The General Price List (GPL) is the single most useful document for understanding and comparing funeral costs. The Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule requires every funeral home to have one and give it to you.
Your rights under the FTC Funeral Rule
- Phone prices. A funeral home must give you price information over the phone, and you do not have to give your name or other details first.
- A written GPL to keep when you ask in person about arrangements, goods or services.
- Casket and outer burial container price lists must be shown before you see the merchandise.
- Buy only what you want. Apart from the basic services fee and anything required by law, you can pick items individually rather than as a package.
- Use outside merchandise. You can provide a casket or urn bought elsewhere; the funeral home cannot refuse it or charge a fee.
- Legal requirements in writing. If the funeral home says the law requires you to buy something, it must identify the law in writing.
- An itemized statement of everything you have chosen, with prices and the total, before you pay.
What you will see on a GPL
| Item | What it is |
|---|---|
| Basic services of funeral director and staff | A non-declinable fee covering planning, permits, coordination and overhead |
| Transfer of remains to the funeral home | Bringing your loved one into the funeral home’s care |
| Embalming and other preparation | With a required notice that embalming is not required by law except in special cases |
| Use of facilities and staff | For viewing, funeral ceremony, memorial service, graveside service |
| Vehicles | Hearse, service car or van |
| Direct cremation | A single price, with and without a container you provide |
| Immediate burial | A single price, with options for the container |
| Forwarding or receiving remains | When a death occurs away from where the funeral or burial will be |
| Caskets and outer burial containers | A price range, or a separate price list |
Cash advance items
These are goods or services the funeral home buys from others on your behalf, such as certified death certificates, obituary notices, clergy honoraria, flowers, musicians and cemetery charges. Funeral homes must tell you in writing if they add a service charge to these or receive a refund or discount on them.
Questions to ask about price
- What does each package include, and what would it cost to buy those items individually?
- Which cash advance items should I expect, and what will they cost?
- Are there extra charges for weekends, holidays, mileage or services away from your facility?
- When is payment due, and do you accept insurance assignment?
- Can I take this price list home to compare?
Use our cost planner to organize a planning range, then fill in real prices from each GPL.
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission, The FTC Funeral Rule and Shopping for funeral services
- Federal Trade Commission, 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