How to Choose a Funeral Home
last updated on March 26, 2024This extensive guide is written to help you choose a funeral home. You can choose a funeral home both before or after a death occurs. This guide will help you plan and research the right funeral home for you or your loved one’s celebration of life.
People often select a funeral home because it’s close to home, has served their family in the past, or is recommended by someone they trust. But limiting your options to just one funeral home often results in you paying more than necessary for the funeral. It also narrows your choice of goods and services.
Looking for a funeral home doesn’t have to be difficult, especially if you do it before the need for a funeral arises. Planning ahead can help you make thoughtful and informed decisions about the funeral arrangements.
This guide will help you find and choose a professional, knowledgeable, and caring funeral home that best meets your needs. By choosing wisely, you could save a lot of money and get satisfaction from the goods and services you will receive.
FOR EASIER NAVIGATION:
- How To Choose A Funeral Home
- Qualities Of A Good Funeral Home
- How Can Funeral Funds Help Me?
- Additional Questions & Answers On How To Choose A Funeral Home
How To Choose A Funeral Home
1. UNDERSTAND YOUR NEED
You should know what type of funeral service you want before you call the funeral home. Funeral homes will often try to sell you an expensive funeral package if you call without any idea, including any extra services. These services include embalming, casket, dressing the body, and funeral viewing.
Many families may want these extra services, but some don’t require them, and they will be satisfied with a direct burial or direct cremation without embalming. Knowing what funeral services and goods you need, you can ask the funeral homes for them, and you will not have to pay for unnecessary items.
Choose the Type of Funeral Arrangement
- You may want to donate your body to a medical school or research facility. Your survivors will incur no charge if you choose this option. The medical school will pay for your cremation.
- Direct cremation and direct burial do not need embalming or viewing. This option is less expensive.
- You can also opt for a green or natural burial, where you will be put in a shroud or cardboard box. This option is also affordable and ecologically friendly.
- You could also consider a funeral service at home instead of paying for the funeral home facility and staff.
- You can also choose to have a traditional burial with embalming, viewing, flowers, and an elaborate funeral service.
Write down the funeral arrangement you want in advance so your family will know your funeral preferences. Your funeral choices will be the most significant factor that will help you determine the most reasonably-priced funeral home that will fulfill your final wishes.
2. KNOW YOUR PRIORITIES
List your priorities. Here are some guide questions to ask yourself to set your priorities.
- Do you want a funeral home close to your home, cemetery, or church?
- How important is the proximity of the funeral home to your home?
- Are you satisfied with the funeral home you used before?
- Are you going to adhere to your cultural or religious norm?
- Do you want to have a visitation, viewing, or funeral?
- Do you want a large funeral facility with enough parking?
- Will you need high-tech video screens?
- Do you want a simple funeral?
- Is simplicity or extravagance your priority?
3. SET A BUDGET AFTER CONSULTING YOUR FAMILY
Consult with your family, discuss your budget, and decide on the affordable amount you are willing to pay without causing hardship. You need to know your budget before you start shopping for a funeral.
Looking for a funeral home must be like an expensive purchase – know its affordability before making a purchase. Accepting the funeral home pricing and then struggling to find the funds later is a costly mistake.
Ask your loved ones about their preferences. If you want to make a funeral plan for a family member, check to see if they left their last wishes on paper.
Ask your family if your loved one had already prepaid their funeral years ago. Check for any burial plans or documents that could aid in making decisions before you choose a funeral home.
4. HOW TO FIND A FUNERAL HOME
Once you’ve determined the qualities you look for in a funeral home, you can use these criteria to find potential funeral homes. There are several ways to find a reputable funeral home in your area:
- Ask for recommendations – ask friends and family members if they know of a funeral home they can recommend. Ask about their funeral home experiences.
- Search online – look for funeral homes in your area online. You can also search for local funeral homes in online directories. Check for customer reviews on sites like Yelp or Angie’s list before making a decision.
- Call professional Funeral Associations – Ask the funeral association, such as the National Funeral Directors Association, for a list of active members in your area. Funeral associations require their members to adhere to a strict code of conduct.
THE FUNERAL RULE
The Federal Trade Commission enforces a Funeral Rule to make it possible to choose the goods and services you need and pay only for those you select.
