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Know Your Rights. Know Your Costs. Know Before You Need To.

The complete family guide to funeral planning, pricing, and legal protections — written for adult children, widows, and pre-planners who deserve clear answers before the hardest day arrives.

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FTC Rule

16 C.F.R. Part 453

VA Form

40-1330 Covered

3 Documents

In one printable folder

No Phone

No pressure, ever

Expert Perspectives

The information you needed before you needed it.

Licensed Funeral Director · 22 Years

The FTC Funeral Rule: What Every Family Is Entitled To

\u2014 Margaret Holloway, CFSP

Every funeral home in America is legally required to hand you a General Price List the moment you walk through the door — or read every price aloud if you call. Most families never know to ask.

The Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule (16 C.F.R. Part 453) has been federal law since 1984. It requires funeral providers to give you an itemized General Price List (GPL) upon request — in person, by phone, or by mail. You are under no obligation to purchase a package.

The Rule also prohibits funeral homes from requiring you to purchase a casket from them, from misrepresenting legal embalming requirements (which are rarely mandatory), and from adding handling fees for caskets purchased elsewhere. Violations carry civil penalties up to $50,120 per infraction.

When you call a funeral home, say exactly this: "I’d like to request your General Price List as required by the FTC Funeral Rule." They must comply. If they hesitate, that tells you something important about how they’ll treat you during arrangements.

Estate Planning Attorney · Member, NAELA

Pre-Need Trusts, Funeral Contracts, and the Money You're Owed

\u2014 David Okonkwo, J.D.

A pre-need funeral contract is a legal document. Before you sign, you need to know whether your money is held in a state-regulated trust, what happens if the funeral home closes, and whether the price is guaranteed.

Pre-need arrangements allow you to plan and pay for your funeral in advance, locking in today's prices and relieving your family of future decisions. But not all contracts are equal. Most states require funeral homes to place 75–100% of pre-need funds in a state-regulated trust account — but the percentage, portability rules, and refund rights vary significantly by state.

Before signing any pre-need contract, ask three questions: (1) Is the price guaranteed regardless of when I die? (2) What happens to my funds if this funeral home is sold or closes? (3) Can I transfer this contract to another funeral home if I move? A reputable director will answer all three without hesitation.

If a loved one died with a pre-need contract in place, request a copy immediately. The funeral home is legally obligated to honor it. If they suggest the contract 'doesn't cover' certain items, ask them to show you that language in writing — and compare it against your state's pre-need regulations.

Accredited VA Claims Agent · Former VSO Officer

VA Burial Benefits: What Every Veteran's Family Receives

\u2014 Colonel (Ret.) James Beaumont

The burial allowance, the presidential memorial certificate, the flag — these are not gifts. They are earned benefits. But the VA will not automatically send them. Someone in the family must file within two years of death.

Veterans who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable are entitled to burial benefits that most families never fully claim. The burial allowance for a service-connected death is currently $2,000. For non-service-connected deaths, the allowance is $948 if the veteran was receiving VA care, or $300 otherwise — plus a $948 plot allowance if burial is not in a national cemetery.

National cemetery burial is available at no cost for eligible veterans, spouses, and dependents. To apply, VA Form 40-1330 (Claim for Standard Government Headstone or Marker) must be submitted. The Presidential Memorial Certificate — a signed certificate from the President — is requested separately via VA Form 40-0247.

File VA Form 21P-530EZ (Application for Burial Benefits) within two years of the veteran's death. You will need the DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty). If you cannot locate the DD-214, request it through the National Archives at archives.gov/veterans — allow 90 days minimum.

Pricing Transparency

What families actually pay — and what they don't have to.

The following ranges reflect national data from FTC-reported General Price Lists. Your local funeral home's GPL will show their specific prices. You have the legal right to receive that list — and to purchase only the items you choose.

Already know what you need? Request Our General Price List — it's your FTC-protected right, and it costs nothing.

Basic Services of Funeral Director & Staff

Required for all arrangements. Cannot be declined.

Basic Services Fee (non-declinable)
$695–$1,850$1,195
EmbalmingRarely legally required
$395–$895$595
Other Preparation (dressing, cosmetology)
$150–$375$245

Caskets & Containers

You may purchase a casket from a third party. The funeral home cannot charge a handling fee.

Immediate burial container (cardboard)
$95–$250$145
Cremation casket (wood)
$595–$1,400$875
Hardwood casket (oak/cherry)
$1,800–$6,500$3,200
Bronze/copper casket
$4,500–$12,000$7,800

Services & Facilities

All itemized. You pay only for what you select.

Graveside service only
$295–$695$450
Funeral ceremony at funeral home
$395–$995$650
Visitation / viewing (per day)
$250–$650$425
Memorial service (no body present)
$250–$595$395

Cash Advance Items

Third-party costs. You should receive receipts for all.

