Print this worksheet: Press Ctrl+P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+P (Mac) and select “Save as PDF” or print directly. The comparison table includes blank fields for writing in prices from each funeral home’s General Price List. For best results, print in landscape orientation.

Funeral Cost Comparison Worksheet (2026)

Reviewed: February 2026 Sources: NFDA, FTC, FCA Editorial: Our Standards

This worksheet helps you compare prices from multiple funeral homes side by side. Before your first call, review the FTC Funeral Rule so you understand your rights. Then request a General Price List (GPL) from each funeral home and use this worksheet to record and compare the costs.

The FTC Funeral Rule & General Price Lists

What Is the FTC Funeral Rule?

The Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule (16 CFR Part 453) is a federal regulation that protects consumers shopping for funeral services. It has been in effect since 1984 and applies to all funeral providers in the United States. The rule requires funeral homes to:

  • Provide a General Price List (GPL) to anyone who asks, whether in person or over the phone, without requiring your name or any commitment.
  • Itemize all services and products with individual prices so you can select only the items you want.
  • Accept caskets and urns purchased elsewhere without charging a handling fee or refusing service.
  • Not require embalming unless state law mandates it for specific circumstances (most do not).
  • Not misrepresent legal requirements — for example, they cannot claim a casket is required for cremation (it is not) or that embalming is always required by law.

For complete details, see our FTC Funeral Rule Guide.

How to use this worksheet: Call or visit at least three funeral homes. Ask for their General Price List. Transfer the prices for each line item into the columns below. The “National Average” column provides a benchmark so you can see whether each provider’s prices are above or below the norm.

Provider Information

Record the basic details for each funeral home you are comparing.

         
         
         

Price Comparison Table

Fill in the prices from each funeral home’s General Price List. The national average column is provided for reference based on 2026 NFDA data.

Service / Item National Avg. Provider 1 Provider 2 Provider 3
Professional Services
Basic services feeNon-declinable; includes coordination, paperwork, overhead $2,300      
Transfer of remains to funeral homeIncludes first call, vehicle, and staff $400      
EmbalmingNot legally required in most states $775      
Other body preparationDressing, cosmetics, hair styling, casketing $275      
Facilities & Ceremonies
Viewing / visitationUse of facilities and staff $450      
Funeral ceremonyUse of facilities and staff for service $525      
Memorial serviceService without body present $525      
Graveside serviceStaff and equipment at cemetery $400      
Transportation
Hearse / funeral coachTransport to cemetery or crematory $350      
Service vehicle / family carLimousine or van for family $175      
Merchandise
CasketRange: $1,000 basic to $10,000+ premium $2,500      
Outer burial container / vaultRequired by most cemeteries, not state law $1,572      
Cemetery Costs
Cemetery plotSingle plot; varies widely by location $2,200      
Opening & closing graveLabor and equipment at cemetery $1,250      
Headstone / grave markerYou can purchase from any vendor $1,500      
Additional Items
FlowersCasket spray + standing arrangements $250–$600      
Death certificates10–15 copies recommended; $5–$25 each $150      
Obituary / death noticesNewspaper + online; varies by publication $200–$500      
Printed programs / prayer cards $100–$300      
Other (clergy, musicians, etc.)Cash-advance items arranged by funeral home $200–$500      
ESTIMATED TOTAL $11,000–$15,000      

Notes space:

Use this space to note payment terms, package discounts, special accommodations, or other details from each provider.

Your Consumer Rights

Under the FTC Funeral Rule and various state consumer protection laws, you have the following rights when purchasing funeral services:

  • Right to a General Price List. Every funeral home must provide you with a written, itemized price list before showing you any merchandise or beginning arrangements. This applies to in-person visits and phone inquiries.
  • Right to choose only the services you want. You are not required to purchase any package or bundle. You may select individual items from the price list, with the exception of the non-declinable basic services fee.
  • Right to decline embalming. Embalming is not required by law in most states for most circumstances. If you choose cremation, immediate burial, or a closed-casket service, you can decline embalming. Ask about refrigeration as an alternative.
  • Right to use a third-party casket or urn. You may purchase a casket or urn from any retailer (online, warehouse club, independent dealer) and the funeral home must accept it with no handling fee. Third-party caskets are often 40–50% less expensive.
  • Right to accurate information. Funeral homes cannot misrepresent state or local legal requirements. They cannot tell you a casket is required for cremation, that embalming is always legally required, or that a sealed casket preserves remains indefinitely.
  • Right to phone price information. You can call any funeral home and request prices over the phone without giving your name or visiting in person. This is federally protected.
  • Right to file a complaint. If a funeral home violates the Funeral Rule, you can file a complaint with the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).

Red Flags to Watch For

While most funeral homes operate ethically, some practices should raise concerns. If you encounter any of the following, consider choosing a different provider or reporting the behavior:

  • Refusing to provide a General Price List. This is a direct violation of federal law. Walk away and report the funeral home to the FTC.
  • Pressuring you into expensive packages. You are never required to buy a package. If a funeral director pushes a bundled deal without showing you itemized pricing, insist on the GPL.
  • Claiming embalming is legally required. In the vast majority of cases across all states, embalming is not required by law. A funeral home that insists otherwise is either misinformed or being deceptive.
  • Saying a casket is required for cremation. Federal law explicitly prohibits this claim. An alternative container (simple cardboard or pressed wood) is sufficient for cremation.
  • Charging a “handling fee” for outside caskets. The FTC Funeral Rule prohibits funeral homes from charging a fee to handle a casket or urn purchased from a third party.
  • Hidden markups on cash-advance items. Some funeral homes add undisclosed markups to items like flowers, obituaries, or death certificates that they arrange on your behalf. Ask explicitly whether any service charge is included.
  • Emotional manipulation or guilt tactics. Statements like “Don’t you want the best for your loved one?” are designed to push you toward more expensive options. A quality funeral can be arranged at any price point.
  • Vague or verbal-only pricing. All pricing must be provided in writing. If a funeral home only gives you verbal estimates, request the written GPL. Verbal quotes are not legally binding and can change.
  • Rushing you into a decision. While arrangements need to be made within a reasonable timeframe, you should never be pressured to sign a contract on the spot. In most cases, you have 24–48 hours to make decisions.

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a General Price List and am I entitled to one?

A General Price List (GPL) is a written document that every funeral home is required by the FTC Funeral Rule to provide to any person who asks, whether in person or over the phone. It must itemize every service and product the funeral home offers along with its individual price. You do not need to give your name, and the funeral home cannot require you to purchase a package. You can use the GPL to fill in this comparison worksheet.

How many funeral homes should I compare before making a decision?

We recommend comparing at least three funeral homes in your area. Prices for the same services can vary by $2,000 to $4,000 or more between funeral homes in the same city. Even if you are working under time pressure, a few phone calls to request General Price Lists can reveal significant savings without delaying arrangements.

Can a funeral home refuse to give me a price list or charge me for asking?

No. Under the FTC Funeral Rule, funeral homes must provide a General Price List to anyone who asks, free of charge, and they must give price information over the phone to callers who ask. If a funeral home refuses, this is a federal violation. You can report non-compliance to the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).