What is a General Price List?

The one document that makes funeral prices comparable - and your right to see it.

A General Price List (GPL) is the itemized price list every funeral home covered by the FTC Funeral Rule must keep. It lists the standard charges: the basic services fee, transfer of remains, embalming, viewing, ceremonies, vehicles, direct cremation, immediate burial, and container price ranges.

Your rights under the Funeral Rule

• Ask for prices by phone. A funeral home must answer price questions to any caller.
• Receive a GPL when you ask in person, and keep it.
• Choose only the goods and services you want, subject to the permitted non-declinable basic services fee. That fee is already included in direct cremation, immediate burial, forwarding and receiving prices; it must not be added twice.
• Use an alternative container instead of a casket for direct cremation.

The FTC rule does not require homes to post prices online. Some states add their own rules - California requires a funeral establishment with a website to post the list of required goods and services and a statement that its GPL is available on request, or to link its GPL from its homepage. This does not mean every provider must publish all prices online.

When you ask, write down

• The date on the price list and the date you asked.
• Whether direct cremation and immediate burial include the basic services fee - they usually should, and it must not be charged twice.
• What is excluded: crematory fees, death certificates, permits, cemetery charges.

Read the FTC guidance · California BPC 7685 · How this site compares prices