The Funeral Rule gives you the right to:
- Buy only the funeral arrangements you want
- Get itemized pricing over the telephone
- Get a written price list for each item when you go to the funeral home
- See a written casket price list before you see the actual caskets
- See a written outer burial container price list
- Get a written quote after you decide what you want and before you pay
- Get an explanation in the written statement from the funeral home that describes any legal cemetery or crematory requirements.
- Use another container in place of a casket for cremation
- Use a casket or urn you buy elsewhere
- Make funeral arrangements without embalming
5. GET A QUOTE AND COMPARE PRICES
Once you know what services you need, you can ask the funeral home for the list of prices. You can also ask your nearest Funeral Association to check if they have a copy of the price list in your local area. If you can’t find a price survey, look online for funeral home listings.
The funeral home is required to give you the price of their funeral goods and services. Check the range of cost for the funeral goods and services you need. Make a cost comparison before picking out the most affordable funeral home.
Typical services and goods associated with a traditional full-service funeral:
- Pickup of the body
- Embalming and other preparation
- Cremation
- Coffin/Urn
- Funeral directors and staff fees
- Funeral home facility use
- Burial vault
- Graveside service, including staff and equipment
- Hearse
- Other vehicles
6. CALL AROUND
Most people overpay for funerals because they do not shop at multiple funeral homes. Do not settle for the geographically closest one to your home without comparing prices.
Check the Red Book Funeral Directory or National Funeral Directors Association for the funeral homes nearest to your area and get their contact information.
If you’re conducting a price comparison, save yourself time and travel by calling the funeral home directly. Call five to seven funeral homes and get the prices for goods and funeral services you need. Compare the prices before choosing a funeral home. Comparing prices can save you thousands of dollars for the same funeral services.
7. VISIT THE FUNERAL HOMES FACILITY
After calling funeral homes and comparing prices, schedule a meeting with the funeral director to check their facilities. List your concern and bring that list together with a less emotional friend and more objective about the arrangement than you. Meet the funeral director and tour each facility carefully. Assess the facilities and staff.
You may want to check their urn collection and caskets. Check the cleanliness and appearance of the funeral home. Assess if the staffs are helpful. Ask if they respect your religious and cultural beliefs. Check to see if they utilize modern technology. Choose a funeral home with a funeral director you are agreeable with, and you like the facilities.
Go over your specific funeral arrangement choices with the funeral director and request a quote. The quote should include the services and items you need, the price, and the total cost. Get a copy of the quote to review objectively. Compare quotes and talk them out with your family.
8. NARROW DOWN YOUR SELECTION
After comparing prices, narrow down your list of potential funeral homes. Below are some guide questions to consider.
GUIDE QUESTIONS IN CHOOSING THE RIGHT FUNERAL HOME
- How long have you been in business?
- Are you an independent funeral home?
- Do you belong to any associations or organizations?
- Are your services handled in-house or outsourced to vendors?
- Do you own a crematory?
- What kinds of funeral packages do you offer?
- Do you have separate pricing for urns, caskets, and other funeral goods?
- Will you respect my personal beliefs?
- Can I customize the funeral service?
- What are my payment options?
- Are you familiar with burial insurance? Will you work with my insurance company?
- Are you on call 24/7?
9. KNOW YOUR PAYMENT OPTIONS
Ask the funeral directors about the payment options. Find out if they are familiar with burial insurance or final expense insurance. Will they work with your insurance company even if the funeral home’s burial insurance was not purchased? The funeral home should be able to work with your insurance company.
In case of financial need, find out if they can arrange accommodations for the most affordable services possible. They should also outline what happens when they get a death notification.
10. MAKE YOUR DECISION
Thoroughly evaluate all the information from different funeral homes and compare prices for each good and service you require. Assess the facility and staff before choosing the funeral home you want best. You can then ask the funeral director to start the funeral arrangements.
Begin by answering the pre-need planning questionnaire of the funeral home and give all the details. Make an advance payment if the funeral home requires it. But, never sign any contract that you and your family can’t find the money for.
If you want to pre-arrange your funeral, don’t forget to inform your family about your plans. Show them your written instructions and your chosen funeral home. Copies of your last wishes must be given to your family. Avoid putting your written instructions in your safe deposit box because they may find it after the funeral.
