Funeral Homes Must Be Upfront About Prices

<img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dcr-apis/wp_contents/uploads/DCR-ADMIN/funeral.jpeg" alt="undefined" style="height: ;width: "/> If you have to shop for funeral services, it’s important to know how the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule protects you. Most importantly, funeral homes are legally required to tell you about their price lists when you inquire by phone or online. However, in a recent undercover sweep, the FTC found that many places gave inaccurate information or none at all. <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/system/files/consumer_ftc_gov/pdf/1020A_Shopping%20for%20Funeral%20Services%20by%20phone%20or%20online.pdf" target="_blank">The FTC has created a guide</a> to help consumers when they’re making funeral arrangements. Here are some things to know. When you call a funeral home, they must answer questions about their offerings and prices. <ul> <li>When you ask a funeral home about a service (direct cremation, for example), make sure to ask what’s included in the price.</li> <li>Ask if there will be other costs for things like transportation, death certificates or obituaries.</li> <li>They should let you take your time. It’s OK to ask them to slow down, explain or repeat something.</li> </ul> Ask a funeral home to send you an email or text with information about their prices, services and merchandise. Funeral homes aren’t required to send this information, but many will be happy to. If you don’t want to go in person, tell a funeral home that you want to make plans without visiting. If a funeral home won’t send you information about their prices, services and merchandise, find a different business. You can buy a casket, a cremation container or an urn online. The funeral home can’t charge a fee for using your item. You might have to pay fees because of state or local laws. A funeral home must list legally required items and their associated costs on the written statement that it gives you. Some funeral homes offer discounted package funerals, but you don’t have to buy a package that includes items you don’t want. Ask about itemized prices. The funeral home must let you buy only the services you want and need. <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/" target="_self">Use Diamond Certified Resource to find top rated companies</a> Local, Top Rated Diamond Certified Companies Related to Your Topic <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/san-mateo-funeral-services/" target="_self">San Mateo County Funeral Service Companies</a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/san-francisco-funeral-services/" target="_self">San Francisco Funeral Service Companies</a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/santa-clara-funeral-services/" target="_self">Santa Clara County Funeral Service Companies</a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/alameda-county-funeral-services/" target="_self">Alameda County Funeral Service Companies</a>  Related Articles <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/Guide/funerals-and-memorials/" target="_self">The Essential Guide to Funerals & Memorials</a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/find-expert-advice/" target="_self">Get Expert Advice From Owners of Top Rated Local Companies</a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/membership/" target="_self">Become a Diamond Certified Preferred Member (Always Free)</a>