The Center for Data Innovation has responded to the Federal Trade Commission ‘s (FTC) request for comments on proposed changes to the Funeral Rule. The Funeral Rule, issued in 1984, specifies that funeral providers must disclose the cost of specific funeral goods and services to the purchaser and provide itemized price lists for funeral good and services to consumers who visit the funeral home in-person, among other requirements.
The FTC is considering updating the Funeral Rule to require funeral providers to display or distribute itemized price lists online and through electronic media. The Center for Data Innovation supports the proposed change, noting that updating the rule would allow consumers to more easily compare prices across the funeral services industry and likely lead to cost savings for funeral services.
Summary
The Commission is considering amending the Funeral Rule to require funeral providers to display or distribute their price information online and through electronic media. The Center supports this change and offers the following key takeaways:
- The updated Funeral Rule should require funeral providers to display pricing information for funeral services online, if a provider maintains a web presence.
- Public price lists should indicate what funeral services and products, if any, are legally required.
- Providing pricing information online would allow consumers to more easily compare prices across the funeral services industry.
- Funeral services providers have not unilaterally increased price transparency, despite the shift to e-commerce over the past two decades.
Read the filing.