Qualities Of A Good Funeral Home
Here’s a list of qualities a good funeral home should possess. Consider these qualities when choosing a funeral home.
1. Possess a good reputation
When looking for a funeral home, select one with a good reputation. Read online reviews, and ask for people’s stories about their personal experiences with the funeral home.
2. Offers a good location, services, and facility
Choose a funeral home at a convenient location, near your home or the cemetery. A convenient location will be helpful for funeral preparations. Check the funeral home facility. Will it be able to hold the number of guests you expect? Make sure that the funeral home offers the services you need. Do they offer embalming, cremation, or transportation services? Make sure the funeral home can accomplish your wishes.
3. Transparent on Cost and product description
Funeral homes are required to follow the Funeral Rule by The Federal Trade Commission. They must provide you with a general price list of their products and services.
4. Accommodates religious and cultural beliefs
A good funeral home will help you honor your cultural and religious beliefs.
5. Employs compassionate staff
Funeral staff must know how to treat grieving families with kindness and professionalism. Excellent customer service gives the funeral home a good reputation.
6. Willing to provide a personalized experience
The funeral home will create a personalized service that is unique to your needs and values. The best funeral is the personalized one.
7. Uses Up-to-date technology
Look for a funeral home that uses up-to-date technology to create memorial videos, online funeral planning services, and webcasting services.
8. Excellent customer service
Funeral homes with caring and compassionate staff can give excellent customer service. The company is committed to the families they serve. Check for good online reviews.
9. Offers grief support
Check if the funeral home provides after-sales services like grief counseling, in-home visits, and phone calls.
10. Provides education and community programs
A good funeral home involves the community during and after the funeral. They also provide education programs about estate planning and funeral preplanning.
How Can Funeral Funds Help Me?
Trying to pay for a funeral, burial, or cremation needn’t be frustrating; working with an independent agency like Funeral Funds will make the process easier and quicker.
We will work with you to find the plan that fits your financial requirements and budget. You don’t have to waste your precious time searching for multiple insurance companies anymore because we will do the dirty work for you.
We will shop your case at different insurance carriers and get you the best price.
We work with many A+ rated insurance carriers that specialize in covering high-risk clients like you. We will search all those companies to get the best rate. We will match you up with the best burial insurance company that gives the best rate.
We will assist you in securing the coverage you need at a rate you can afford. So, if you are looking for pre-paid funeral, pre-paid burial, or life insurance.
Fill out our quote form on this page or call us at 888) 862-9456, and we can give you an accurate quote.
Additional Questions & Answers On How To Choose A Funeral Home
What do people look for in a funeral home?
There are many things to consider when choosing a funeral home. Some people want a traditional funeral home, while others prefer a more modern facility. There are also many things to consider regarding location, price, and services.
What should I know before going to a funeral home?
Some funeral homes require appointments for consultations, while others do not. Knowing what kind of services the funeral home offers and their prices is also important. It is also a good idea to ask about any discounts that might be available.
What are some things to look for in a funeral home?
When visiting a funeral home, paying attention to the facility’s appearance is important. The funeral home should be clean and well-maintained. The staff should be professional and courteous. It is also good to ask about the services offered and the prices.
What questions should I ask at a funeral home?
Some questions that you might want to ask at a funeral home include:
- What services do you offer?
- What are your prices?
- Do you offer any discounts?
- What is the appearance of the facility?
- Is the staff professional and courteous?
- What is the funeral home’s policy on appointments?
- What is the funeral home’s policy on payments?
- What is the funeral home’s policy on refunds?
- What is the funeral home’s policy on funerals?
- What is the funeral home’s policy on burial?
What questions should I ask when planning a funeral?
When planning a funeral, you might want to ask:
- What type of funeral do you want?
- Do you want a traditional or a more modern service?
- What is your budget?
- What are your preferences regarding location, price, and services offered?
What should I look for when choosing a funeral home?
Some things that you might want to look for when choosing a funeral home include:
- The funeral home’s appearance
- The staff’s professionalism and courtesy
- The services offered and the prices
- Any discounts that might be available
- The funeral home’s policy on appointments, payments, refunds, funerals, and burial.
What should I expect from a funeral director?
