Federal Law covering Funeral Directors (known as ‘The Funeral Rule’) gives you the right to:

1. Buy ONLY the funeral goods and services you want
2. Buy separate goods like caskets, and provide the funeral homes with caskets purchased elsewhere, with no extra charges added
3. Not have to accept a package with items you do not want
4. Not be lied to, or have Federal and State laws and requirements misrepresented to you

WHAT DOES “THE FUNERAL RULE” MEAN FOR YOU?

• Buying a casket of coffin for sale and arranging delivery to your selected Funeral Home for use in a Funeral Service is 100% legal in all 50 States
• Funeral providers cannot refuse to use a casket or coffin you bought elsewhere, or put unreasonable or onerous restrictions on when it must be delivered or who must receive delivery
• You cannot be charged an additional fee if you supply the casket – federal law prohibits funeral directors from charging “casket-handling” or other fees for people who purchase their casket elsewhere.
• You cannot be required to purchase any goods or services that are not required by law – funeral homes are allowed to charge one non-declinable “basic” fee, but only one, and this should be for basic or required goods and services
• The funeral home may not lie about or misrepresent funeral or cemetery laws, rules, or regulations – if you are told something is required by law, ask for a copy of the law
• Other kinds of misrepresentations, such as to the quality of caskets or coffins bought elsewhere or the likelihood of damages in transit, are also illegal. Consumer protection laws in most states also prohibit such deceptive practices., State Licensing Boards in all 50 states have the right to (and do) discipline Funeral Directors for dishonesty and misrepresentation, and Federal law also prohibits dishonest, deceptive, and unfair acts and practices.