Find out How Much a Funeral Costs
See Average Funeral Costs in the U.S.
Estimating the cost of a funeral can be tricky. Average funeral costs continue to rise, and many elements must be considered: services, casket, vault, embalming, gravesite, and more. To make matters worse, funeral service providers and cemeteries expect payment in full at the time of the funeral. It’s little wonder that shopping for a funeral can be overwhelming.
How much does a funeral cost?
Funeral costs vary widely depending on where you live and what components you want to include in the funeral ceremony.
Based on our research and industry studies, average funeral costs are:
- Cremation with a traditional funeral service (the casket is present, and you have a visitation) is $7,000-$9,500.
- Cremation with a memorial service (takes place sometime after the cremation, the casket is not present, and does not include a visitation) is $4,000-$6,000.
- No funeral or memorial service (cremation) is $750-$4,500.
- Burial with a traditional funeral service (visitation and the casket is present) is $12,500-$17,500.
- Burial with a memorial service (no casket, no visitation) is $11,500-15,500.
Average Funeral Cost Breakdown
According to the latest Funeral Price Survey by the National Funeral Directors Association, the average funeral cost in 2019 was $9,135. However, this includes only the most commonly selected items for a traditional funeral, such as a casket and vault. It does not include the cost of the cemetery. When considering the average funeral cost, $11,000 or more is probably closer to what a typical traditional funeral costs since a private cemetery burial plot will cost at least $2,000.
>>Learn About the Cost of Cremation
Funeral Costs: The big-ticket items.
It helps to know exactly what is included in the cost of a funeral since the big-ticket items are what really drive the cost. A quality casket, for example, can be as low as $2,000 or more than $10,000. Your particular choices can cause the cost of the funeral to go way up or way down. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Funeral costs of cremation versus burial: one of the reasons that cremation is on the rise is because it can cost significantly less than burial.
- The exact cost of a funeral will depend on the quality of the casket, burial vault, and other merchandise selected.
- A direct burial (no service) or cremation can be arranged for under $1,000 (does not include cemetery costs). We recommend that you consider holding a memorial service of some kind, even an informal one, to acknowledge the passing of your loved one.
- Preplanning is the best way to manage funeral costs. We can help; see our page on How to Beat the High Cost of a Funeral.
Major Funeral Expense Elements
- Plot/Niche ($1,000-4,500): Costs vary by the cemetery and the location of the space within a cemetery. Carefully consider your options. (More on Cemeteries.)
- Burial Vault ($500-$5,000): Vaults do not prevent decay. A grave liner or simple concrete vault may be sufficient and less expensive. (More on Burial Vaults.)
- Grave Marker/Headstone ($1,000-$3,000 and up): A simple stone can be less than $1,000. You can buy from the cemetery or a monument dealer. (More on Grave Markers.)
- The Casket ($2,000-$10,000 and up): You can buy from your funeral home or a casket dealer in person or online. Rent a casket for a traditional funeral that will be followed by cremation. (More on Caskets.)
- Viewings ($500-$1,000): Each viewing session you have adds to the cost. The most economical option is to have one viewing on the same day as the funeral.
- The Ceremony ($1,000-$5,000): Each funeral or memorial service element will add to the cost. Decide what is most important to you. (More on Ceremonies.)
7 Ways to Manage the Cost of a Funeral
HERE ARE OUR TIPS FOR MANAGING FUNERAL COSTS
- Plan in advance!
The best way to avoid spending more than you need is by preplanning your funeral. Planning ahead gives you time to review your options without the burden of a time constraint. You’ll also have the luxury of avoiding the risk of making unnecessary emotional purchases. Learn more about our Wise Planning Solutions for funeral preplanning.
- Set a budget.
It always helps to know what you can afford to spend before you start shopping. Think of planning your funeral the same way you would think about planning a celebration for any big life event. If you think about it, planning a funeral is a lot like planning a wedding. You sure wouldn’t plan a wedding without having an idea of how much you want to spend! Allocate most of your funeral dollars to the elements that have the most meaning to you.
- Know what you want.