A funeral director should be able to answer any questions about funeral planning. They should also be able to provide you with information on the services offered by the funeral home and the prices. The funeral director should be able to help you plan a funeral that is within your budget and meets your preferences.
When do you shop for a funeral home?
You can shop for a funeral home at any time. However, it is generally recommended that you shop for a funeral home when you are planning a funeral. This will allow you to compare the services and prices of different funeral homes.
What is the best time to visit a funeral home?
The best time to visit a funeral home is during business hours. This will allow you to speak with a funeral director and ask any questions that you might have. You should also be able to tour the facility and see the services that are offered.
What is the difference between a funeral home and a cremation center?
A funeral home is a facility that provides services for funerals. A cremation center is a facility that provides services for cremations. Cremation centers generally do not have funeral homes on-site.
How do you shop for a funeral home?
When shopping for a funeral home, comparing different funeral homes’ prices, services, and policies is important. It is also good to visit the funeral home and speak with the staff.
How can you avoid high funeral costs?
There are a few ways to avoid high funeral costs. One way is to shop around and compare the prices of different funeral homes. Another way is to choose a more simple funeral service. Finally, you can ask about any discounts that might be available.
How do I choose a funeral director?
When choosing a funeral director, finding someone experienced and trustworthy is important. Finding someone willing to answer any questions you might have is also good.
What happens at the funeral home before the funeral?
The funeral home will generally prepare the body for the funeral. They will also usually meet with the family to discuss the funeral arrangements. The funeral home will also provide transportation to and from the funeral.
What should I know before going to a funeral home?
Before going to a funeral home, you should know their services and the prices. You should also know what type of funeral you would like. Finally, it is always good to ask any questions that you might have.
What are some common mistakes people make when choosing a funeral home?
When choosing a funeral home, people make common mistakes, including not comparing prices, not visiting the funeral home in person, and not asking enough questions.
What do you bring to a funeral director?
When you meet with a funeral director, you should bring any information that you have about the funeral. This includes the date, time, and location of the funeral. You should also bring a list of any questions that you might have.
Should you shop around for funeral homes?
Yes, you should shop around for funeral homes. This will allow you to compare the services and prices of different funeral homes.
How to shop for a funeral home?
When shopping for a funeral home, comparing different funeral homes’ prices, services, and policies is important. It is also good to visit the funeral home and speak with the staff.
What is the FTC Funeral Rule?
The FTC Funeral Rule is a set of regulations that govern the funeral industry. The Rule requires funeral homes to provide consumers with information about their services and prices.
What do I need to buy from the funeral home?
The funeral home will generally provide transportation, the casket, and the vault. You may need to purchase the burial plot, flowers, and obituary notices.
What questions do you ask a funeral home?
When meeting with a funeral home, you should ask about their services and prices. You should also ask about any discounts that might be available. Finally, you should ask any questions that you might have about the funeral process.
What do you say when you call a funeral home?
When you call a funeral home, you will generally need to give them the name and address of the deceased. You will also need to provide the date and time of the funeral.
How do I choose a good funeral director?
When choosing a funeral director, it is important to find someone who is experienced and trustworthy. It is also good to find someone willing to answer any questions that you might have.
What is a selection room in a funeral home?
A selection room is a room in a funeral home where you can choose the casket and other funeral arrangements.
What questions should I ask at a funeral home?
When meeting with a funeral home, you should ask about their services and prices. You should also ask about any discounts that might be available.
How do you shop around for funeral services?
When shopping for funeral services, comparing different funeral homes’ prices, services, and policies is important. It is also good to visit the funeral home in person and speak with the staff.
Can you ask the funeral home for the lowest cost option?
Yes, you can ask the funeral home for the lowest-cost option. However, some funeral homes may not be willing to provide this information.
How to choose the lowest cost funeral home?
You can choose the lowest-cost funeral home by comparing the prices of different funeral homes. You should also ask about any discounts that might be available.
What is a full-service funeral home?
A full-service funeral home is a funeral home that provides transportation, the casket, and the vault. The funeral home will also generally provide the burial plot, flowers, and obituary notices.
What happens when someone dies at a funeral home?
The staff will generally notify the next of kin when someone dies at a funeral home.
What happens when you meet the funeral director?
The funeral director will generally ask you for information about the funeral. This includes the date, time, and location of the funeral. You should also bring a list of any questions that you might have.
