By Joe.

No, a funeral home cannot legally change their prices or charge you more for funeral services simply because you purchase a casket online. This practice is prohibited by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Funeral Rule, which protects consumers in several key ways:

Key Points of the FTC Funeral Rule:
No Extra Fees for External Caskets: Funeral homes are not allowed to charge you extra fees if you buy a casket from an outside source (such as online retailers). They must accept the casket without imposing additional handling fees or refusing service.

Price Transparency: Funeral homes must provide an itemized General Price List (GPL) of all their services and products, allowing you to see clear prices without any hidden costs. These prices should remain consistent, regardless of where you purchase the casket.

Right to Buy Products from Outside Sources: You have the right to buy a casket or other funeral goods (like urns) from any source you choose, and the funeral home is required to use them without discrimination.

What You Can Do:
Request a GPL: Before purchasing any services, ask for a General Price List from the funeral home to ensure you know the prices up front.
Report Violations: If a funeral home tries to charge more because you bought a casket online or imposes extra fees, you can report the violation to the FTC.
By knowing your rights under the Funeral Rule, you can protect yourself from unfair practices and ensure you aren’t charged unfairly when purchasing a casket online.

If there are any questions please call 800 618 4642, we can help explain the laws with a purchasing a casket online. You can also view all our caskets