How to Read a Funeral Home Price List

When does a funeral home have to give me a GPL?

As soon as you start discussing arrangements, the services it offers, or its prices in person. If you call instead, the funeral director has to give you price information over the phone when you ask.

What must a General Price List include?

A separate price for each of these items the funeral home offers (16 CFR 453.2(b)(4)):

• Forwarding of remains to another funeral home, and receiving remains from another funeral home, each with a list of the services included.
• Direct cremation, with a separate price for a direct cremation where you provide the container, and a price for each container the home offers.
• Immediate burial, with a separate price for an immediate burial where you provide the casket.
• Transfer of remains to the funeral home.
• Embalming, and other preparation of the body.
• Use of facilities and staff for a viewing, for a funeral ceremony, and for a memorial service.
• Use of equipment and staff for a graveside service.
• Hearse and limousine.
• The basic services fee (see below).

What is the basic services fee?

It's what the funeral director and staff charge for their basic services, and it's the only funeral home fee you can't decline. The price list has to say that this fee gets added to the total for whatever you choose, and that it's already included in the prices for direct cremation, immediate burial, and forwarding or receiving remains.

So a direct cremation price can look high next to a single line like embalming. The basic services fee is already inside it. Compare package prices with package prices.

Where are casket and burial vault prices listed?

Often on separate lists. Caskets and outer burial containers (vaults, grave boxes and grave liners) usually get their own price lists. You have the right to see the written casket price list before you're shown any caskets, so you can ask about cheaper models. If the home sells outer burial containers but doesn't price them on the GPL, ask for its outer burial container price list.

The cemetery, not the funeral home, decides whether you need an outer burial container at all. If a cemetery or crematory requirement means you have to buy something, the funeral home must explain it in your written statement.

What are cash advance items?

They're usually things the funeral home pays someone else for on your behalf. The Rule covers anything described to you as a “cash advance,” “accommodation” or “cash disbursement.” If the home charges you for getting these items, or gets a refund, discount or rebate from the supplier, it has to tell you in writing. Ask what each one costs and whether you can arrange any of them yourself.

How do I compare two price lists?

Once you've chosen, the funeral home has to give you a written statement listing every item you selected, its price and the total. Check it against the price list before you pay.

Certified death certificates are usually a cash advance item, charged per copy. A death certificate calculator counts how many the family will need, one per bank, insurer or agency that asks.