May a funeral charge a customer more than the actual cost of cash advance items?

• A. Yes, in certain circumstances.
• B. No.
• C. Only with the customer's consent.
• D. Only for direct cremations.

Answer: (B)

Cash advance items are expenses the funeral home pays to third parties on your behalf, such as cemetery charges, death certificates, or cemeterial service costs. The requirement is that you’re billed only for the actual amount those third parties charge, not for any extra profit by the funeral home. In other words, the funeral home must pass through the exact cost of these items and itemize them on the bill. Any charge beyond the actual cost would be effectively a markup on a third-party expense, which is not allowed. If the funeral home wants to recoup its own services, that should be shown separately as a service or handling fee for the funeral home’s labor, not added to the cash advance line items. This transparency protects consumers from hidden charges and aligns with consumer protection standards that govern funeral services.