The statement of goods and services is the document that turns selections into a clear, itemized price for the family. The FTC Funeral Rule emphasizes accurate, itemized price information, so the statement should reflect each item distinctly and agree with your price lists. This article is operational guidance, not legal advice; rely on the FTC resources and your counsel for compliance.
What the statement should capture
- Each service selected, itemized with its price.
- Each merchandise item, itemized with its price.
- Cash advance items, identified as such.
- Subtotals and the total, clearly shown.
- The family and case it belongs to.
Why itemization matters
Itemization is not just a compliance point; it is how a family understands what they are paying for during a difficult decision. A clear, line-by-line statement builds trust and reduces later questions. A lump sum does the opposite, and it is inconsistent with the itemized disclosure the Funeral Rule expects.
What to ask software vendors
- Does the statement itemize each service and merchandise item?
- Does it pull prices from consistent line items so it matches the lists?
- Are cash advances handled distinctly?
- Does the statement live on the case and sync to the invoice in QuickBooks?
How FuneralHQ handles this
FuneralHQ builds the itemized statement of goods and services on the case from consistent line items, so it matches the selections and your price lists, and it becomes the itemized invoice that syncs to QuickBooks. The statement, the case, and the books all carry the same numbers.
Related resources
Read general price list management and the recordkeeping checklist.