For anyone experiencing the loss of a loved one or beginning to plan a funeral –especially for the first time– this task can feel exceptionally daunting. You may not know what the process looks like, what to expect from funeral homes, or that you have protected rights when it comes to funeral planning. 

Whether you’re planning for a loved one or you’re pre-planning for your own end-of-life arrangements, having this information before starting the process can help you make informed decisions about the products and services you choose. 

 

Here are seven essential insights we think funeral homes might not want you to know: 

    

1. If you don't buy products from funeral homes and opt to shop online instead, you can save up to 70% on memorial products like cremation urns, urn pendants, memorial keepsakes, cremation jewelry and more.

  

2. Buying memorial products online also allows you to take more time to decide; without the pressure of in-store sales or limited time with a funeral director.

  

3. Funeral homes cannot require you to purchase an urn from them. You can supply your own, or even use the same container in which the crematory returns the ashes. (This container is acceptable for shipping, storing, burial, and even for placing in a columbarium.) 

  

4. Similarly, you have the right to buy a casket from another company, and the funeral director is required by law to accept it. It is illegal for them to  charge a “handling fee.” 

  

5. Funeral directors are required by law to give you a general price list (whether you ask over the phone or visit in person). They also cannot require that you give any personal information before disclosing their prices. 

  

6. The Federal Trade Commission enforces the “Funeral Rule”, which guarantees your right to buy only the goods and services that you want. In other words, you do not have to purchase a package that includes anything you don’t want (i.e. embalming, use of a hearse, a funeral service, etc.) 

  

7. Some states have Funeral Consumers Alliance affiliates that have conducted price comparison surveys of nearby funeral homes. Using these surveys to easily compare prices can save you time and money. Click here to see if your area has any available price surveys.