Funeral Home Refused to Give You a Price List in California? Here's Exactly What to Do (FTC Complaint Guide)

They Broke the Law. Here Is What You Do About It.

You walked into a funeral home in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, or anywhere in California, asked for a General Price List (GPL), and they said: "We don't have a printed price list," or "I can just tell you the prices," or "You need to make an appointment for that." Every one of those responses is a violation of federal law. The FTC Funeral Rule (16 CFR Part 453), in effect since 1984, requires every funeral home in the United States to give you an itemized, written General Price List the moment you ask — in person or by phone. No appointment. No obligation. No exceptions.

Here is exactly what to do, step by step, when a California funeral home refuses.

Step 1: Document the Refusal (Do This Immediately)

Before you do anything else, write down:

• The name of the funeral home. Exact business name as it appears on the building.
• The date and time. When you asked and when they refused.
• The name of the person you spoke with. If they would not give their name, describe them (approximate age, gender, role).
• Exactly what they said. Did they say "we don't have a printed price list"? "You need to make an appointment"? "I can just tell you verbally"? The exact words matter. If they gave you a GPL but it only showed package prices, not individual item prices, that is also a violation — document that too.
• How you asked. In person? By phone? If by phone, note the number you called and the time of the call.

Do not confront them about the law. Your job is to document, not to educate the funeral director about federal regulations. Just write down what happened and move on to Step 2.

Step 2: File an FTC Complaint (15 Minutes)

The FTC investigates patterns of Funeral Rule violations. One complaint might not trigger an investigation. Ten complaints about the same funeral home, documented with specific dates and names, absolutely will. Here is how to file:

1. Go to reportfraud.ftc.gov
2. Click "Report Now"
3. Under "What was the issue?" select "Funeral services, cemeteries, or cremation"
4. In the description field, paste your documentation from Step 1. Include: funeral home name, address, date, person you spoke with, and exactly what they said. Example: "On June 17, 2026, at approximately 2:00 PM, I walked into [Funeral Home Name] at [address] and asked for a General Price List. The funeral director, [name or description], told me 'we don't have a printed price list, I can just tell you the prices.' I was not offered an itemized written document."
5. Submit.

You will not get an individual response. The FTC does not resolve individual complaints — they investigate patterns. Your complaint becomes part of the pattern.

Step 3: File with the California Cemetery and Funeral Bureau (10 Minutes)

California has its own funeral industry regulator — the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau (CFB) under the Department of Consumer Affairs. California requires funeral homes to do more than the FTC Rule requires: they must post their GPL online (California AB 1520). If the funeral home has no GPL on their website, that is a separate California violation.

File a complaint with the CFB at cfb.ca.gov → "File a Complaint." Include the same documentation from Step 1. The CFB has the authority to investigate, issue citations, and impose fines on California-licensed funeral establishments. They are more responsive than the FTC for individual complaints.

Step 4: Get Prices from a Competitor

While the complaints are pending, you still need to plan a funeral. Call 2-3 other funeral homes in the same area and ask for their GPL by phone — which they are legally required to provide. Do not tell them about the problem with the first funeral home. Just ask for prices. You will likely find that the funeral home that refused to give you a GPL was overcharging — funeral homes that hide prices are almost always more expensive than transparent ones. Use the FinalCostGuide city price comparison to find the price range for your city so you know what is reasonable before you call.

What Happens After You File

• FTC: Your complaint is logged and aggregated. If the same funeral home accumulates multiple complaints with similar documented violations, the FTC may open an investigation. FTC Funeral Rule penalties are up to $50,120 per violation. The FTC has brought enforcement actions against funeral homes in California — the threat is real.
• California CFB: The CFB reviews complaints within 60-90 days. If they find a violation, they may issue a citation, require corrective action, or suspend/revoke the funeral establishment license. California is one of the most active states in funeral home enforcement.

Sources: FTC Funeral Rule (16 CFR Part 453) · California Business and Professions Code, Funeral Directors and Embalmers Law · California AB 1520 (2022) · California Cemetery and Funeral Bureau enforcement records. Disclaimer: This guide is informational and does not constitute legal advice. If you believe a funeral home has violated the law, consult an attorney or contact the agencies listed above directly.

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