J.F. Bell Funeral Home
108 6th St NW, Charlottesville, VA, 22903
Questions to Ask When You Call
You're not expected to know this. These questions help you compare and avoid surprises.
“Can I see your General Price List?”
Federal law (FTC Funeral Rule) requires them to give you itemized pricing. You have every right to ask.
“Do you accept insurance assignment?”
This means they bill the insurance company directly. You don't pay thousands upfront and wait to be reimbursed.
“What's included vs. what's extra?”
Packages may not include everything. Ask about the casket, embalming, transportation, facility fees, and death certificate copies.
“Do you offer payment plans?”
Many funeral homes allow you to spread the cost over time. Ask about down payments, terms, and financing options.
Know Your Rights
The FTC Funeral Rule protects you. Every funeral home must provide an itemized General Price List if you ask — in person or over the phone. You are never required to buy a package and can choose services individually. You also have the right to use a casket purchased elsewhere.
Payment & Financial Options
Average in Virginia
$2,495 – $7,848
Source: NFDA 2023 · Direct cremation to traditional burial
If they had life insurance, it can cover this
Funerals in this area run $2,495–$7,848. If your loved one had a life insurance policy, the benefit can cover these costs — and we'll file the claim and handle the carrier for you, even without the policy number. $0 upfront, and nothing if it doesn't pay out.
Services Offered
Business Hours
What Families Say
“I would not recommend Bell's to anyone. Year's ago when Raymond and Henry were living, everyone seemed to take their loved ones to them. The new owners are not friendly, very unpleasant, not to mention unprofessional. Grieving families should NEVER have to endure the negativity response from co-owner Martin Burke. His arrogance and self serving attitude will be the reason they go out business. If I could give them a negative 0, I certainly would.”
— JoAnn Willis
“The service here was not good. We were planning my mother in-laws final arrangements and Martin T. Burk presented himself to be very helpful and compassionate. That was all a show for the family members that recommended him. They never offered their condolences. They allowed him to call the insurance companies to confirm the amount. Before he found out that my mother in-law had two $10,000 policies, he quoted the total amount of needed to be around $7,000. Once he was done we were charged $10,270 but he waived $270. She had to be placed in an "oversized casket" we later discovered that there was no increase in size only the interior was removed. The day of the funeral Martin T. Burk didn't have enough people to bring the casket into the church, so her son and grandsons had to get the casket into the church and to the cemetery. There was so much fluid she didn't look like herself. They didn't put her in the dress that was sent overnight to the funeral home. The service we received was very unprofessional, uncourteous and without compassion. We would never recommend this funeral home.”
— Johnetta Pierce
“Unprofessional and Rude The customer service my family received from this company was extremely unprofessional. They refused to do business with us and hung up the phone because they were not the first company we inquired with. Burying a loved one, especially unexpectedly, is very costly. Finding a funeral home that one can afford is imperative. During a tragic time for our family, we were met with insensitivity and poor service. I hope no other family has to go through such an experience.”
— Jai Maupin
We can help with what comes next.
We file the life insurance claim and recover unclaimed property — the payout can help cover costs like these. $0 upfront.
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