Funeral Home and Cremation Fraud
How do I know if a funeral home is overcharging me?
Short answer
The FTC Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to give you an itemized General Price List when you ask — by phone, in person, or in writing. Compare at least two providers before deciding. In California, funeral homes must be licensed by the…
What this usually means
The FTC Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to give you an itemized General Price List when you ask — by phone, in person, or in writing. Compare at least two providers before deciding. In California, funeral homes must be licensed by the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau. Red flags: refusal to give itemized pricing, pressure to decide immediately, package-only pricing with no itemization, or claims that certain items are legally required when they are not.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county help for coroner contacts, vital records, cost tools, and paperwork.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.