Funeral Home Services: Itemized vs. Package
Funeral homes generally offer services in two ways: as individual, itemized services, or as all-inclusive packages. The choice impacts the final cost and the flexibility of the arrangements.
1. Itemized Pricing (The Legal Standard)
- Definition: The consumer selects only the specific goods and services they need from the General Price List (GPL), paying a separate fee for each.
- Pros: Complete control over spending. Ensures the consumer only pays for what is explicitly wanted (e.g., opting out of embalming or a viewing).
- Cons: Can be overwhelming to coordinate every detail. Requires careful tracking of costs.
- FTC Rule: The FTC Funeral Rule mandates that funeral homes must allow itemized selection, even if a package is offered.
2. Package Pricing (The Convenience Option)
- Definition: The funeral home bundles common services (e.g., basic services fee, embalming, use of chapel, transportation) into a single, set price.
- Pros: Simplifies the decision-making process during a time of stress. Can sometimes offer a slight discount compared to adding every item individually.
- Cons: May include services the family does not actually want or need (e.g., paying for facility use when the service is held at a church). Can obscure the actual cost of individual components.
Financial Strategy
When comparing pricing, families should:
- Request the GPL: Always look at the itemized costs first.
- Add It Up: Calculate the total cost of the specific services you want using the itemized list.
- Compare: Compare that total to the price of the package that most closely matches your needs.
If the package contains significant unwanted services, the itemized route is usually cheaper and more flexible.