What questions will a funeral director ask?
A funeral director will generally ask you for information. The funeral director will also ask about your budget and what type of service you would like.
How do you prepare for a funeral director meeting?
You should bring a list of any questions that you might have when you meet with the funeral director. You should also be prepared to discuss your budget and what type of service you would like.
When should you talk to a funeral director?
It is generally best to talk to a funeral director as soon as possible after the death of a loved one. This will allow you to make all of the arrangements in a timely manner.
What should I do if I am not satisfied with the funeral home?
If you are not satisfied with the funeral home, you can file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. You can also contact your state’s attorney general’s office to file a complaint.
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36 Comments
Kate Hansen
I'm glad that you mentioned that a funeral home will be compassionate. My grandmother recently passed away due to old age and I'm having some trouble with finding a funeral home. I'll make sure to keep this information in mind as I search for a funeral home.
Funeral Funds
Kate – here is a good website to do some shopping around for a funeral home.
https://www.parting.com/
Eli Richardson
I’m glad that you mention how it’s important to know the funeral arrangements you want, such as burial services or cremation. Once you know this and other requirements, such as where you want the burial, it might help to start research funeral homes in the area. Finding a local one could ensure that the services can get done quickly and you can properly remember your deceased loved one.
Funeral Funds
Eli – We are glad you found this helpful!
Henry Killingsworth
You made a good point when you talked about how it is important to schedule an appointment for a visit when you are looking to hire a funeral home for their services. Losing a loved one is not an easy process for anyone, and in my opinion, it is important to reduce as much stress as possible in situations like these. If I had to plan a funeral for a loved one, I would definitely want the help of a funeral home.
Funeral Funds
Henry – We see that you work at a funeral home, so we can see why you feel this way and suggest visiting a funeral home. We thank you for helping people in their greatest time of need each and every day. However, the reality is that the last thing many people want to do is to get stuck in a room with a funeral home salesperson.
Most people just want to make sure that there is money available to pay for their funeral so that it is not a burden on their children and loved ones. Once that is in place, they will have time to plan for the rest of their funeral arrangements soon thereafter. That is what we do at Funeral Funds.
At Funeral Funds, we provide an easy no-pressure shopping process that people can complete over the phone from the comfort of their own home. And when people are ready to do more planning, we provide a tremendous amount of free educational material on our website to help people with their funeral planning decisions.
Victoria Addington
Thanks for helping me choose funeral home services. My brother is in critical condition and is set to undergo surgery after a horrible car accident last night. In case he might not survive because according to the doctor he has a little chance to live, I'll start looking for funeral homes.
Funeral Funds
Victoria – We are sorry you and your family are going through this at this time. We have many free end-of-life planning resources on this website for you to view. Wishing your family peace, love, and healing at this terrible time.
Megan Alder
Someone, I know recently lost a family member, and I want to help him find a funeral home so he doesn't have to stress over it. I like that you recommended to first know the person's priorities, so you know what is a must and what isn't. I will definitely ask him that question indirectly so he doesn't feel pressure and start my search.
Funeral Funds
Megan – We are glad you found this article helpful!
Eli Richardson
Last year, an uncle passed away, and the funeral arrangements were a mess. My aunt and her son were incredibly stressed out and worried about not having a plan set out. Some life insurance would have been a great help during this time of loss.
Funeral Funds
Eli – We are sorry for your loss. This is one time in life that it doesn't pay to wait.
Adam Golightly
My uncle has been thinking about taking care of his family by planning what they should do for his funeral when he passes. He would really like to get some help from an insurance professional to make sure that they can relieve the stress on the family.
Funeral Funds
Adam – Let us know when your uncle is ready for help with this. We'll take great care of him!
Eli Richardson
It really helped when you said it's important to know what type of funeral arrangement you'd like to have. My wife and I want to plan ahead of time and prepare our funeral service. We believe that it's better to be prepared for this kind of situation, so we're researching all we need to know about burial insurance. We appreciate you helping us learn how to choose the best plan for us.
Braden Bills
We need to have a funeral for my uncle with his burial insurance money, but we don't want to gather together for it. It makes sense that we might want to find a funeral home that can make a nice video of it. That seems like a good way to ensure that we can still celebrate his life.
