How Much Does A Funeral Cost?

Shawn Plummer

CEO, The Annuity Expert

Average Cost of a Funeral

The average cost of a funeral varies significantly based on location, services, and personal preferences. On average, a traditional funeral, including a casket and burial, can range from $7,000 to $12,000. This includes expenses such as the funeral home service, burial plot, headstone, and other associated costs.

Cremation, which is increasingly popular, tends to be less expensive, averaging between $3,000 and $7,000. This includes the cremation process, urn, and potentially a smaller memorial service.

How Much Does A Funeral Cost

Factors Influencing Funeral Costs

  1. Service Type: Traditional burial services are typically more expensive than cremation due to the cost of the casket and burial plot.
  2. Location: Costs can vary widely depending on the state or city.
  3. Funeral Home: Different funeral homes have varying price ranges for their services.
  4. Additional Services: Things like flowers, obituaries, transportation, and memorial services can add to the overall cost.

The Median Cost Of Funerals

The table below displays the median funeral costs in 2021 according to the National Directors Funeral Association:

ServiceCost
Basic services fee$2,500
Casket$2,500
Funeral home fees$1,500
Embalming and body preparation$750
Funeral ceremony$925
Transportation$500

Cost Of Funerals And Final Expenses By State

The expense of dying will differ depending on where you reside, much like the cost of living. The table below may give you a sense of what average funeral expenses will be in your state. You’ll see that a burial can cost more than usual in states with high living costs, such as New York and California.

STATEFuneral CostFinal ExpensesTotal Cost
Alabama$6,933$12,264$19,197
Alaska$10,084$17,840$27,924
Arizona$7,530$13,321$20,852
Arkansas$6,746$11,934$18,681
California$11,777$20,834$32,611
Colorado$8,198$14,503$22,701
Connecticut$9,914$17,538$27,451
Delaware$8,392$14,846$23,238
Florida$7,600$13,445$21,045
Georgia$6,925$12,250$19,175
Hawaii$14,975$26,492$41,467
Idaho$7,165$12,676$19,841
Illinois$7,336$12,978$20,314
Indiana$6,987$12,360$19,347
Iowa$6,995$12,374$19,369
Kansas$6,909$12,223$19,132
Kentucky$7,057$12,484$19,541
Louisiana$7,290$12,896$20,185
Maine$9,122$16,137$25,259
Maryland$10,069$17,812$27,881
Massachusetts$10,216$18,073$28,290
Michigan$6,902$12,209$19,111
Minnesota$7,887$13,953$21,841
Mississippi$6,684$11,825$18,509
Missouri$6,762$11,962$18,724
Montana$8,299$14,681$22,980
Nebraska$7,049$12,470$19,519
New Hampshire$8,516$15,066$23,582
New Jersey$9,712$17,181$26,892
New Mexico$6,793$12,017$18,810
Nevada$8,423$14,901$23,324
New York$10,799$19,103$29,902
North Carolina$7,367$13,033$20,400
North Dakota$7,670$13,569$21,239
Ohio$7,049$12,470$19,519
Oklahoma$6,754$11,948$18,702
Oregon$10,418$18,430$28,849
Pennsylvania$7,895$7,895$21,862
Rhode Island$9,269$16,398$25,667
South Carolina$7,445$13,170$20,615
South Dakota$7,748$13,706$21,454
Tennessee$6,886$12,182$19,068
Texas$7,103$12,566$19,669
Utah$7,639$13,514$21,153
Vermont$8,889$15,725$24,614
Virginia$7,818$13,830$21,647
Washington$8,594$15,203$23,797
West Virginia$7,072$12,511$19,584
Wisconsin$7,554$13,363$20,916
Wyoming$6,933$12,264$19,197

Funeral Insurance as a Solution

Funeral insurance, also known as burial insurance, can help cover these expenses. This insurance is designed to provide a payout upon the policyholder’s death to cover funeral-related costs. It can ease the financial burden on families during a difficult time.

