How to Choose a Funeral Home: What to Look For and What to Avoid

Choosing a funeral home is a decision that's usually made within hours of a death — under emotional duress, with little time to research. Knowing what to look for, what your rights are, and what questions to ask can help you make a decision you'll feel good about and avoid overpaying.

You Have Legal Rights: The FTC Funeral Rule

The FTC Funeral Rule is a federal regulation that protects consumers dealing with funeral homes. Key rights:

Phone pricing: You can get itemized prices over the phone. No reputable funeral home can require you to come in before discussing costs.
General Price List: You must receive a detailed written price list at the start of any in-person meeting.
No required packages: You have the right to purchase only what you want, not a mandated package.
Own casket: You may provide a casket from an outside source. The funeral home may charge a handling fee but must disclose it.
Embalming: Almost never legally required. Funeral homes must tell you if it's not required in your situation.

How to Compare Funeral Homes

The most important step most families skip: call 2–3 funeral homes and compare prices for the same services. Prices for equivalent services can vary by thousands of dollars. Specifically compare:

Basic services fee (non-declinable overhead charge)
Transportation of remains
Embalming (if desired)
Casket or urn cost (ask for mid-range options)
Death certificate filing fees
Facilities use (for viewing, services)

Questions to Ask a Funeral Home

Can you give me an itemized price list right now?
Are there any fees I cannot decline?
Can I purchase a casket from an outside source, and what is your handling fee?
Is embalming required in this situation?
What does your death certificate service include, and how many copies will you order?
Are you licensed and in good standing with the state funeral board?
Do you have a crematory on-site, or do you contract with an outside provider?

Pre-Need Planning

Pre-arranging your own funeral — specifying your preferences and potentially prepaying — can spare your family from having to make difficult decisions under emotional pressure. If you prepay, understand: where the funds are held (typically required to be in a state-supervised trust); what happens if the funeral home goes out of business; and whether the contract is portable if you move. Pre-need contracts are regulated by state law, which varies significantly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What rights do I have when dealing with a funeral home?

The FTC Funeral Rule (16 CFR Part 453) is a federal regulation that gives consumers specific rights when dealing with funeral homes: (1) You must be given itemized price information over the telephone when you call to ask — funeral homes cannot require you to come in before disclosing prices; (2) You must be given a General Price List (GPL) when you visit in person, before any discussion of arrangements; (3) You have the right to select only the goods and services you want — the funeral home cannot require you to purchase a "package" and refuse to sell items individually; (4) You have the right to provide your own casket from another source, and the funeral home cannot charge a handling fee just for accepting it (they can charge a fee, but must disclose it in writing); (5) Funeral homes must disclose third-party charges (like death certificates, cemetery fees, obituary costs) and may not mark them up without disclosure; (6) Embalming is almost never legally required — if a funeral home says otherwise, verify with your state law. Keep a copy of all itemized agreements and never sign a contract you haven't reviewed.

What are the biggest mistakes people make when choosing a funeral home?

The most common and costly mistakes: (1) Not shopping around — people often go to the first funeral home they think of (usually one they've heard of, or the one the hospital suggests) without comparing prices. The FTC Funeral Rule gives you the right to get prices by phone — call 2–3 providers and compare. Price differences for equivalent services can be $3,000–$8,000 or more. (2) Not asking for an itemized price list — accepting a "package" price without understanding what's included. Ask for the General Price List and go through it line by line. (3) Purchasing more than needed — funeral homes are retail businesses, and upselling is common. A tasteful, dignified service does not require the most expensive casket or every available add-on. (4) Not knowing the deceased's wishes — making decisions the deceased would not have wanted, which creates regret. If you're pre-planning, document your preferences. (5) Signing paperwork immediately under emotional pressure — if possible, bring a calm family member or friend to any arrangement meeting.

What is the difference between a funeral home and a direct cremation provider?

A traditional funeral home offers the full range of funeral services: body transport and preparation, embalming, viewing and visitation, funeral service, graveside service, and death certificate filing. They may also sell caskets, urns, and memorial merchandise. A direct cremation provider (also called a "simple cremation" or "immediate cremation" provider) offers a more limited service: they transport the body, file the death certificate, perform the cremation, and return the ashes — without a viewing, embalming, or formal service. Direct cremation providers typically charge significantly less ($700–$2,500 vs. $8,000–$15,000 for a full-service funeral) because they offer fewer services. A memorial service or celebration of life can still be held separately — at a church, a park, or a family home — after a direct cremation, and that service can be just as meaningful as one arranged through a traditional funeral home. Many families who choose direct cremation find that separating the logistics of the cremation from the memorial service gives them more flexibility and less time pressure.