Glossary
What is FTC Funeral Rule?
The FTC Funeral Rule is a US Federal Trade Commission regulation that gives consumers rights when buying funeral goods and services. It requires itemized pricing, lets you buy only what you want, and bars certain misrepresentations by funeral homes.
In force since 1984, the Funeral Rule applies to funeral providers that sell both funeral goods and funeral services. Under it, a funeral home must give you a General Price List (GPL) to keep when you ask in person about arrangements, quote prices accurately over the phone, and let you choose individual items rather than only package deals.
The rule also requires a casket price list before you are shown the caskets, lets you supply your own casket or urn without a handling fee, and requires providers offering cremation to make alternative containers available. It bars funeral homes from claiming embalming is legally required when it is not, and from conditioning the sale of one item on buying another.
Some parts of the funeral transaction fall outside the rule. Cemeteries, monument dealers, and third-party sellers that do not also sell funeral services are not always covered, so itemized prices are still worth requesting from them directly.
The rule is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, which conducts undercover compliance sweeps and can penalize violators. Knowing your rights helps you compare providers and avoid paying for goods or services you do not need; keep the price lists you are given as a record of what you were quoted and charged.
Related terms
General Price List
A General Price List, or GPL, is the itemized list of prices a funeral home must provide under the FTC Funeral Rule. It lets you see the cost of each good and service separately so you can compare providers and choose only what you want.
Embalming
Embalming is the temporary preservation of a body by replacing its fluids with chemical solutions that slow decomposition. It is sometimes used before a viewing or for transport, but is rarely required by law and is not necessary for most funerals.
Casket
A casket is the container, traditionally rectangular with a hinged lid, in which a body is buried or sometimes cremated. Caskets are made from wood, metal, or other materials and vary widely in price depending on construction and finish.
Cremation container
A cremation container is the rigid, combustible container that holds the body during cremation. It is usually a simple wood or cardboard box rather than a casket. The FTC Funeral Rule bars funeral homes from requiring you to buy a casket for cremation.
See also
Common questions about FTC Funeral Rule
Sources
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This definition is general information, not legal or financial advice. Laws and prices vary by state and provider. See our editorial standards.