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Navigating Funeral Costs & Financial Planning for Final Farewells

By: Hannah Borrett • Edited by: Katelynne Shepard • Subject Matter Expert Reviewed by: Kris Lamey • 5 cited sources • Updated Oct 29, 2024

Managing funeral costs when you’re dealing with a serious illness or grief can be emotionally, financially, and practically challenging. Many people find advance financial planning helpful for reducing stress and uncertainty. In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about funeral financing to help you choose the right options for yourself or a loved one.

Key Takeaways

• Funeral costs vary depending on whether you choose a burial option or cremation.
• Consider funeral home expenses, burial or cremation charges, and memorial costs when planning a funeral budget.
• Consumers have the right to decline most unwanted funeral expenses.
• Funeral insurance, will bequests, and certain charities can help cover funeral costs.

How Much Does a Funeral Cost?

According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), average funeral costs depend on whether you choose cremation or burial. The median funeral cost with viewing and burial is $8,300, while a similar funeral with cremation costs less at $6,280^[1]. 

These costs account for transferring the remains to a funeral home, body preparation services, and the funeral service itself. They don’t include items such as obituaries, flowers, or interment. Therefore, your funeral may cost more or less than average, depending on your selected services. 

Where you live can also impact typical funeral expenses. The local cost of running a business affects how much funeral homes charge for their services, which means you may pay more in expensive cities or states compared with more affordable areas.

Funeral Home Expenses

Understanding the cost of funeral home services can help you stick within a budget. All funeral homes charge a basic services fee to cover essential expenses, such as completing paperwork, storing remains, and paying overhead costs. 

Basic services fees are non-declinable, which means you must pay them to engage the services of a funeral home. The median basic services fee charged by funeral homes across the United States is $2,495, regardless of whether you choose burial or cremation. 

The Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule^[2] prevents funeral homes from requiring you to purchase additional goods and services not covered by the basic services fee. Therefore, you usually have the right to turn down unwanted services, but there are a few exceptions. For example, you may need to pay for embalming if local laws or cemetery and crematory regulations require it. 

Funeral home care preferences are deeply personal, and your cultural and religious traditions may impact your choices. The most common optional funeral home expenses are:

• Embalming. Embalming involves temporarily preserving a deceased person using chemicals. Some people choose embalming because it can give the body a more life-like appearance. It isn’t usually required by law, except for viewings and public funerals in certain states^[3]. The median cost of embalming is $845.
• Removal or transfer of remains. Funeral homes charge fees for transporting remains. For example, you may need to pay the home to collect remains from the place of death. The cost depends on several factors, such as the distance traveled, but the median fee is around $395.
• Preparation of the body. Depending on your wishes, a funeral home can provide services to prepare remains before a funeral or viewing. For instance, you may wish the funeral home staff to dress and groom the body or perform cosmetology to make the skin appear life-like. Costs depend on your chosen services, but most people spend around $295.
• Viewing. Some people wish to spend time with a loved one after they pass away, and funeral homes usually offer viewing services to support friends and family members in paying their respects. Viewing services typically include the use of a private space, staff assistance, and displaying the deceased person for visitors. Expect to pay around $475 for these services.

Choosing funeral home services can be financially and emotionally challenging after a loved one passes away. A compassionate, reputable funeral home with knowledge of your cultural and spiritual traditions can help you navigate the process without pressure.

Burial Service Expenses

Burial expenses depend on several factors, including your cemetery’s rules and the type of transportation and casket you choose. Consider the following costs^[4] when planning a burial:

• Transportation. Your funeral director can usually arrange transportation of the remains from the funeral home to the burial ground. Service vehicle transportation is the most affordable option at around $150, while hiring a hearse typically costs $350.
• Burial plot. The cost of purchasing a burial plot varies widely by area, but the national average is roughly $2,300. Expect to pay around $1,100 for a plot in a public cemetery or $3,500 in a private cemetery.
• Internment. Internment services include opening the grave, placing the casket inside, and closing the plot. The average cost of internment is $800.
• Burial vaults. A vault is a concrete container that surrounds the casket in the grave and prevents the earth from sinking over time. Although there’s no legal requirement to purchase a burial vault, some cemeteries require them to protect the landscape. Vaults typically cost $1,572.
• Headstone. The cost of headstones and other grave markers depends on the material and style. On average, families spend around $2,000 on a headstone. 
• Casket. Casket prices vary by material. Expect to pay around $2,500 for a metal casket or $3,000 for a wooden casket. 

Generally, cremation costs less than burial because you won’t need to pay for a burial plot. Furthermore, caskets designed for cremation are usually more affordable at around $1,310. You can also purchase basic cardboard or fiberboard caskets for direct cremations for as little as $150.

According to the NFDA, the median cremation cost in the United States is $400. The cost of an urn to contain ashes varies by style and manufacturer, but most people pay around $295.

Talk with your loved ones openly about your wishes to ease the transition for survivors. If you’ve put aside money for your final preparations, document this and make sure your executor has access to the necessary funds.

Kris Lamey, MBA & Former Finance Director

Memorial Service Expenses 

Memorial service expenses depend on the venue and services you select. The national average cost of hiring a venue and staff for a funeral ceremony is around $550, per the NFDA’s figures. 

Some families buy printed programs, booklets, or cards to commemorate loved ones. Funeral homes often offer memorial printing packages, which cost roughly $195. 

The cost of funeral flowers varies significantly between areas and arrangement styles. Value Penguin estimates the cost of funeral flowers at around $600, or $150 for a wreath-style casket topper^[4].

Common Questions About Funeral Costs

Here are some questions people often ask about funeral budgets.

Plan Ahead for Peace of Mind

Planning a funeral for yourself or someone you love can feel overwhelming, but knowing what costs to expect helps minimize financial stress during times of grief. With this guide, you can consider which funeral home, burial, and memorial services you want (and don’t want) to create a loving farewell without exceeding your funeral budget. 

Written by Hannah Borrett

Hannah Borrett-Stephens is a graduate of Goldsmiths, University of London and excels at at translating complex information into digestible long-form content for general readers. Her areas of specialism include DIY, senior living, and substance rehabilitation, although her seven years of professional writing experience also make her a strong generalist. Hannah enjoys topics requiring extensive research and delivers accurate, insightful articles for American and British audiences. In her downtime, she enjoys growing her own vegetables in her garden and walking in the English countryside surrounding her home.

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Edited by Katelynne Shepard

Katelynne Shepard is a writer, editor and SME who is proficient at crafting and reviewing content. She has been a full-time copywriter and editor since 2011 and has written content for Fortune 500 companies, independent law firms, indie publishers, small-business owners and mainstream websites. She specializes in parenting, lifestyle, family law, personal injury, criminal law, immigration law, astrology, personal finance, education and health care. In addition to thousands of e-commerce product and category descriptions, Verle's work includes SEO blogs, social media posts and long-form informational articles.

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Subject Matter Expert Kris Lamey

Kris Lamey is a seasoned writer and subject matter expert (SME) in finance, holding a degree in Journalism and an MBA. Alongside her roles in radio and journalism, Kris has enjoyed over 15 years of success in the FinTech industry. She's a Real Estate investor (former broker) who currently freelances as a writer, boasting over 15 years of experience, and she eagerly welcomes new clients and challenging topics. Kris is also actively involved in the health care industry, specializing in mental and behavioral health. She is well-versed in various content formats, including articles, blogs, website marketing copy and press releases.