Consumer protection, pricing disclosures, and the FTC Funeral Rule as applied in Louisiana
This domain tests the Federal Trade Commission Funeral Rule and Louisiana’s consumer-protection overlay. The exam expects precise knowledge of price disclosures, itemization, and prohibited misrepresentations.
Core rules
- Funeral providers must give consumers a General Price List at the start of arrangements and before discussing selection, with itemized prices and required disclosures.
- Telephone callers who ask about prices must receive accurate price information from the General Price List; providers may not refuse to quote prices.
- Casket price lists and outer burial container price lists must be available, and consumers may not be required to buy a casket for direct cremation or immediate burial when no casket is required.
- Providers may not misrepresent that embalming is required by law, may not bundle goods without disclosure, and must give a written statement of goods and services selected and total cost.
- Louisiana law adds board discipline for deceptive or unfair practices, and price-list and contract records must be retained.
Worked example
A caller asks the price of direct cremation. The provider must quote the itemized direct cremation price and disclose that a casket is not required if the cremation is direct. Saying “we don’t give prices by phone” violates the Funeral Rule and can support board discipline.
Traps
Failing to hand over the General Price List until after selection is too late. Quoting only a package price without required itemization can mislead. Claiming embalming is always legally required is prohibited. Do not treat the Funeral Rule as irrelevant to Louisiana licensure; deceptive pricing is professional misconduct.