How to Choose a Funeral Home: A Family's Guide
By CRYSTAL BAI •
The short answer: Choosing a funeral home is one of the first and most consequential decisions families make after a death — often while in shock and grief. Knowing what to look for, what to ask, and your consumer rights helps families make informed decisions.
The Funeral Home Decision
Families typically choose a funeral home within hours of a death — often while in acute grief, without comparison shopping, and without adequate knowledge of their rights. The funeral industry is largely unregulated at the state level (beyond basic licensing), and prices vary enormously. Armed with information, families can make choices that honor their loved one without financial exploitation.
Your Rights: The FTC Funeral Rule
The Federal Trade Commission's Funeral Rule (1984, revised 1994) gives you the right to:
- Receive an itemized price list (General Price List — funeral homes must provide this)
- Choose only the services you want — no required packages
- Purchase a casket elsewhere and have the funeral home use it (no substitution fee allowed)
- Receive a specific price over the phone for any service
- Receive a written statement of all charges before any service
What to Look for in a Funeral Home
Price transparency: Ask for the General Price List before discussing anything else. Compare prices among multiple funeral homes.
Services offered: Does the funeral home offer the specific services you need (home funerals, green burial, direct cremation, religious traditions)?
Cultural competency: If your family has specific cultural or religious requirements, does this funeral home have experience with them?
Staff and atmosphere: You'll be working with these people during an extremely difficult time — comfort and trust matter.
Questions to Ask
What is your General Price List? What is your most affordable option? Do you work with families planning green burial? Do you have experience with [specific tradition]? Can families bring their own casket? Do you support home funerals?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FTC Funeral Rule?
The FTC Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to provide itemized price lists, allow you to choose only the services you want, accept outside caskets without a fee, and provide written price statements before services. It's your legal protection as a consumer.
How much does a funeral home cost?
Costs vary significantly by location and services. Direct cremation (simplest option) runs $700–$3,000. Full-service funeral with burial averages $7,000–$12,000. Always ask for the General Price List and compare at least 2-3 funeral homes.
Can I bring my own casket to a funeral home?
Yes — the FTC Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to accept caskets purchased elsewhere without adding a handling fee. Caskets can be purchased online (Costco, Amazon, specialty retailers) for significantly less than funeral home prices.
What should I ask when calling funeral homes?
Ask: What is your price for direct cremation? For a full-service funeral? What does your General Price List show? Do you accept outside caskets? Do you have experience with [our religious/cultural tradition]? Can families participate in body preparation?
Renidy connects grieving families with compassionate death doulas and AI-powered funeral planning tools. Try our free AI funeral planner or find a death doula near you.