How to ask a funeral home for its prices.
You can ask any funeral home for its prices yourself. The law is on your side, and it only takes a few questions. Here’s what the law gives you, what to say, and what to ask for.
Four things to know before you ask.
- On the phone
- A funeral home must answer your questions about what it offers and what it costs. You don't have to give your name, address, or phone number first.
- In person
- If you visit and ask about funeral services or prices, the home must give you its General Price List. It lists each item and service and what each one costs. The list is yours to keep.
- Caskets and vaults
- Before it shows you any caskets, the home must show you a written casket price list. The same goes for outer burial containers, like vaults and grave liners. The home only has to show you these two lists, not give you a copy, so write down the prices you need.
- By email or text
- The Funeral Rule doesn't make a funeral home send prices by email or text. Many homes will if you ask. If one won't, call or visit.
Call and ask. Here’s what to say.
- “Hi. I'd like to ask about your prices for [a direct cremation / a funeral with burial].”
- “What's included in that price?”
- “Will there be other costs, like transportation, death certificates, or an obituary?”
- “Can you email or text me your General Price List?”
- “Thank you. I'm calling a few homes. I'll call back if I have questions.”
- You don't have to give your name first.
- If a home won't give you prices on the phone, you can look elsewhere.
- Write down each home's answers so you can compare them later.
Ask for these three lists by name.
- The General Price List. Ask for it before you talk about anything else. It's yours to keep.
- The casket price list. Ask to see it before you look at any caskets.
- The outer burial container price list. Ask to see it before you look at vaults or grave liners.
An email you can send.
Subject: Price list request
Hello, I'm comparing funeral homes for [a direct cremation / a funeral with burial]. Could you send me your General Price List? If you have a price for that service, please tell me what it includes. Please also list any other costs, like transportation or death certificates. Thank you, [Your name]
A funeral home doesn't have to answer by email, but many will. If one doesn't reply, call instead.
You never have to decide on the first call.
- A price call is just a question. You can say thank you and hang up.
- The home should let you take your time. It's OK to ask them to slow down, explain, or repeat something.
- Compare at least two funeral homes before you choose.
Got a price list? Check it for free.
Our quote checker compares each line with typical prices for your area. No account needed.
Sources: the Federal Trade Commission’s own pages on the Funeral Rule (16 CFR Part 453): The FTC Funeral Rule; Shopping for Funeral Services by Phone or Online; Shopping for Funeral Services; Complying with the Funeral Rule (the FTC's guide for funeral homes).
This page is general consumer information, not legal advice. Some states add their own rules on top of the FTC Funeral Rule. See also what you can decline.
Stuck or have a question? support@honestfuneral.co