Insights

Research, Regulation, and Guidance

Plain-language analysis of the rules that govern funeral service and the rights that protect families.

Puzzle pieces with the word "regulation" revealed.
The Rule Nobody Reads (But Everybody Should) · Part 1 of 10

Why Does a 42-Year-Old Rule Still Matter?

There is exactly one federal regulation designed to protect you when buying funeral goods and services. It was last updated in 1994. Here's why it still matters.
Puzzle pieces with the word "regulation" revealed.
The Rule Nobody Reads (But Everybody Should) · Part 2 of 10

The General Price List: Your Most Powerful Tool

The GPL is the centerpiece of the Funeral Rule. It's the single most important consumer document in funeral service. Most families never see one until they're already in the arrangement room.
Puzzle pieces with the word "regulation" revealed.
The Rule Nobody Reads (But Everybody Should) · Part 3 of 10

The Right to Choose: Unbundling, Explained

The Funeral Rule gives you the right to select only the goods and services you want. But exercising that right requires knowing it exists before you need it.
Puzzle pieces with the word "regulation" revealed.
The Rule Nobody Reads (But Everybody Should) · Part 4 of 10

Embalming: Required, Requested, or Recommended?

Most families believe embalming is required by law. In the vast majority of states and circumstances, it is not. Here's what the Funeral Rule actually says.
Puzzle pieces with the word "regulation" revealed.
The Rule Nobody Reads (But Everybody Should) · Part 5 of 10

Caskets, Containers, and the Right to Shop Around

The casket is the most expensive item on most funeral bills. The Funeral Rule says you can buy one anywhere and the funeral home can't charge you a fee for it. Most families don't know.
Puzzle pieces with the word "regulation" revealed.
The Rule Nobody Reads (But Everybody Should) · Part 6 of 10

What the Funeral Rule Doesn't Cover (And Why That Matters)

The Funeral Rule was written for a burial-centered industry. Cremation now exceeds 60%. Here are six gaps in the regulation that leave families unprotected.
Puzzle pieces with the word "regulation" revealed.
The Rule Nobody Reads (But Everybody Should) · Part 7 of 10

Price Transparency in 2026: GPLs, Phones, and the Internet

The FTC's first-ever telephone pricing sweep found 14% of funeral homes failed to disclose prices over the phone. Online posting still isn't required. Here's where transparency stands.
Puzzle pieces with the word "regulation" revealed.
The Rule Nobody Reads (But Everybody Should) · Part 8 of 10

State vs. Federal: Where the Funeral Rule Ends and Your State Begins

The Funeral Rule is a federal floor. Your state adds its own regulations on top. Licensing, pre-need contracts, cemeteries, and enforcement vary dramatically by state.
Puzzle pieces with the word "regulation" revealed.
The Rule Nobody Reads (But Everybody Should) · Part 9 of 10

The Rule's Future: Chevron, Deregulation, and What Comes Next

The Supreme Court ended Chevron deference. The current FTC favors enforcement over rulemaking. Three review cycles have produced zero changes. Here's where the Funeral Rule goes from here.
Puzzle pieces with the word "regulation" revealed.
The Rule Nobody Reads (But Everybody Should) · Part 10 of 10

What We'd Tell the FTC (If They Asked)

Eight recommendations for modernizing the Funeral Rule, from a funeral service built in the gap the regulation left behind. This post is perspective.

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All regulatory citations reference publicly available federal and state documents. The analysis and original writing are the intellectual property of Bespoke Undertakings, LLC.

Bespoke Undertakings is a post-cremation service in Denton, Texas, for families with ashes at home who need guidance on what comes next.
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