What is the funeral rule?

The funeral rule is a federal regulation that was enacted by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 1984. It is designed to protect consumers from being overcharged or misled when purchasing funeral goods and services.

The funeral rule requires funeral homes to provide consumers with detailed price information about their goods and services. This includes a list of the items that are included in a funeral package, as well as the cost of each item separately. The funeral home must also provide consumers with a general price list that includes the cost of items that are not included in the funeral package, such as flowers, cremation services, and burial vaults.

The funeral rule also prohibits funeral homes from engaging in certain practices that are considered deceptive or unfair. For example, they are not allowed to require consumers to purchase a casket or other funeral goods as a condition of providing funeral services. They also cannot charge consumers a fee for filling out government forms, such as the death certificate or burial permit.

Overall, the funeral rule is intended to protect consumers by ensuring that they are fully informed about the costs and options involved in purchasing funeral goods and services. It is an important part of consumer protection law, and it helps ensure that consumers are able to make informed decisions about their funeral arrangements.