Consumers have the right to learn pricing information by telephone. Funeral homes are required (by the federal Funeral Rule) to answer questions about prices for services they offer. The FTC recently conducted an undercover sweep, calling various funeral homes across the country and asking about prices. In the sample called (250), 39 failed to provide the requested information.

The FTC sent warning letters to those businesses and reviewed relevant compliance principles. For example, funeral homes must…

  • Respond accurately when people call with price questions.
  • Not highlight only package prices.
  • Not require callers to give their names, addresses, or phone numbers.

FTC’s message to the funeral industry: “The fundamental compliance principle is that if a consumer calls you with price questions, you must respond on the phone. You can’t require consumers to come to the funeral home in person to get price information.”

For more about this study, see these FTC postings dated January 25, 2024: