The meeting with the funeral director during which funeral goods and services are discussed and purchased is called the “arrangement conference.” At this meeting, the funeral director will provide you with a General Price List (if he has not done so already) in compliance with Federal Trade Commission rules.

The General Price List outlines the price of all of the goods and services regularly offered by the funeral home.

1. The services of the funeral director, including the arrangement conference, the filing of necessary paperwork and the use of the funeral home for the custodial care of the body until final disposition. These services comprise the Basic Arrangements Fee and may not be declined.
2. Funeral goods and merchandise including caskets, urns and buried containers such as graves liners and vaults.
3. Transportation of the body from the place of death and to the place of final disposition.
4. Care of the body, including embalming (or refrigeration) and preparation for viewing.
5. Use of the funeral home facilities for visitation or viewing and the funeral ceremony, if held at the funeral home.
6. Miscellaneous items, such as register books; music, burial clothing, flowers, acknowledgment cards and the preparation of an obituary or death notice.

In addition to the items covered by the funeral home’s price list(s), funeral arrangements will include cash advance items that the funeral home pays to outside service providers such as the cemetery or crematory, clergy and fees for certified copies of the death certificate.

You may pay these fees directly or through the funeral home. The funeral home may not add a service or handling fee on advanced outside service fees.

ITEMIZED STATEMENT

Once you have made your selections you will be given an Itemized Statement of Services and Merchandise. This document will include a detailed outline of the specific merchandise and services you have selected, the price of each, a total cost and an estimate of cash advance items for which you will be responsible.

In most cases, the Itemized Statement will also include contractual language that legally obligates you to pay for the cost of the funeral and outlines the terms of payment. Payment arrangements vary widely.

Some funeral homes require full payment of the entire funeral before a single service is rendered, while others will advance the entire cost of the funeral allowing the family up to thirty days to pay.