Which fee is considered a non-declinable fee under the Funeral Rule?

The fee for the basic services of the funeral director and staff is considered a non-declinable fee under the Funeral Rule. This fee encompasses essential services related to the arrangement and handling of a funeral. It includes the necessary administrative tasks that a funeral home must perform to provide services to families, such as planning the details of the funeral, securing necessary permits, and coordinating with other service providers.

The Funeral Rule establishes that certain services are essential regardless of the specific choices a family makes about a funeral. Therefore, this fee cannot be declined; it represents the minimum necessary service level that must be provided when a family engages a funeral home. Other fees, such as those for embalming, transportation, or specific cemetery services, may be optional or subject to selection based on the family’s preferences, making them declinable options within the rules outlined by the Funeral Rule.