Price Survey of North Carolina Funeral Homes, 2025 – 2026
Click here to view the 2025-2026 Funeral Home Price Survey.
To launch our 2025-2026 Funeral Home Price Survey, we collaborated with the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service (NCBFS) to secure an up-to-date database of the state’s 750+ licensed funeral homes. This resource proved invaluable, providing the current contact details necessary for our outreach. A dedicated team of 19 volunteers—including our 11 board members—undertook the task of gathering price data. Since General Price Lists (GPLs) are rarely available online and the FTC has yet to mandate digital transparency, FCA affiliates play a vital role in ensuring consumers have access to this essential information.
To get these prices, our board and volunteers went the extra mile—checking websites, sending emails, and making multiple follow-up calls. When those failed, we even visited locations in person. The reception we received varied wildly: some staff were happy to help immediately, while others refused to provide a price list even when reminded of our legal right to see it. Please keep this in mind when you see “NP” (Not Provided) in our data. Meanwhile, “NA” simply means that specific service isn’t offered by the funeral home.
By law, the Federal Trade Commission requires funeral homes to provide pricing over the phone and a printed General Price List (GPL) to anyone who asks in person.
Because prices can change without notice, the Funeral Consumers Alliance North Carolina (FCANC) provides this information as a guide only. Please contact the funeral home directly to confirm their current rates.
Help us stay up to date! If you find a price has changed—or if you have new information we can add to our database—please let us know.
FCANC provides this survey as a free public service to help consumers compare funeral costs. As a non-profit, non-sectarian, and all-volunteer organization, we are dedicated to educating the public on end-of-life options. We advocate for consumer choice and actively monitor the legislation and regulations that impact your rights.
Most people are unaware of their strongest defense against high burial costs: the Funeral Rule. Enacted by the Federal Trade Commission in 1984, this “consumer bill of rights” ensures transparency during one of life’s most vulnerable moments. Under the Funeral Rule, you have:
- The right to pick and choose only the items you want — funeral homes can’t require you to buy a package of goods and services.
- The right to printed, itemized price lists — funeral homes are required to give you a printed price list at the beginning of any arrangements discussion.
- The right to factual information — funeral directors must be truthful and cannot claim that things like embalming or certain caskets are required by law when that’s not true.
- The right to see a price list for caskets before going into the showroom.
- The right to get price quotes over the phone.
- The right to build or buy your own casket outside the funeral home without paying a “casket-handling fee” to the funeral director.
Funeral arrangements are business transactions, even if they happen during a crisis. Funeral homes are well aware that grieving clients rarely negotiate or question costs. To avoid overspending, you must take responsibility for knowing exactly what you want and what you can afford before you’re at the door.
Whether you’re planning a burial, cremation, or a simple memorial, the best way to save money is to compare prices in advance. While many people default to the same funeral home out of habit, shopping around keeps you in control and can save you thousands of dollars for the exact same services elsewhere.
To help you compare providers quickly, we’ve focused on three key prices in our spreadsheets:
- Basic Services Fee: This is the only non-declinable charge. It covers general overhead, planning, filing permits, and coordinating with third parties.
- Direct Cremation: A simple cremation without a ceremony (assumes the purchaser provides the container).
- Immediate Burial: A simple burial without a ceremony (assumes the purchaser provides the casket).
Both direct cremation and immediate burial are “minimal services,” meaning the body is usually transported directly from the place of death to the crematory or cemetery. While these packages often include a portion of the “basic services” in their flat rate, they typically do not include the cost of the casket or urn unless specifically noted.
Direct cremation pricing can be confusing, as some providers omit the actual cremation cost or use the outdated phrase “cremation, if relevant.” However, according to the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule, providers are now required to be clear. They must either explicitly state that cremation is included or specify that a crematory charge will be added to your final statement.
Cost matters, but reputation and quality are just as vital when choosing a funeral home—even if they’re harder to pin down. Start by looking at who runs the business. Is it a local family-owned home or part of a large corporation like SCI or Dignity? You’ll also want to consider the experience: Will you face a high-pressure sales pitch, or will the directors give you straight answers? The right team will respect your budget and help you plan a service that truly fits your wishes. To get the full picture, ask for recommendations from clergy, social workers, friends, or fellow FCANC members. We strongly suggest shopping around and planning ahead while you aren’t under any pressure. This ensures your final arrangements honor both your values and your wallet.