Yes. Under the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule, you can buy a casket (or urn) from any seller, including online retailers, and have the funeral home use it. The funeral home cannot refuse to handle it and cannot charge you a fee for doing so, and it cannot require you to be present when the casket is delivered.
Before you buy
- Check delivery timing. Make sure the casket will arrive at the funeral home before the viewing or service. Confirm the funeral home’s address and receiving hours.
- Check the size. Standard, oversize and child caskets differ. Ask the funeral director for the dimensions you need.
- Check cemetery rules. Some cemeteries have requirements on caskets and outer burial containers.
- Compare with the casket price list. The funeral home must show you its casket price list before you see caskets, so you can compare fairly.
- Check the return policy and inspect the casket for damage on arrival.
What does not change
Buying your own casket does not reduce the funeral home’s charges for its services, including the non-declinable basic services fee. Compare the total, not just the casket price.
Related: The General Price List · Funeral costs · Burial
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission, The FTC Funeral Rule and Complying with the Funeral Rule
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws and fees change; confirm details with the agency or a licensed professional. Editorial standards