Choosing a funeral home is one of the first decisions you'll make after a death — often while you're still in shock, and sometimes over the phone. You have more rights in this process than most people realize.

When to call

Call a funeral home when you're ready to arrange transportation of the body. You do not need to have service decisions made first. A funeral home can take custody of the remains and give you time — usually a few days — to plan before anything needs to be finalized.

If the death involved the coroner or medical examiner, the funeral home cannot take the body until it is released. They can still be selected and notified ahead of time.

How to choose one

Ask someone you trust first — a friend, a clergy member, a doctor. Word of mouth is still the most reliable filter.

If you don't have a recommendation, your state's funeral director association maintains a licensed provider directory. You can also search the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) directory online.

You are not required to use the funeral home closest to where the person died, or the one the hospital suggests. You can have remains transported to any licensed funeral home.

The FTC Funeral Rule — your rights

The Federal Trade Commission's Funeral Rule requires all funeral homes to:

  • Provide itemized pricing over the phone, on request — without requiring you to visit first
  • Give you a written General Price List (GPL) when you arrive in person
  • Allow you to select only the goods and services you want — no mandatory packages
  • Disclose any required fees (like a casket handling fee if you supply your own)
  • Provide an itemized statement of all charges before any service

The GPL is the single most useful document in this process. Request it immediately and use it to compare providers.

Call two or three before you decide

Pricing varies significantly — sometimes by thousands of dollars for comparable services. Federal law requires them to give you prices over the phone. Use it. A five-minute call to a second provider can save real money at a moment when money is already stressed.

What you are not required to buy

  • A casket from the funeral home. You can purchase a casket from a third party (including online retailers like Costco) and the funeral home must accept it. They cannot charge a handling fee that negates the savings.
  • Embalming in most circumstances. It is not legally required in most states and is typically only necessary if there will be a public viewing or if the body will be transported across state lines.
  • A vault or burial liner by law — though most cemeteries require one independently. Ask the cemetery, not just the funeral home.
  • A package deal. You can build an itemized arrangement from individual services. Packages are convenient but rarely the best value.

Questions to ask before signing

  • Can you send me your General Price List by email?
  • What is the basic services fee and what does it include?
  • What is the total estimated cost for what we're discussing?
  • Are there any fees not on the GPL I should know about?
  • If we provide our own casket, what is the handling fee?
  • What is your timeline for completing arrangements?
  • Are you licensed by the state? (Confirm at your state's funeral director licensing board)

Red flags

  • Refuses to provide pricing over the phone
  • Pressures you to decide immediately
  • Discourages you from shopping around
  • Cannot produce a written GPL
  • Adds charges not disclosed in advance
  • Implies that choosing a less expensive option is disrespectful to the deceased

Pre-need contracts transfer

If the deceased had a pre-need funeral contract with a specific funeral home, that home is obligated to fulfill it — even if you'd prefer a different provider. Review the contract before making any arrangements elsewhere.

Alternatives to traditional funeral homes

Direct cremation providers offer cremation without a viewing or service for significantly less — often $700–$2,000 compared to $7,000–$12,000 for a full-service funeral. A separate memorial service can still be held at any venue.

Green burial providers focus on natural burial without embalming, in biodegradable containers. Availability depends on your location; the Green Burial Council maintains a directory.

Body donation programs through medical schools accept whole-body donations at no cost to the family, and typically return cremated remains after 1–3 years. These must be arranged in advance; most programs cannot accept a body if the family calls after death.