In October 2026, confirmed U.S. funeral rights center on written price lists and freedom to choose only wanted services. Mandatory online prices and wider cemetery coverage remain proposals with no final federal rule adopted.
The core protection is the FTC Funeral Rule, 16 CFR Part 453. This federal rule applies to funeral providers selling goods and services. It sets price disclosure and fair-choice standards families use when planning burial or cremation.
Table of Contents
- What price information can you request?
- What purchases can you decline?
- Can you shop elsewhere for a casket?
- What is still not required online?
- Where do cemeteries and prepaid plans fit?
What price information can you request?
The Federal Trade Commission requires providers to give in-person shoppers a keepable General Price List, as detailed in its Funeral Rule overview. Staff must show casket and outer burial container price lists before you view those items. Take the lists home and compare totals across providers.
You can also learn prices by phone without visiting in person. The Federal Trade Commission requires accurate telephone price information on request, as stated in its January 2024 phone-sweep announcement. Providers may not require an in-person visit to share prices.
What purchases can you decline?
Federal Trade Commission compliance guidance says families may buy only wanted goods and services, explained in its Funeral Rule compliance guide. Providers may not require a casket for direct cremation. They may not condition one purchase on another.
The July 2026 US Funerals Online update notes no federal law requires embalming. The Rule requires written disclosure of that fact and when embalming is or is not required. Refuse any embalming charge you did not approve in writing.
Can you shop elsewhere for a casket?
Federal Trade Commission materials state funeral homes must accept a casket bought elsewhere. They may not refuse service or add a handling fee because you supplied the casket. This lets families compare retail, online, or family-built options.
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Federal Trade Commission materials state cremation providers must offer an inexpensive alternative container. Ask for that container price before you consider a full casket for cremation. It can lower costs when no viewing with a casket is planned.
What is still not required online?
Federal law does not yet require funeral homes to publish prices online. The 2026 Funeral Cost Analyzer guide says online-price and cemetery proposals remained under review, described in its guide to 16 CFR Part 453. No final rule had been adopted.
Enforcement of current rules remains active. The International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association reported the FTC called more than 250 homes and sent 39 warning letters in January 2024. Those letters cited missing or inaccurate phone prices.
Where do cemeteries and prepaid plans fit?
The April 2026 US Funerals Online update notes cemeteries selling only burial plots or state-regulated services fall generally outside the Funeral Rule. Prepaid trust rules, licensing, and refund rights also depend on state law.
This gap matters when burial and funeral charges come from different businesses. Use these checks before you sign any funeral or cemetery contract. They help separate federal rights from state-controlled terms:.
- Get an itemized written statement before you sign or pay
- Confirm prepaid cancellation and refund terms in writing
- Verify cemetery and preneed rules with your state attorney general
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