Funeral price comparison worksheet

Funeral pricing can be difficult to compare because providers may group services in different ways. One funeral home may show a package price. Another may list each item separately. The worksheet gives you one place to write the same categories for each provider, so you can compare more fairly.

It can help you look at common costs such as:
- basic services fee
- transfer of the person into care
- embalming, if chosen
- other preparation, dressing, or sheltering
- facilities, staff, and viewing or visitation
- funeral or memorial service charges
- hearse or service vehicle
- cremation fee or burial-related charges
- casket, urn, or alternative container
- printed materials, obituary help, death certificates, and cash advance items

It can also help you slow down and notice what is optional. Under the FTC Funeral Rule, you generally have the right to buy only the goods and services you want, to receive an itemized General Price List (GPL), to use a casket or urn bought elsewhere, and to decline embalming where it is not legally required. Embalming is rarely required by law. You can read more at Funeral Rule rights.

The worksheet does not give quotes. It helps you organize information so you can compare typical charges and ask better questions.

Print the worksheet or fill it in by hand after speaking with providers. Use one column for each funeral home or cremation provider you are considering.

1. Ask each provider for its General Price List. You have the right to receive it. If you are calling, ask for an itemized price list to be sent by email or shown in person.
2. Write the provider name, location, phone number, and whether the business is licensed in your state. It is wise to verify the license directly with your state regulator.
3. Start with the non-declinable charges, such as the basic services fee, if listed.
4. Add only the services you may actually want. This might include direct cremation, burial with a viewing, or a memorial service on another day.
5. Note whether merchandise is included or separate. A package may sound simpler, but you still have the right to ask for itemized prices.
6. Mark any line that is unclear. Ask what is included, what is optional, and what could change the final bill.
7. Ask for all prices in writing before you decide.

If you are not sure which arrangement type fits your family, these guides may help: burial, cremation, and at-need arrangements.

Try to compare the same choices across providers. For example, if one price includes a rental casket, staff for a service, and printed materials, make sure you note those same items in the other columns. That makes the comparison more accurate.

The lowest total is not always the best value. The highest total is not always the most complete. The worksheet can help you look past the headline number.

Pay attention to these differences:
- whether the price is itemized or packaged
- whether transportation mileage is limited or extra
- whether refrigeration or sheltering has time limits
- whether the crematory fee is included or separate
- whether the graveside service, witness cremation, or evening visitation costs extra
- whether staff, facilities, and equipment are included for the service you want
- whether cash advance items are estimates only

It also helps to ask a few steady questions:
- What does this total include, line by line
- What is optional here
- What might increase the cost later
- Are there weekend, after-hours, or mileage fees
- Can we provide our own urn or casket
- Is embalming required for this plan, or simply offered

In most situations, embalming is not required by law. If a provider says it is required, ask under what law or circumstance. There may be practical reasons in some cases, but you still have the right to a clear explanation.

If you are planning ahead, remember that pre-need funeral contracts and final-expense insurance are different products. Ask whether funds are protected and what happens if you move or change your mind. Insurance questions should be handled by a licensed agent. Stillpoint does not sell either.

Once the worksheet is filled out, take a quiet moment to look for three things: the total cost, the services included, and how clearly each provider answered your questions.

A good result is not only a lower number. It is also a provider that gives written information, explains choices plainly, and respects your decisions. If one business will not give itemized prices or seems to push items you do not want, that is important information.

You might use the result in these ways:
- choose the provider that best fits your budget and wishes
- call back with a short list of follow-up questions
- remove optional items you do not need
- ask a provider to explain a package in itemized form
- share the worksheet with relatives so everyone is looking at the same information

Keep a copy of the worksheet with any emailed price lists, notes, and written estimates. If you move forward with a provider, ask for the final statement of funeral goods and services before signing. Read it slowly. Make sure it matches what you discussed.

All prices on this page are typical ranges, not quotes. Actual charges vary by location, provider, and choices. Confirm prices in writing, ask each provider for its GPL, and verify the provider is licensed in your state.

If this tool includes a downloadable PDF, you can print it and bring it to meetings or keep it beside you during phone calls. Many families find paper easier when they are tired or trying to compare several options at once.

A simple worksheet can also be useful for planning ahead. You can fill it out gradually, save notes, and update it later. Prices change over time, so it is wise to check again before making final decisions.

If you are helping another family member, write clearly and note the date on each version. That way, everyone can see which information is current. Even a small amount of organization can reduce confusion.

If you would like help finding licensed providers near you, Stillpoint may be able to help. We are a free matching service for families in the United States. We can help you get connected with licensed funeral homes and cremation providers near you, at no cost.

We do not choose for you, and we do not provide funeral or cremation services ourselves. Our role is simply to help you begin with local options so you can ask for GPLs, compare itemized prices, and decide what feels right for your family.

If that would be helpful, you can learn how it works or get matched.