At the outset of the funeral transaction, which fee is non-declinable according to FTC rules?

• A. Embalming
• B. Casket
• C. Basic Services for Funeral Practitioner and Staff
• D. Transportation

Answer: (C)

The thing being tested is which part of the funeral price is considered non-declinable under FTC rules. The non-declinable portion is the basic services of the funeral director and staff. This covers the professional time, planning, coordination, and arrangement work the funeral home does from the start—things like counseling the family, preparing and filing necessary forms, coordinating with cemeteries or crematories, obtaining permits, and handling logistics. Because this work is essential to any funeral arrangement, the FTC requires it to be included in the total price and not offered as an optional add-on.

Embalming, transportation, and the casket are goods or specific services that families can often decline or adjust based on their choices. Embalming may be declined unless specific circumstances or preferences necessitate it, transportation can be limited to what’s needed, and the casket is a purchasable item that can be avoided if alternative arrangements are used. The key point is that the basic services fee cannot be avoided simply by skipping other items.