Consumer Protection
Consumer Protection tests the rules that govern what a family is told, charged, and allowed to choose. The FTC Funeral Rule (16 CFR Part 453) and Illinois consumer law set the baseline; Illinois’ Disposition of Remains Act and pre-need trust rules add state-specific duties.
Core rules
- Provide a General Price List to anyone who asks in person; give telephone price information on request.
- Give an itemized statement of goods and services selected and a Statement of Funeral Goods and Services Selected.
- Do not require embalming or a casket where not required by law; disclose casket handling fees if you charge them.
- Follow the statutory priority for disposition of remains; document the authorized person.
- Under the Illinois Funeral or Burial Funds Act, pre-need contracts must be written and funded through trust; 80% of the purchase price is the standard trust deposit.
Worked example
A caller asks, ‘What is your cheapest direct cremation?’ You must give an accurate price from your GPL and disclose that no casket is required if Illinois law does not require one for cremation. If the caller later buys a $10,000 pre-need contract, the trust deposit is generally $8,000 (80%), with the remaining $2,000 retained under the contract terms.
Traps
Quoting ‘starting at’ prices that omit required fees. Charging a casket handling fee without disclosure. Letting a friend or distant relative authorize disposition over a higher-priority spouse. Treating pre-need money as immediate revenue.