How to Shop for Funeral Homes

Most of us shop around for a car or a roof. Hardly anybody shops for a funeral home until they’re forced to do it in a hurry. Here’s how to do it calmly, and what your rights are.

Why I care about this one

When my father passed, I learned firsthand how many decisions a family has to make in just a few days: choosing a funeral home, comparing prices and services, figuring out what to ask, all while grieving. Going through that showed me how much easier those days can be with a little planning ahead. It’s a big part of why I do this work today.

So here’s what I’ve learned about comparing funeral homes, including asking about pricing and whether a home will match another’s price.

Know your rights: the FTC Funeral Rule

The Federal Trade Commission enforces a rule that protects you when you deal with a funeral home. Under the Funeral Rule, you have the right to:

• Get a written, itemized General Price List when you visit in person. It’s yours to keep.
• Get price information over the phone, without giving your name or number first.
• Buy only what you want. You don’t have to accept a package that includes things you don’t want.
• See casket prices before you see the caskets, so you can ask about lower-priced options that may not be on display.
• Supply your own casket or urn bought somewhere else. The funeral home can’t refuse it or charge you a fee for using it.
• Use an alternative container for cremation instead of a casket.
• Get a written statement of everything you selected and its price before you pay.

You can read the full list on the FTC’s website: FTC: The Funeral Rule. Laws on things like embalming and burial vary by state, so ask the funeral home to point out anything that’s legally required where you live.

Shop before you need to

The FTC recommends comparing prices from at least two funeral homes, and shopping ahead of time if you can (FTC: Shopping for Funeral Services). Shopping ahead gives you time to think, talk it over with family, and make choices you’re comfortable with. Not choices made at 2 a.m. in the hospital parking lot.

Questions to ask every funeral home

• May I have your General Price List?
• What is your basic services fee, and what does it cover?
• What does your most basic burial or cremation option cost, all in?
• What items in this package can I remove?
• What are the “cash advance” items (flowers, obituary, certified death certificates) and their prices?
• Are there lower-priced caskets or urns not on display?
• Do you offer private family viewing, and is embalming required for it?
• Do you ever match or adjust pricing if another home quotes less?
• What happens to a prepaid arrangement if we move away?

Can you negotiate or ask for a price match?

You can always ask. Some funeral homes have set prices and won’t move. Others may be willing to work with you, or match a written quote from another home, especially for services rather than merchandise. There’s no rule that requires them to match, so the honest answer is: it depends on the home. Having a second General Price List in hand gives you something concrete to talk about, and it’s much easier to do when you’re not in a rush.

Watch out for these

• Pressure to decide today. A good funeral director will give you time.
• Guilt-based upselling, meaning the idea that spending more shows more love. The FTC specifically warns against emotional overspending.
• Packages you don’t fully understand. Compare each line to the General Price List.
• “Protective” caskets or vaults sold with promises about preserving the body. Ask for any claims in writing.
• Prepaid plans without clear refund terms. Read the contract and know what happens if plans change.

A simple comparison worksheet

Item	Funeral Home A	Funeral Home B
Basic services fee
Transfer of remains
Embalming / preparation
Viewing & ceremony
Casket or urn
Cremation fee (if any)
Cash advance items
Total

Print this out, take it with you, and fill it in from each home’s price list.

Write it down and tell someone

Once you know what you want and where, write it down and tell the person who will handle things. Our free Gavrel Family Planning Kit has a section for exactly this.

And if you’re also thinking about how the bill gets paid, I’m glad to go over options like final expense insurance with you. Coverage, pricing, and eligibility vary by age, health, state, and insurance carrier. No pressure. Just answers.

This article is for general educational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Coverage, pricing, and availability vary by age, health, state, and carrier.

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