Standard Terms for Funeral Halls Revised — Wreaths Belong to the User, and Funeral Costs Must Be Explained Before the Contract
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
The Standard Terms and Conditions for Funeral Halls (장례식장 표준약관) revised on August 25, 2026 make clear that ownership of condolence wreaths belongs to the user, require a funeral hall to consult with the user in advance before disposing of wreaths, and require the facilities, fees and content of the funeral rites to be explained before the contract is concluded.
Key facts
| Revision announced | August 25, 2026, Korea Fair Trade Commission (공정거래위원회) |
|---|---|
| Wreaths | Ownership of wreaths used at a funeral hall belongs to the user, and the funeral hall must consult with the user in advance before disposing of them |
| Outside food | Food cooked outside is restricted in principle (to prevent hygiene incidents), while uncooked items such as fruit, beverages and alcoholic drinks are excluded from the restriction |
| Exception | Cooked outside food may also be brought in when the business operator and the user have agreed in advance. If a hygiene incident such as food poisoning occurs from food brought in without prior agreement, the user bears the responsibility |
| Explanation of costs | The components of the usage fee are specified as facility rental fees, funeral-related service charges, funeral supply costs, and cleaning and management fees, and the facilities, fees and content of the funeral rites must be explained before the contract is concluded |
| Background of the revision | Pursued in response to a request for review of the standard terms filed by the Korea Funeral Association (한국장례협회), reflecting an institutional improvement recommendation from the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (국민권익위원회) |
| How it applies | The Korea Fair Trade Commission posts the revised standard terms on its website and notifies business associations and others, recommending their use |
| Inquiries | Korea Fair Trade Commission, Consumer Transaction Policy Division 044-200-4451 |
Last checked:
On August 25, 2026, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (공정거래위원회) announced that it had revised the Standard Terms and Conditions for Funeral Halls (장례식장 표준약관) to prevent the practice of funeral halls disposing of wreaths without the consent of the bereaved family, and to clarify the criteria for bringing in outside food and the duty to explain funeral costs in advance. The revised standard terms make clear that ownership of wreaths used at a funeral hall belongs to the user, and require a funeral hall to consult with the user in advance before disposing of wreaths. They also specify the components of the usage fee as facility rental fees, funeral-related service charges, funeral supply costs, and cleaning and management fees, and state that the business operator must explain the facilities, the fees and the content of the funeral rites before concluding the contract.
Background — why this change
Previously there was no clear rule on the ownership and disposal of wreaths received from mourners, and disputes arose as some funeral halls restricted bereaved families from disposing of wreaths or required them to be sold at a particular low price. There was also no separate rule on bringing in outside food, so some funeral halls restricted it uniformly. Funerals often take place suddenly, so consumers find it hard to compare the prices and services of several funeral halls, and once the process is under way it has been difficult to stop using the service or change the terms even when unexpected costs are added. A complaint filed with e-People (국민신문고) reported that a funeral hall had indicated a cost of up to about 10 million won at the first consultation but ultimately billed 16 million won.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
Who owns the wreaths sent by mourners?
The revised standard terms make clear that ownership of wreaths used at a funeral hall belongs to the user. If the funeral hall intends to dispose of the wreaths, it must consult with the user in advance.
Can I bring in fruit or beverages myself?
To prevent hygiene incidents such as food poisoning, the revised standard terms restrict food cooked outside in principle, while clarifying that uncooked items such as fruit, beverages and alcoholic drinks are not covered by the restriction. Even cooked food may be brought in as an exception when agreed with the business operator in advance.
When am I told about the funeral costs?
The revised standard terms state that the business operator must explain the facilities, the fees and the content of the funeral rites to the consumer before the contract is concluded. The components of the usage fee are also specified as facility rental fees, funeral-related service charges, funeral supply costs, and cleaning and management fees.
Do all funeral halls have to follow these terms?
The Korea Fair Trade Commission stated that it plans to post the revised standard terms on its website and notify business associations and others, actively recommending that operators use the revised standard terms.