Tips to save on funeral costs

Shopping around can save money. Funeral costs can vary significantly in the same town, by as much as $2,580 to $13,800, according to a 2015 study by the Funeral Consumers Alliance and the Consumer Federation of America. They found that only 25% of funeral homes fully disclose prices on their websites.

While a casket is often the single most expensive item for a funeral, other items can add up. Funeral costs increased by 227% between December 1986 to September 2017, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Here are some additional tips to help you save:

Get price information over the phone. Under the FTC’s funeral rule, funeral directors must give you the price information over the telephone if you ask for it. You do not need to give them your name, number or address. Here’s a funeral costs and pricing checklist from the FTC.
Compare funeral costs. Funeral homes are often not forthcoming in their costs. Prices for similar services can vary significantly among funeral homes. A 2017 investigation by NPR found a funeral home that charged nearly twice the amount of another funeral home for a cremation done at the same offsite facility.
Only buy the funeral arrangements you want. Under the federal funeral rule, you have the right to buy goods and services separately, such as a casket, embalming and memorial service. You don’t have to accept a package that has services you don’t want or need.
You may not have to purchase a casket. If you’re planning on having a cremation or want to use a less expensive casket for the burial, but would like a fancier casket for a viewing, you may be able to rent a casket from the funeral home. Some people also prefer this option as a more environmentally friendly approach to a traditional casket, which is used only once.
Ask a friend or family member to help negotiate price. A trusted ally may be able to speak and negotiate on your behalf during a difficult and time-sensitive situation.