Funeral director
Also called: mortician, undertaker
The licensed professional who coordinates arrangements, files the paperwork, oversees care of the body, and runs the service. Also called a mortician or undertaker.
A funeral director is licensed by the state and handles the logistics families rarely want to think about: transporting the body, filing the death certificate, securing permits, coordinating with the cemetery or crematory, and directing the service. In smaller firms the same person may also be the embalmer; in larger ones the roles are separate.
A good director lays out options and prices plainly and respects the choices you make, including the cheaper ones. The Funeral Rule requires them to give you an itemized price list and to let you choose only the goods and services you want.
- Embalmer— The licensed professional who performs embalming — the chemical preservation of a body. May or may not be the same person as the funeral director.
- Non-declinable basic services fee— The one fee a funeral home is allowed to charge every family regardless of what services they pick. Covers overhead — facility, staff time, paperwork.
- GPL (General Price List)— The itemized price list every funeral home in the US must hand you when you ask in person. They must also answer price questions over the phone. (Federal law does not yet require them to email it or post it online — though good homes do.)
This definition is general consumer information, not legal, medical, or financial advice. Industry practices and regulations change occasionally; verify before relying on anything here for a specific decision.
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