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FTC “Sweeps” NYC Metro Funeral Homes

Funeral Rule Violators

The Federal Trade Commission announced the results of a “sweep” of metropolitan New York City homes on December 29, 2003. The FTC press release stated that 12 of 29 funeral homes were found by test shoppers to have violated the Funeral Rule. From the paperwork we obtained from the FTC through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, it appears these violators either didn’t produce the required price lists, or didn’t offer them at the required time.

FTC test shoppers visited these funeral homes twice. Among the violators, many were found to break the rules on both visits. Others were caught violating the rules on only one occasion.

While the FTC has promised not to release the names of Funeral Rule violators to the press when the violators enter the Funeral Rule Offender Program (“FROP”, run by the National Funeral Directors Association – more on this to come), these names are public record and we release them as soon as the FTC responds to our FOIA requests.

Below are the violators found during the fall, 2003 “sweep.” For each, we’ve noted the violation(s) found on each visit, and the remedial actions taken. See the bottom of this page for a key to abbreviations.


Baker Funeral Service, Bridgeport, CT

Violations, 1st visit

  • No CPL
  • No OBCPL

Violations, 2nd visit

  • No violations

Remedial Action: FTC sent letter asking for Funeral Rule compliance


Blair Mazzarella Funeral Home, Brooklyn, NY

Violations, 1st visit

  • Late GPL
  • Late CPL

Violations, 2nd visit

  • Late GPL
  • No CPL
  • No OBCPL

Remedial Action: Entered FROP


Daniel George Funeral Home, Brooklyn, NY

Violations, 1st visit

  • No CPL
  • No OBCPL

Violations, 2nd visit

  • No CPL
  • No OBCPL

Remedial Action: FTC offered option of entering FROP


Dougiello Funeral Home, Bridgeport, CT

Violations, 1st visit

  • No GPL

Violations, 2nd visit

  • No GPL
  • No CPL

Remedial Action: Entered FROP


English Brothers Funeral Home, Brooklyn, NY

Violations, 1st visit

  • No GPL

Violations, 2nd visit

  • No significant violations

Remedial Action: FTC sent letter asking for Funeral Rule compliance


George Peterson Funeral Home, Bridgeport, CT

Violations, 1st visit

  • No CPL

Violations, 2nd visit

  • No CPL

Remedial Action: Entered FROP


Green Funeral Home, Fairfield, CT

Violations, 1st visit

  • No CPL
  • No OBCPL

Violations, 2nd visit

  • No GPL

Remedial Action: Entered FROP


Guido Funeral Home, Brooklyn, NY

Violations, 1st visit

  • No GPL

Violations, 2nd visit

  • No violations

Remedial Action: FTC sent letter asking for Funeral Rule compliance


LaBella Funeral Chapel, Brooklyn, NY

Violations, 1st visit

  • Late GPL
  • No CPL
  • No OBCPL

Violations, 2nd visit

  • No GPL
  • No CPL

Remedial Action: Entered FROP


Lesko Funeral Home, Fairfield, CT

Violations, 1st visit

  • No CPL
  • No OBCPL

Violations, 2nd visit

  • No CPL
  • No OBCPL

Remedial Action: Entered FROP


Lester Gee Funeral Home, Bridgeport, CT

Violations, 1st visit

  • No GPL

Violations, 2nd visit

  • No significant violations

Remedial Action: FTC sent letter asking for Funeral Rule compliance


McDonald Funeral Home, Stratford, CT

Violations, 1st visit

  • No OBCPL

Apparently only one visit was performed

Remedial Action: FTC sent letter asking for Funeral Rule compliance



Key to Abbreviations

  • GPL = General Price List
  • CPL = Casket Price List
  • OBCPL – Outer Burial Container (vault) Price List
  • NFDA = National Funeral Directors Association
  • FROP = Funeral Rule Offenders Program
  • FTC = Federal Trade Commission

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