Funeral Funds
Branden – Sounds like a good plan, and we are sorry for the loss of your uncle.
Braden Billings
My dad passed away, and I wanted to make sure that we honored him with a proper funeral. We are so grateful that he had burial insurance in place and that we didn't have to come up with over $10,000 to bury him. Burial insurance is so wonderful for the people your family members who can't afford to pay this for you in the future.
Funeral Funds
Braden – Glad your dad had this taken care of for you. He sounds like an amazing man for doing this for you!
Kristofer Van Wagner
I am in complete agreement that when choosing a funeral home, it is advisable for us to consider our needs and priorities. In doing so, we will be choosing a funeral home that is suitable for us. My grandma has mentioned that she would like to be cremated and a small funeral for her. I will remind my mom to check with your company about some cremation insurance packages.
Funeral Funds
Kristofer – We are happy this was helpful for you! Let us know how when your grandma needs help with this.
Charlene Fleetwood
My husband's grandmother passed away last night and his family is in charge of choosing a funeral home. Her having burial insurance has been a huge blessing as we don't have to worry about any of the expenses falling on us to pay. I will definitely share Funeral Funds with my friends so they can get this taken care of in advance.
Funeral Funds
Charlene – Our condolences for our loss, and we look forward to helping your friends and family with this coverage.
Beverly Mineryard
I like that you mentioned accommodating religious and cultural beliefs. My friend's father just passed away and they need a traditional Japanese funeral for him. Thank you for all the tips on finding a funeral home.
Funeral Funds
Beverly – Glad it helped!
Paul Montgomery
My friend just mentioned last night that her uncle just passed away due to cancer illness and he has no children to take care of his passing. I burial insurance policy with the funeral home as the beneficiary would have eased the pain for everyone involved.
Funeral Funds
Paul – Sometimes single people don't think about getting this insurance, even though others will be affected when they die. We are sorry for your loss, and wish you the best in the future!
Charlotte Fleet
My parents need to find the best funeral home for my grandma's funeral. I appreciate your suggestion to ask for a recommendation to find a good funeral home. I'll have my parents get recommendations from their friends.
Kristofer Van Wagner
I am thankful that this post shared that when looking for a funeral home, it is important that we are mindful of our needs, such as the type of funeral we would like to have. It makes sense as that way, we can be certain that we are choosing the right funeral home. I will definitely keep this information in mind when I look for a funeral home for my grandma.
Claire Masters
With what's happening in our world right now, as early as 45, I am now thinking about my own funeral home plans since I know that it is not cheap. Thanks for mentioning life insurance as an option. I should look into this more since I wouldn't want to leave my children with this problem when I'm gone.
Thomas Clarence
You made an interesting point when you talked about how it could be a good idea to search for funeral homes by using an online directory. With that in mind, I would think that it would be a good idea to find a funeral home that is BBB accredited. A BBB accredited funeral home is going to be a reliable business to work with.
Alice Carroll
Thanks for the reminder that I should also look into how up-to-date a funeral home is when it comes to the technology that they use. I'm interested in learning more about at-home funeral services because my mother recently talked to me about what I should do when she passes on in the future. Hopefully, I will be able to prepare well so that inevitability wouldn't shock me too much.
Bella Wiley
We plan to have a funeral memorial for our friend who died from a tragic accident last week; we want it to be as memorable as possible.
I like how you mentioned the importance of hiring a company with the license and certification to operate.
I will share this with my friends and see how this can help us choose and decide how to deal with the demise of our friend.
Kristofer Van Wagner
I do agree that when looking for a funeral director or funeral home, it is best that we ask for recommendations. It makes perfect sense as in doing so, it ensures that we are able to ask about their experiences. I will definitely keep this information in mind when I look for a funeral home in the future.
Olivia Smart
Thank you for explaining that the funeral director can help you with planning a service that falls in your budget. My mom has been wondering if she should be relying on the funeral director to plan her funeral in advance. I'll have to share this point with her since it seems like they could help her with making the best decisions for herself.
Jessie Holloway
Thanks so much for the advice to already have an idea in mind when you are looking to start planning with a funeral home. My partner's grandfather recently passed and they've been trying to plan with family about the arrangements for the memorial. We'll have to look into finding a funeral home that can help them get the materials and staffing they need for the funeral day.