Most of us are unprepared before making these purchases. We don't know what we need to know because we make funeral arrangements so infrequently. The emotions surrounding having to make these arrangements when a loved one has died, or when we prearrange our own funeral, may cloud our judgment. It's never easy to think about funeral and burial arrangements, but finding out about them in advance is easier than coping with them at a time of need. 

What You Should Know 

The Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to provide price lists to help you know what options are available and how much they will cost. Funeral homes, but not cemeteries, must disclose prices by telephone and offer price lists for review at each facility. Many funeral homes will mail you their price lists, although the law does not require this. 

Shop around for best prices. Most of us select a funeral home or cemetery based on location, reputation, or personal experience. There is nothing wrong with that, but you may pay too much if you only call one facility. Call or visit at least two funeral homes and cemeteries to compare prices. 

Compare prices for the entire package, not just a single item. Every funeral home should have separate price lists for general services, caskets, and outer burial containers. Only by using all three lists can you accurately find the total costs and be able to compare prices. 

General Services 

The general price list itemizes the available services and their cost. Options include: 

Funeral director services for initial conference, consultations, paperwork, and overhead. This fee is added to all bills. 

Transportation of the body to the funeral home and to the place of final disposition. 

Care of the body, including embalming and "casketing," or dressing the body. 

Use of facilities for a viewing, wake, or visitation, and the funeral or memorial ceremony at the funeral home. 

Other options include purchasing flowers, preparing obituary notices, or providing music. 

General price lists also will include prices for alternative arrangements such as: 

Immediate Burial - This is a simple, low-cost funeral. The body is interred without embalming, usually in a simple container. There is no viewing or ceremony with the body present. A package price for immediate burial will include the funeral director's fee, transportation, and care of the body. It may not include the charge for a container, casket, or simple pine box. 

Direct Cremation - The package price for direct cremation includes the funeral director's fee, transportation of the body, and care of the body. It may not include the charge for cremation. 

The bottom line: 

Compare prices for the entire package of funeral options, not just a single item. 

Caskets 

A casket is the single most expensive item in a traditional funeral. In 1996, an AARP survey found an average price of $1,658. Caskets are available in many styles and prices. They may be made from metal, wood, fiberglass, or plastic. Traditionally, caskets were sold only by funeral homes, but now cemeteries and third parties sell caskets, even on the Internet. Collect casket price lists from several funeral homes to compare the costs of a particular model. Under the federal Funeral Rule, a funeral home cannot charge you extra if you provide your own casket from an outside source. No casket is required if you choose direct cremation, immediate burial, or to donate the body to science. 

Outer burial containers 

Most cemeteries require the use of a grave liner or vault. These outer burial containers surround the casket in the grave to prevent the ground from sinking as settling occurs over time. In some locations, both funeral homes and cemeteries sell vaults and liners. In some areas, it is possible, and less expensive, to purchase an outer burial container from a third party. You can collect outer burial container price lists from several providers to compare the costs of a particular model. 

Be sure you buy only what you planned. Try to keep in mind that the amount you spend on a funeral and burial is not a reflection of your feelings for the deceased. 

If you have a complaint 

To file a complaint against a funeral home, contact
Federal Trade Commission
Consumer Response Center
Washington, DC 20580
877-FTC-HELP
TDD 202-326-2502
URL: www.ftc.gov 

To file a complaint against a cemetery, contact
North American Cemetery Regulators Association
Jerri Robinson, President
c/o Cemetery & Funeral Home Section
Consumer Protection Division
Office of the Attorney General
1024 Capital Center Drive
Frankfort, KY 40601 

International Cemetery and Funeral Association
1895 Preston White Drive
Reston, VA 20191
800-645-7700
URL: www.icfa.org 

For More Information 

FAMSA~Funeral Consumers Alliance 
A federation of nonprofit consumer funeral and memorial societies.
PO Box 10
Hinesburg, VT 05461
802) 482-3437 
URL: www.funerals.org 

The Federal Trade Commission 
This site has useful information on shopping for funerals and burials.
URL: www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/services/funeral.htm 

The National Funeral Directors Association 
This industry association conducts an annual survey of its members on funeral prices. You can find the range of prices from the General Price List on the Web site as well as other consumer information about funerals.
URL: www.nfda.org/resources/ 

Cremation Association of North America (CANA) 
The CANA Web site has consumer information on cremation in PDF format. 
Titles include: "Cremation Explained - Answers To Questions Most Frequently Asked," "Cremation Memorial Options," and "Cremation and the Funeral."
URL: www.cremationassociation.org/html/for_consumers.html 

Monument Builders of North America 
This group is a nonprofit organization of companies that design, sell, and maintain burial and cremation monuments. The Web site has consumer information, including a directory of suppliers and designers. Their toll free phone is: 1-800-827-1000.
URL: www.monumentbuilders.com 

Department of Veterans Affairs 
The National Cemetery Administration has information on VA's national cemeteries and on other burial benefits.
URL: www.cem.va.gov