By law, funerals are considered “consumer products.” Under federal and state laws, the rights of consumers are protected.  The following is an outline of your rights as provided for in “The Funeral Rule,” enacted by the Federal Trade Commission in 1984.

1. You have the right to choose and purchase the funeral goods and services you want.

2. The funeral provider must state this in writing on the General Price List.

3. If state or local law requires you to buy any particular item or service, the funeral provider must disclose it on the price list, with a reference to the specific law(s).

4. The funeral provider may not refuse, or charge a fee, to handle a casket you bought elsewhere.

5. A funeral provider that offers cremations must make alternative containers available.

6. Funeral homes may not do any of the following:
    A. embalm a body without permission
    B. falsely state that embalming is required by law
    C. charge a fee for unauthorized embalming

7. Funeral homes must provide the following:
    A. inform you, in writing, that embalming is not required by law, except in certain special cases.
    B. inform you, in writing, that you have the right to choose a disposition of the final remains, including direct cremation or direct burial

8. Any violation of your rights is punishable by a $10,000, per occurrence, fine.