Planning a funeral is hard enough — the last thing families need is to overpay because of industry markups. Thanks to the FTC Funeral Rule, savvy consumers can now buy caskets online or elsewhere and skip the inflated prices that many funeral homes place on caskets. At Caskets-Direct.com, we believe you shouldn’t pay more than necessary for such an important purchase.
What Is the FTC Funeral Rule — and Why It Matters
- The FTC Funeral Rule gives you the right to choose only the goods and services you want. You’re not forced into expensive packages, and you can avoid unnecessary add-ons. Consumer Advice+2Legal Information Institute+2
- Under the Rule, funeral providers must provide a written, itemized price list — the General Price List (GPL) — before showing caskets or discussing arrangements. Federal Trade Commission+2sdmsonline.com+2
- The Rule explicitly states that you may purchase a casket from a third-party seller (like Caskets-Direct.com), and the funeral home cannot charge you a fee or refuse to accept it. Consumer Advice+2funeralconsumerswmass.org+2
How “Eliminating the Middleman” Translates into Real Savings
🔹 Low Retail Price + No Hidden Markups
When you buy directly through a specialized casket retailer, you avoid the high markups typically added by funeral homes. Many caskets sold by funeral homes carry inflated prices — markups as part of bundled funeral packages. By purchasing through an independent supplier, you circumvent that markup and pass the savings directly to your family.
🔹 Transparent Pricing & Full Control
Because of the FTC Rule’s requirement for itemized price lists (GPL, Casket Price List, Outer Burial Container Price List), you can compare apples-to-apples — and know exactly what you’re paying for. You decide whether to pay for embalming, viewing, vaults, or just an affordable casket or cremation container. Federal Trade Commission+2Legal Information Institute+2
You’re not forced into a bundled package, which often includes goods or services you may not need. Consumer Advice+2funerals.org+2
🔹 No “Handling Fee” For Using a Third-Party Casket
Under the FTC Rule, funeral homes cannot legally charge a “casket handling fee” or any extra fee if you bring your own casket. funeralconsumerswmass.org+2FTC Bulkorder Publications+2
That means you won’t lose your savings to hidden surcharges — what you see (and pay) for the casket is the final cost.
🔹 Enhanced Competition Drives Pricing Down
When more consumers exercise their rights under the FTC Funeral Rule — buying from third-party casket providers — it increases competition and arguably drives casket prices down overall. That gives everyone, including future families, access to more affordable options. Law Resource+2Funeral Home Consulting+2
Why Caskets-Direct.com Is Built on This Consumer-First Principle
At Caskets-Direct.com we believe in fair pricing, full transparency, and respect for your choices. By offering high-quality caskets at honest prices — and by making it easy to comply with the FTC Funeral Rule — we help families avoid unnecessary costs, reduce stress, and make funeral planning more dignified and affordable.
Because of the FTC ruling:
- You don’t have to settle for overpriced caskets from a funeral home.
- You don’t have to pay for services or products you don’t need.
- You don’t need to worry about hidden fees or inflated markups.