You Have the Right to Buy a Casket Anywhere
The short answer is no — you are not required to purchase a casket from a funeral home. Federal law explicitly protects your right to shop for a casket from any retailer, including online stores like Snapfuneral.
Under the FTC Funeral Rule (16 CFR Part 453), funeral homes must accept any casket you purchase elsewhere and cannot charge you a handling fee for doing so.
What the Law Says
The FTC Funeral Rule has been federal law since 1984. It requires funeral homes to:
- Accept any casket purchased from an outside retailer — no exceptions
- Not charge a "casket handling fee" or any surcharge for third-party caskets
- Provide you with an itemized price list so you can compare costs
- Not require you to purchase a package — you can buy only the services you need
How Much Can You Save?
Funeral homes typically mark up caskets 200–400% above wholesale. The average funeral home casket costs $2,500–$5,000. Snapfuneral caskets start at $1,274 — the same quality, a fraction of the price.
| Where You Buy | Average Casket Price | You Save |
|---|---|---|
| Funeral home (marked up) | $3,000 – $5,000 | — |
| Snapfuneral (direct) | $1,274 – $3,187 | Up to $3,700+ |
How Does It Work in Practice?
- Browse and order your casket on Snapfuneral
- We ship directly to your chosen funeral home within 24–48 hours
- The funeral home is legally required to accept it at no extra charge
- You proceed with arrangements as normal
Tip: Inform the funeral home early that you'll be providing your own casket. Most are entirely accustomed to this.
What If a Funeral Home Refuses?
If a funeral home refuses to accept your casket or charges you a handling fee, they are in violation of federal law. You can file a complaint directly with the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint or call 1-877-382-4357.