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Consumer Tips When Working With a Funeral Home

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Consumer Tips When Working With a Funeral Home

Finding a Funeral Home in New York City

To find a funeral home, visit:

Important:
Only licensed funeral directors can make arrangements for the care, moving preparation, and burial or cremation of a deceased person. This includes filing the death certificate, transferring the body, coordinating with the cemetery or crematory, and moving the body to the cemetery or crematory.

Working with a Funeral Home

You have several options when arranging a funeral:

  • Burial involves the purchase of a plot along with cemetery fees.
  • Cremation involves reducing the deceased to ashes, which are either given directly back to you or deposited in a vault.
  • Full-service funeral usually includes a viewing or visitation and formal funeral service, use of a hearse to transport the body to the funeral site and cemetery, and burial, entombment, or cremation of the remains.
  • Direct burial includes a graveside service in the fee but there is no formal viewing, visitation, or ceremony.

In general, cremation is less expensive than burial and direct burial is less expensive than a full-service funeral.

Embalming the body is another optional service. Some funeral parlors may require it. Customers who do not choose embalming, however, may be charged to topically disinfect that body (part of the embalming process) as well as a refrigeration fee to cool the body. These charges must be stated up front. By law, no funeral director can refuse to embalm a body, regardless of the cause of death of the deceased.

Before hiring a funeral home:

  • Get a general price list from multiple funeral homes to compare prices when making arrangements either over the phone or in person. The list should include prices for all merchandise and services. Many funeral homes offer “packages,” but you have the right to buy things separately.

After you’ve chosen a funeral home:

  • Schedule an arrangement conference.
    You will discuss with the funeral director exactly what you want. The cost of the conference will be included in your Basic Arrangements Fee, which also covers the arrangements for final disposition of the body and services of the funeral director, staff, and equipment to respond to a death or inquiry. This fee also includes the cost of securing necessary authorizations, such as filing the death certificate and getting permits. You cannot decline this charge. However, if you choose direct burial or direct cremation, the arrangements fee cannot be added, since it is already included in the overall price.
  • Understand the cash advance items.
    You may be charged a fee for Cash Advance Items, or services and merchandise the funeral home pays directly to a third party, such as fees for the cemetery or crematory, death certificates, and clergy. The funeral home cannot profit on these items. If you choose, you may be able to pay for cash advance items directly. Regardless of who pays, be sure to get a receipt for these items.
  • Get an Itemized Statement of Services and Merchandise (receipt) that lists the merchandise and services (including cash advance items), the price of each, and the total cost. Note: You may be charged:
    • A custodial care fee, which charges the customer for the days the body is being held, though no services are being performed.
    • A transfer of remains fee, which covers transportation of the body from the place where the death occurred to the funeral home.
  • Know that you have the right to change funeral homes at any time. You must pay for any services that have been performed and for which you gave approval. The funeral home must allow the transfer of the body to another funeral home, even if you haven’t paid yet.

It’s illegal for funeral homes to:

  • Pressure you to select certain merchandise or services.
  • Have someone other than a licensed funeral director make funeral arrangements, prepare the body, or supervise the burial.
  • State or imply that any merchandise offered for sale is unsatisfactory in any way.
  • Make a claim that is false, misleading, or unproven about any merchandise or services.
  • Charge a fee for:
    • filing the death certificate or getting it medically certified.
    • paying third parties on your behalf (“handling fee”).
    • handling a casket you provided.
    • any service or merchandise you didn’t choose.
    • interest on an outstanding balance (unless this charge was disclosed when you decided arrangements and is on the itemized statement).

Complaints

For funeral home pricing complaints, file a complaint online with DCWP or call 311.

For complaints about funeral homes or funeral directors, file a complaint with the New York State Department of Health Bureau of Funeral Directing at health.ny.gov.

For complaints about cemeteries or crematories, file a complaint with the New York State Department of State Division of Cemeteries at dos.ny.gov.

Paying for a Funeral

Apply for Burial Assistance, if eligible.
Low-income New York City residents may be eligible for up to $1,700 in financial assistance to meet funeral expenses for a deceased low-income New York City resident family member or friend. Eligible expenses cannot cost more than $3,400. You must apply within 120 days from the date of the person’s death. For more information:

  • Visit the NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA) website at nyc.gov/hra
  • Call 1-929-252-7731

Apply for Veterans Burial Benefits, if eligible.
Veterans, service members, spouses, and dependents may qualify for burial in a Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemetery, as well as other benefits. For more information:

Get free financial counseling.

Get free legal help with wills and estates.

Keep track of any money you spend.

  • You will need this information for your tax return.

Important Paperwork and Notifications

Get:

  • Important papers together, including will, life insurance policies, and stock certificates. Note: If your loved one already selected and paid for their own funeral before death, this is known as "pre-need” plans. These procedures are regulated by the State Pre-need Funeral Consumer Protection Act. Learn more at NYS Department of Health.
  • Death certificate. Your funeral director can order death certificates for you, or you can contact the NYC Health Department:

Notify:

  • Your loved one’s employer (if applicable)
    Provide the deceased's name, Social Security number, date of death; whether the death was due to accident or illness; your name and address. The company can then begin to process any benefits payable immediately.
  • Medicare if your loved one had Medicare coverage: Provide the deceased's name, Social Security number, date of death; whether the death was due to accident or illness; your name and address.
  • Social Security
    • Call 1-800-772-1213 | (TTY 1-800-325-0778)
      You cannot report a death or apply for survivors’ benefits online.
      You must return to Social Security any benefits received for the month of death or later.

Additional Resources

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (also regulates funeral homes):

NYC Well (confidential 24/7 help line if you need to talk with someone):



06/2024