Short answer: We reviewed the homepages of 39 funeral and cremation provider sites in 2026. Only 31% showed a price on the homepage, 33% had a pricing page and 28% mentioned the General Price List or FTC rule. This describes what is visible, not provider quality. No provider is named.
What did we find?
| Signal on the homepage | Sites | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone number as a tap-to-call link | 30 of 39 | 77% |
| Mentions pre-planning | 30 of 39 | 77% |
| Mentions veterans | 24 of 39 | 62% |
| Shows any price | 12 of 39 | 31% |
| Has a dedicated pricing or cost page | 13 of 39 | 33% |
| Mentions 24/7 availability | 13 of 39 | 33% |
| Mentions the General Price List or FTC rule | 11 of 39 | 28% |
| Has an FAQ page | 8 of 39 | 21% |
| Uses FAQ structured data | 2 of 39 | 5% |
| Has organization or local-business structured data | 17 of 39 | 44% |
In short, the phone link is nearly universal, while prices and plain explanations of your price rights are not.
Why does price visibility matter?
The FTC Funeral Rule requires funeral providers to give you a General Price List when you ask in person about arrangements, and to quote prices by phone when asked. Many families compare by phone or online first, so a visible price saves time.
For context, the NFDA reports medians of $8,300 for a funeral with burial and $6,280 for a funeral with cremation and service, from its 2024 General Price List study. Prices vary widely, so use these as a benchmark only.
How did we run the review, and what are the limits?
- We started from 53 sites found in US search results: national chains, direct-cremation brands and top-ranking independents in seven metro areas. 50 were analyzed. The 39 reported here were read by direct web request; the remaining 11 were read through a rendered fetch that returns headings and metadata only.
- We counted what appears on the homepage or is linked from it. A provider may publish a price list elsewhere.
- The sample is not random. It favors sites that appear prominently in search.
- These counts are not a judgment of quality, care or honesty. A site with no visible price may still give a clear quote on request.
- We name no provider, and we did not copy site text.
What does this mean for you?
- Ask each provider for its General Price List, in writing if you can.
- Ask for prices by phone if the website shows none.
- Compare the same services line by line.
- Use our provider scorecard to keep notes in one place.
Related services
- Direct cremation: what it includes and what it does notDirect cremation is cremation soon after death with no ceremony. See direct cremation cost, what is included, timing and how to find a provider near you.See this service →
- Cremation services: options, process and costHow cremation works, cremation cost, how direct cremation differs from cremation with a service, what prices include, and your rights under the FTC Funeral Rule.See this service →
- Traditional funeral services: steps, choices and costsHow a traditional funeral works: visitation, service, procession and burial. What is optional, what drives cost, and your rights when buying a casket.See this service →
Frequently asked questions
Which providers did you review?
We do not name them. This report is aggregate by design, and it describes homepage signals only.
Does a missing price mean a provider is hiding something?
Not necessarily. We only counted what was visible. Ask for a General Price List and compare.
Will you update this report?
We plan to repeat the review and will date each version.
What does the FTC Funeral Rule protect?
The FTC Funeral Rule gives consumers the right to choose only the funeral goods and services they want and to receive clear prices. It requires funeral homes to provide an itemized General Price List and to state prices by phone. It also prevents them from saying that embalming is required by law when it is not, and from refusing or charging a fee for a casket you bought elsewhere. Direct cremation providers must offer an alternative container. The rule applies to funeral providers, not to cemeteries in general. What to do: ask for the GPL and a written statement of what you selected before paying.
What costs are not included in funeral home prices?
Funeral home prices usually do not include cemetery or burial charges, a headstone, flowers, or fees paid to third parties. Items often billed separately include the cemetery plot, opening and closing of the grave, vault or liner, marker, clergy or officiant honorarium, obituary notices, musicians, a reception, and certified death certificates. Some funeral homes list these as cash advance items, which they pay on your behalf. What to ask: ask for a complete estimate that shows both funeral home charges and expected outside costs, and ask whether any cash advance items carry a markup or service fee.
How do I compare funeral home prices?
The best way to compare funeral home prices is to request each provider's General Price List and compare the same items side by side. Call two or three providers, ask the same questions, and note the basic services fee, transport, the charge for the type of service you want, and any added fees. Providers must give price information over the phone. Look at the total, not only the headline price. What to ask: ask for the total in writing for the exact arrangements you want, and ask what could raise the final bill, such as extra mileage or holding time.
How much does a funeral cost in the US?
According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the median cost of a funeral with viewing and burial was about 8,300 dollars in 2023, and a funeral with cremation and a service was about 6,280 dollars. Those figures usually do not include cemetery plot, headstone, flowers, or some third-party charges, so the total can be higher. Prices vary a great deal by region and by provider. What to ask: request the provider's General Price List, compare at least two or three options, and ask for a written itemized statement of goods and services before you agree to anything.
Why is the cemetery bill separate from the funeral home bill?
The cemetery bill is separate because the cemetery is a different business with its own prices and rules, even when it is owned or operated near a funeral home. Cemeteries charge for the plot or niche, opening and closing, and sometimes a vault, marker, and perpetual care. The FTC Funeral Rule generally covers funeral providers, not cemeteries, so cemetery price lists may follow different state rules. What to ask: ask the cemetery for a written list of all fees, including any requirements for vaults or liners and marker installation, before you buy a plot or finalize a burial date.
What is the General Price List and can I ask for it?
The General Price List, often called the GPL, is an itemized list of goods and services a funeral home offers, and you have the right to receive it. Under the FTC Funeral Rule, a funeral home must give you the list to keep when you begin discussing arrangements in person. They must also give accurate price information over the phone if you ask. The list shows the basic services fee, transport, embalming, viewing, ceremonies, and caskets. What to ask: ask for the GPL at the start, compare it with at least one other provider, and select only the items you want from it.