Nobody plans to choose a funeral home on the worst day of their life, but that's when most people do it. Funeral directors know this — and while most are compassionate professionals, some take advantage of grief and urgency to upsell services you don't need.
Here's what you actually need to know.
Your Legal Rights (FTC Funeral Rule)
The Federal Trade Commission's Funeral Rule protects you. Know these rights:
- Itemized price list — every funeral home MUST provide a written, itemized price list when you inquire in person. Phone quotes must also be provided on request
- You can buy only what you want — no package is mandatory. You can select individual services
- Outside caskets and urns are allowed — you can buy a casket from Costco, Amazon, or any retailer. The funeral home CANNOT charge a handling fee for accepting it
- Embalming is NOT required by law in most situations (unless the body is being transported across state lines or the funeral is delayed significantly)
- No "required" services — funeral homes cannot tell you that any particular good or service is legally required when it isn't
Average Costs (2025)
| Service | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic services fee (non-declinable) | $2,500 — $3,500 |
| Embalming | $750 — $1,200 |
| Viewing/visitation | $450 — $750 |
| Funeral ceremony | $500 — $800 |
| Transfer of remains | $350 — $600 |
| Casket | $2,500 — $10,000+ |
| Burial vault/liner | $1,000 — $5,000 |
| Cemetery plot | $1,000 — $4,000 |
| Headstone/marker | $1,000 — $3,000 |
| Cremation (direct, no service) | $1,000 — $3,000 |
| Urn | $50 — $500 |
Questions to Ask Every Funeral Home
- "Can I see your General Price List?" (Required by law — if they hesitate, leave)
- "What is your basic services fee and what does it include?"
- "Is embalming required for the timeline we're considering?"
- "Can we bring our own casket/urn?"
- "What are the least expensive options for [burial/cremation]?"
- "Do you handle insurance assignments?" (Some funeral homes will bill the life insurance directly)
- "What payment plans do you offer?"
- "Can we have a viewing without embalming?" (Refrigeration is an alternative — typically $100—$200/day)
- "What do you charge for death certificates?" (You'll need 10–15 certified copies)
- "Do you help with VA benefits?" (If the deceased was a veteran)
How to Save Money Without Sacrificing Dignity
- Direct cremation ($1,000—$3,000) — cremation without a formal service. You can hold a memorial later at a venue of your choice
- Direct burial ($2,000—$4,000) — burial without embalming or a formal viewing
- Buy the casket separately — Costco caskets are $1,000—$3,000. Same quality, fraction of the price
- Skip the vault — not legally required in most states (some cemeteries require them, but a vault liner at $1,000 serves the same purpose as a $5,000 vault)
- Negotiate — yes, you can negotiate funeral costs. Especially if you're paying in cash or if the funeral home has available capacity
- Check for assistance — FEMA Funeral Assistance (disaster/COVID deaths), state victim compensation funds (crime-related deaths), union benefits, church/community funds
Red Flags
- 🚩 Won't provide a written price list
- 🚩 Pressures you to make decisions "right now"
- 🚩 Implies embalming is legally required when it's not
- 🚩 Refuses to accept an outside casket
- 🚩 Pushes expensive packages as the "standard" or "what most families choose"
- 🚩 Won't let you see the least expensive options
- 🚩 Makes you feel guilty for asking about costs
Special Situations
After a Traumatic Death
If the death involved trauma (accident, homicide, suicide), discuss with the funeral director whether a viewing is possible and what preparation would involve. In some cases, restorative work can make viewing possible. In others, a closed casket or memorial with photos may be more appropriate.
After Decomposition
If the body was not discovered for an extended period, cremation is often recommended. Discuss options honestly with the funeral director.
Veteran Benefits
- Free burial in a VA national cemetery (includes grave, headstone, burial)
- $300 burial allowance (non-service-connected death)
- $2,000+ for service-connected death
- Presidential Memorial Certificate
- Burial flag
Take Your Time
You do NOT need to choose a funeral home within hours. The body is with the medical examiner or at a hospital — it's safe. Take 24–48 hours to make calls, get quotes, and involve family in decisions. The urgency you feel is real, but it's emotional, not practical.
Dealing with the practical aftermath of a death? Our directory connects you with vetted professionals — from cleanup companies to estate attorneys. Call (855) 566-2405 for immediate help.