Understanding the Funeral Goods and Services Statement, the General Price List (GPL), and the Casket Price List (CPL) — Your Most Important Shopping Tools

When you’re planning a funeral or cremation — whether in advance or at the time of need — there are three key documents you should always request: the Funeral Goods and Services Statement, the General Price List (GPL), and the Casket Price List (CPL) if the provider sells caskets or urns.

The GPL and CPL are required by the FTC Funeral Rule to give you transparent pricing for all goods and services offered. But the Funeral Goods and Services Statement is the most important — it’s the only document that shows exactly what you have selected, the price for each item, and the total cost. It’s your final reference for what’s included, what’s not, and what you’re actually committing to pay.

📄 The Funeral Goods and Services Statement

Once you’ve made your selections, the provider must give you an Itemized Statement of Funeral Goods and Services Selected — sometimes called the “funeral contract” or “arrangement worksheet.”

The FTC explains the requirements for this document in its Complying with the Funeral Rule guide, including what must be disclosed and how costs must be itemized.

This statement:

• Lists exactly what you’ve chosen — both goods (like caskets, urns, printed programs) and services (like embalming, transportation, use of facilities)
• Shows the price for each item and the total cost
• Notes any legal or cemetery/crematory requirements for certain items
• Is your final, binding record of what’s included and what’s not

Unlike the GPL or CPL, which show all possible options and prices, the Funeral Goods and Services Statement is specific to your arrangement — it’s the document you’ll use to confirm you’re getting exactly what you agreed to.

📜 The General Price List (GPL)

The General Price List is a document that every funeral home and cremation provider in the United States is required by federal law to give you before you discuss arrangements, pricing, or sign a contract.

It must:

• List every funeral good and service offered, with the price for each
• Show any package prices and what they contain
• Include required FTC disclosures, such as your right to choose only the goods and services you want (with some legal exceptions)

The GPL is about price transparency — it doesn’t dictate what must be included in a package, but it ensures you can see and compare the cost of each item or service.

🪵 The Casket Price List (CPL) — and Urns, Too

If a funeral home offers caskets for sale, the FTC Funeral Rule also requires them to give you a Casket Price List before showing you any caskets — whether in person, in a catalog, or online.

Key points:

• The CPL must list every casket and alternative container they offer for sale, with descriptions and prices.
• Urns are part of this disclosure. If the provider sells urns, they must be listed — either in the CPL or in a combined casket/urn price list.
• You have the right to buy a casket or urn elsewhere, and the funeral home must accept it without charging a handling fee.

Like the GPL, the CPL is about price disclosure, not about mandating what’s included in a service package.

🛡️ Inflation Protection — Why It’s Worth Asking About

One of the strongest reasons to preplan is inflation protection — locking in today’s prices for the goods and services you choose. Funeral and cremation costs rise over time, and a solid price guarantee can save your family thousands.

When done right, inflation protection means:

• You pay today’s rates for services that may not be needed for many years
• Your family avoids surprise price hikes at the time of need
• Budgeting is easier because you know exactly what’s covered and what it will cost

The pitfall: Some providers only guarantee the price of the main service package but leave other required items — like upgraded caskets or urns, flowers, printed programs, or facility use — to be billed later at future prices. These “other” charges can sometimes add up to more than the prepaid portion.

How to protect yourself:

• Make sure 100% of the required goods and services you want are listed in the GPL, CPL, and your Funeral Goods and Services Statement
• Confirm that every one of those items is covered by the price guarantee
• Get the guarantee in writing

🔍 How to Compare Providers

1. Get the GPL and CPL from each provider to see their full range of offerings and prices.
2. Request a sample Funeral Goods and Services Statement for the type of arrangement you want — this shows how the provider actually bundles and prices items in a real contract.
3. Compare statements side‑by‑side to see:
   • Which goods and services are included
   • Which are extra
   • How the totals differ for the same or similar arrangements
4. Ask about inflation protection for every item you plan to prepay.
5. Look for transparency — a provider that hesitates to give you these documents is a red flag.

✅ Bundled Packages Can Be Fine

There’s nothing wrong with bundled packages — they can simplify planning and sometimes save money. The key is knowing:

• Exactly what’s included in the bundle
• What’s not included and will be billed separately
• Whether the package items are covered by inflation protection

⚠️ Red Flags in Price Lists or Statements

• Required items missing from the Funeral Goods and Services Statement
• High “basic services” fees with vague descriptions
• Extra charges for essential steps like transportation or refrigeration
• No urn listed even though cremation is offered

The Bottom Line

The Funeral Goods and Services Statement is your most important document — it’s the contract that locks in exactly what you’re buying. The GPL and CPL give you the big picture on pricing and merchandise. Together, they’re your best tools for making apples‑to‑apples comparisons, confirming inflation protection, and avoiding paying twice for the same service.

Related resources:

• Red Flags When Shopping for a Prepaid Funeral or Cremation Plan
• All the Ways to Fund a Prepaid Funeral or Cremation — Ranked by Safety
• Cremation vs. Burial: Costs, Traditions, and Environmental Impact