The FTC Funeral Rule is the federal consumer-protection rule that sets what every funeral home must tell you and must let you do.
Your rights, in plain language
- Itemized prices. You can get prices by phone, and a printed list to keep when you ask in person.
- Buy only what you want. Apart from the basic services fee, you can choose individual items.
- Bring your own casket or urn. The home can’t refuse it or charge a fee for handling it.
- No embalming without permission, except where a law requires it.
- An alternative container must be offered for direct cremation.
- An itemized statement of what you’re buying, before you pay.
What the rule doesn’t do
- It doesn’t cap prices.
- It doesn’t ban package discounts, including ones that require buying the casket from the home.
- It generally doesn’t cover cemeteries, unless they also sell funeral goods and services.
Where to complain
You can report a problem to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Funeral directors in Utah are licensed by the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), which also takes complaints.
Common questions
Does the Funeral Rule apply to cemeteries?
Generally no, unless the cemetery also sells funeral goods and services. Cemetery prices follow the cemetery’s own policies and state rules.
Can a funeral home refuse a casket I bought online?
No. The home must accept it and can’t charge a handling fee. It can require the casket to arrive in time for the service.
Do I have to buy a package?
No. You can buy individual items. A package may cost less, but only if you want what’s in it.
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission, “Shopping for Funeral Services” (the Funeral Rule).
Last reviewed September 26, 2026. Prices change; check the provider’s current price list.