Cemetery opening & closing fee
$650–$2,400$1,200
Death certificates (each)
$10–$28$18
Obituary (newspaper, varies by length)
$0–$600$150
Flowers (family arrangements)
$200–$800$425

Source note: Ranges compiled from FTC-reported GPL surveys, NFDA annual cremation and burial reports (2022–2024), and direct funeral home disclosures. Prices vary by geography, service provider, and year. Always request and compare itemized General Price Lists from local providers before making arrangements.

Legal Protections

Six rights every family already has — and rarely exercises.

The Right to an Itemized Price List

Any funeral home must provide a General Price List upon request, in person or by phone. You may not be required to purchase a package — every item must be available individually.

FTC Funeral Rule § 453.2(b)

The Right to Provide Your Own Casket

You may purchase a casket from any source — online, from a casket retailer, from another funeral home. The funeral home must accept it and may not charge a handling fee.

FTC Funeral Rule § 453.4(b)(1)

The Right to Decline Embalming

Embalming is rarely required by law. Most states require it only for transport across state lines or when burial is delayed beyond 24–48 hours. You may decline unless legally required.

FTC Funeral Rule § 453.3(b)

The Right to a Written Statement of Goods

Before final payment, you must receive an itemized written statement listing every good and service you've selected and the price of each. Review it carefully before signing.

FTC Funeral Rule § 453.2(f)

The Right to Pre-Need Portability

In most states, you may transfer a pre-need contract to another funeral home if you move or are dissatisfied. Ask your state's pre-need regulations — and ask before you sign.

State law varies — confirm with your state insurance commissioner

The Right to VA Burial Benefits

Eligible veterans' families may claim burial allowances, national cemetery burial, a government headstone, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate. File within two years of death.

38 U.S.C. § 2302; VA Form 21P-530EZ

The Arrangement Conference Checklist

When you sit down with a funeral director, you'll be asked to make dozens of decisions under emotional duress. This checklist ensures nothing is overlooked — and nothing is added that you didn't choose.

Download the complete checklist →

Before You Leave the Arrangement Office

Received and reviewed the General Price List

Selected only itemized services, not a package

Confirmed embalming is or is not legally required

Discussed casket sourcing options

Asked about pre-need contract transfer rights

Confirmed all cash advance items are receipted

Received written itemized statement before signing

Asked about Veterans benefits if applicable

Veterans Affairs

Benefits earned in service. Claimed by the family.

The burial allowance, the presidential memorial certificate, the flag — these are not gifts. They are earned benefits. But the VA will not automatically send them. Someone in the family must file within two years of death.

— Colonel (Ret.) James Beaumont, Accredited VA Claims Agent

Burial Allowance

Up to $2,000

For service-connected deaths. Non-service-connected deaths: up to $948 with VA care, $300 otherwise. Plus a $948 plot allowance if not buried in a national cemetery.

VA Form 21P-530EZ

National Cemetery Burial

At No Cost

Eligible veterans, spouses, and dependents may be buried in one of 155 national cemeteries. Includes opening/closing, liner, marker, and perpetual care.

Contact National Cemetery Scheduling Office

Government Headstone or Marker

Provided Free

A government-furnished headstone, marker, or niche cover for eligible veterans buried in any cemetery — national, state, or private.

VA Form 40-1330

Presidential Memorial Certificate

Issued Free

An engraved certificate bearing the President's signature, expressing the nation's gratitude for the veteran's service. Request for all eligible veterans.

VA Form 40-0247

Critical Document

DD-214

The DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is required for nearly every VA benefit claim. If you cannot locate it, request a copy through the National Archives at archives.gov/veterans. Allow a minimum of 90 days for processing. Request it as soon as possible — before you need it under time pressure.

Download our VA Benefits Summary with form links →

Free Resource

The Family Planning Folder. Everything in one place.

Three printable documents that give any family — adult children managing from another state, widows filing for the first time, pre-planners who want it settled — a clear, competent foundation for every decision ahead.

What's Inside

01

Pricing Comparison Worksheet

A side-by-side table for comparing itemized General Price Lists from multiple funeral homes. Includes a column for the FTC-mandated items and a notes field for each.

02

Arrangement Conference Checklist

28 questions to ask before signing anything — from embalming requirements to cash advance receipts to pre-need portability rights.

03

Legal Rights Summary

A one-page plain-language summary of the FTC Funeral Rule, pre-need trust protections, and VA burial benefit filing deadlines. Print it. Bring it to the arrangement conference.

Already know what you need? Every family has the FTC-protected right to receive a General Price List. Request Our General Price List — no obligation, no phone call required.

Download the Folder

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