Even if you are making arrangements for a death that has already happened, it is best to take a little time to think about what type of funeral you want before you meet with the funeral director. This can help you avoid making purchases you don’t really want or need. Our online planning tools can guide you in thinking about what items you will need to consider. That way you’ll be better prepared to answer the questions that the funeral director will ask you. (More on meeting with the Funeral Director and on making funeral arrangements.)
- Shop around.
Whether it’s doing research online or stopping into local funeral homes, you can learn a lot by shopping around. In fact, you’ll probably be surprised by the wide variety of choices that are available at very affordable prices. Visit our Find Services page to search for funeral providers in your area.
- Look hard at the most expensive items.
Your most significant cost savings can come from the big-ticket items. These items (caskets, grave markers, and urns) come in a wide range of prices. There are many beautiful options that are reasonably priced. It is not necessary to buy the most expensive style.
- Ask for help.
It may help to bring a trusted friend or family member with you when you shop. Your companion can speak on your behalf if difficult negotiations are involved. The decisions to be made are extremely personal and emotional. You may be grieving and not in the best frame of mind to make big financial decisions. The person should be someone you trust and who you think has a personality that will be calming for you. If you are planning ahead you can get the free assistance of a Preplanning Specialist. Visit our page on How to Beat the High Cost of a Funeral to learn more.
- Consider pre-funding.
If you pay for funeral costs in advance, you may be able to lock in today’s prices with a guaranteed funeral contract. But like any big financial purchase, you should do your homework to make sure that the plan you select is right for you. Be sure to read all of the fine print! Our Wise Protection Plan is a unique all-in-one solution for prepaying your funeral.
- Know your rights.
FTC’s “Funeral Rule” requires that you be provided with prices in writing and over the phone. As a buyer, knowing the basics of the Rule can help you avoid sales traps. If you feel you are being treated unfairly, contact your state Attorney General’s office or the local funeral home regulatory board.
Paying for Funeral Costs
There are many ways to pay for a funeral, and new options, such as crowdfunding, are becoming popular. This is an excellent tool for emergency situations. But even with latest tools, the best way to ensure you get the funeral you want is to turn to traditional methods such as:
- Funeral Insurance: Buying funeral insurance to cover your funeral costs can be a smart money move. However, before you buy, you’ll need to do some research. Luckily, we’ve done a lot of the homework for you. Visit our Funeral Insurance pages for information on what to look for in a funeral insurance policy and tips on buying the best policy for your unique situation.
- Preneed Funeral Contracts: To arrange a preneed contract, you work with a funeral service provider, a cemetery, or both. Working together, you decide what to include in the contract and how to pay for it. You may contract for cemetery property and services, funeral services, or both. The critical thing to remember, however, is that when it comes to preneed contracts, you should be very sure of what you are buying and the contract terms. For more information, check out our article on Preneed Funeral Contracts.
- Pre-Paying Funeral Costs: You make specific selections when entering a preneed contract with a funeral home or cemetery. You may pay for it in advance. The key benefit to pre-payment is that you lock in today’s prices. As mentioned above, our Wise Protection Plan is a great way to create a prepaid funeral plan. Plus, it has many extra benefits you won’t find anywhere else.
- Direct Savings: Many people find it simple to set money aside in a conventional account, such as a savings or money market account. However, this approach has the risk of making it difficult to guarantee that the money is used for the proper purpose. Your survivors will need immediate access to these funds following your death. Talk to your bank or financial advisor to ensure the account is set up so that a person you trust can withdraw the funds.
- Funeral Trusts: A funeral trust is similar to a regular savings account, but the funds are legally designated for funeral expenses. Any money that remains after the funeral can be distributed to your estate. Regulations regarding funeral trusts can vary from state to state, so you should consult with your attorney or banker to ensure the trust is set up correctly. Many funeral providers can also help you establish a Funeral Trust. See our article on Funeral Trusts for more information.
- Public Assistance: Federal, state, and local programs can help defray the cost of funeral expenses. Social Security, for example, provides a one-time death benefit of $255, and the Veterans Administration also provides funeral benefits to eligible individuals. Many counties have programs to help people with limited resources cover funeral expenses. For more information on ways to claim public assistance, visit our Paying for a Funeral page.