How Much Is A Graveside Funeral

Conclusion

Understanding funeral costs is crucial for planning and ensuring that the financial burden does not fall on loved ones. Funeral or burial insurance can provide peace of mind and financial security. For more detailed information and options, visit The Insurance Marketplace.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is funeral expenses tax deductible?

No, funeral expenses are not tax deductible.

How Much Is It To Bury Someone?

The cost of burying someone can vary widely depending on several factors, including the type of funeral service, the location, and the type of burial. On average, a traditional funeral with a burial can cost anywhere from $7,000 to $10,000 or more. This includes funeral services, a casket, a burial plot or mausoleum space, a headstone or grave marker, and other expenses.

Is $10000 enough for a funeral?

Is $10,000 sufficient to cover funeral costs? Financial specialists usually advise setting aside more than this figure; many final expense life insurance policies provide an even higher benefit of up to $10,000. When budgeting for your loved one’s funeral expenses, it is wise to aim for at least that amount as the starting point.

What if nobody wants to pay for a funeral?

The county usually has several options to help with burial or cremation costs. However, suppose your family does not have any money for this. In that case, they will still be able to receive assistance from the local government, which would cover all appropriate arrangements and disposal of the body through modern cremation techniques.

Who pays for the funeral if?

The decedent’s family typically arranges and pays for the funeral service, then works to recuperate the expenses from their departed loved one’s estate. Whoever organizes the burial is immediately accountable for footing that bill.

Why do funerals cost so much money?

It’s because it takes around-the-clock labor and ample facilities, such as viewing rooms, chapels, limousines, hearses, and more. Therefore, when calculating the cost of funerals, one must not forget to include: retrieving your loved one from where they passed away, embalming & any applicable esthetic treatments, and transportation via a hearse or private automobile.

What is the etiquette for funeral money?

Funeral money is not traditionally given as a gift, though sometimes it would be appropriate to make an exception. For example, if the deceased’s family is left in dire financial straits, friends and family could work together to contribute funds for assistance.

Is it normal to pay for your funeral?

Pre-paying Prepayingral plan is an option that many people are turning to alleviate the financial and emotional burden of making decisions on their behalf after they pass away. This way, loved ones can focus on grieving without worrying about the costs of memorializing them.

What is the cheapest way to hold a funeral?

Cremation is often the least expensive option if you’re looking to keep funeral costs down. However, certain aspects such as flowers, venue hire, catering for the wake, and paying for a burial plot will still incur an additional cost. Nevertheless, there are several reasons why cremation can be cheaper; it eliminates steps like embalming or dressing the body, and families do not need to view the deceased in person if they choose not to.

How much is a graveside funeral

A graveside funeral costs vary based on several factors, including location, funeral home fees, casket/urn choice, and burial plot expenses. It can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in this guide may be affiliate links. I may receive a commission at no cost if you purchase a policy. It helps us keep the lights on!

Shawn Plummer

CEO, The Annuity Expert

Shawn Plummer is a licensed insurance agent and annuity broker with over a decade of first-hand experience. Since beginning his journey in 2009, he has been pivotal in selling and educating about annuities and insurance products. Still, he has also played an instrumental role in training financial advisors for a prestigious Fortune Global 500 insurance company, Allianz. His insights and expertise have made him a sought-after voice in the industry, leading to features in renowned publications such as Time Magazine, Bloomberg, Entrepreneur, Yahoo! Finance, MSN, SmartAsset, The Simple Dollar, U.S. News and World Report, Women’s Health Magazine, and many more. Shawn’s driving ambition? To simplify retirement planning, he ensures his clients understand their choices and secure the best insurance coverage at unbeatable rates.

The Annuity Expert is an independent online insurance agency servicing consumers across the United States. The goal is to help you take the guesswork out of retirement planning and find the best insurance coverage at the cheapest rates

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