Questions to ask a funeral home before you decide.
You may be making expensive decisions while tired or grieving. A written question list helps you compare what is actually included, what is optional, and what another provider would charge.
Ask for the General Price List, the total price for the arrangement you are considering, what is not included, and which items are legally required versus optional. In the United States, the FTC Funeral Rule gives consumers specific price and choice rights.
What is your basic services fee, and what exactly does it include?
Ask what planning, permits, coordination, sheltering of remains and other services are included before comparing totals.
Can I have your General Price List to keep?
The FTC says a funeral home must give you an itemized General Price List when you ask in person about arrangements, and must provide price information by phone when asked.
What will the total be for the arrangement we are discussing?
Ask for a written itemized statement, not only a package price.
Which items are required by law, cemetery or crematory rules, and which are optional?
Ask the provider to identify the actual requirement rather than simply saying an item is “necessary.”
Is embalming required for what we want to do?
Routine embalming is not required by law in every situation. Ask about refrigeration and arrangements such as direct cremation or immediate burial.
What are the direct cremation and immediate burial options?
Ask what each option includes, the container requirements and every additional fee.
Can we provide our own casket or urn?
Under the FTC Funeral Rule, a funeral provider generally cannot refuse or charge an extra handling fee solely because you bought a casket or urn elsewhere.
What third-party or cash-advance charges should we expect?
Examples can include cemetery, crematory, obituary, permits, flowers, musicians or clergy. Ask whether the funeral home adds a service fee.
How many certified death certificates do people commonly request, and what is the local price?
The right number depends on the estate and institutions involved. Use our tracker rather than ordering a large number automatically.
Who owns this funeral home?
If local or independent ownership matters to you, the FTC specifically suggests asking because some local-looking funeral homes are owned by larger companies.