Cash advance items are charges the funeral home pays to other parties on your behalf and then bills you for, like death certificates, permits, newspaper obituaries, and clergy honorariums. Because other parties set those prices, the funeral home can’t always guarantee them.
In Utah
Death certificates are $35 for the first certified copy and $10 for each additional copy. The cremation-related permit charge is currently $157. Newspaper obituaries are priced by the paper.
What to know
- The funeral home must tell you if it adds a charge on top of what it paid, or gets a refund or discount.
- Ask for an estimate of cash advance items before you sign, since they aren’t always in the package price. On a prepaid plan, ask whether they are guaranteed or only estimated.
Sources
- Utah Office of Vital Records, fee schedule effective July 2026.
- Federal Trade Commission, “Shopping for Funeral Services” (the Funeral Rule).
Last reviewed September 26, 2026. Prices change; check the provider’s current price list.