Can a Funeral Home Charge a Fee for a Casket You Bought Elsewhere

No, a funeral home cannot charge an extra fee because you bought a casket somewhere else. That kind of handling, inspection, or acceptance fee for a third-party casket is barred under the Federal Trade Commission's Funeral Rule.

A casket is the container that holds the body for viewing, burial, or cremation. Families may buy one from an online seller, warehouse store, or independent casket maker. The funeral home must accept it without penalty.

Table of Contents

• What the rule says about outside caskets
• Which charges you still have to pay
• How to arrange delivery without trouble
• What to do if a funeral home adds a fee

What the rule says about outside caskets

Under the FTC's Funeral Rule, a funeral home cannot require you to buy a casket from its own stock. It also cannot charge a fee for handling a casket you bought elsewhere. The protection applies whether the casket is new or used for display only.

The funeral home also cannot refuse to serve you because you supplied your own casket. It cannot add conditions that apply only to outside caskets. The same basic service must be available on the same terms.

Which charges you still have to pay

You still owe the normal charges that every family pays for the services you choose. Under the FTC's Funeral Rule, these include items such as the basic services fee, transportation, refrigeration or shelter, and preparation of the body.

Those charges must be the same whether the casket came from the funeral home or another seller. The difference is that no added line item can punish the outside purchase. An itemized statement should show service fees, with no surcharge tied to where you bought the casket.

How to arrange delivery without trouble

Tell the funeral home early that you will supply your own casket. Ask where and when the seller should deliver it, and who will receive it.

Get that plan in writing. Check fit before delivery when burial will use a vault or oversized case. A short call between the seller and funeral director can prevent delay at a viewing or service.

• Confirm the delivery address, hours, and contact name
• Confirm size and fit for burial vault, grave, or crematory
• Ask the seller about delivery timing and damage replacement
• Keep the receipt, model details, and delivery tracking

What to do if a funeral home adds a fee

Ask for a written, itemized price list and a written statement of goods and services selected. Under the FTC's Funeral Rule, providers must give clear, itemized prices before you decide. Look for terms such as handling fee, inspection fee, outside-container fee, or casket surcharge.

Ask the manager to remove the charge and to note the change in writing. If the business refuses, consider contacting another funeral home and comparing written quotes. You can also report the charge to the FTC and your state funeral licensing board.

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