This guide outlines the average funeral cost, including detailed breakdowns of expenses like flowers, pastors, and state-specific end-of-life expenses.
When you plan a funeral, the last thing you want to do is to plan a funeral. You’re often bereaved in the face of loss, overwhelmed with any inherited medical debt, and lost at the thought of planning an entire event that would make your loved one feel cherished. Still, planning a funeral and being strategic is essential, especially if you want to avoid unwanted costs. Dealing with funeral costs can be an added stressor that you don’t need in that moment, especially if you’re also accounting for any additional debt that your loved one left behind. To help alleviate some of your burdens when planning a funeral, we’ve compiled this guide to answer any questions about funeral costs and how you can help collect funds for any unexpected costs.
According to a 2024 estimate from the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the average funeral in the United States costs between $7,000 and $8,000, which they expect to rise with inflation. This cost does not account for extra fees, such as flowers and decorations, but instead includes the following:
Funeral costs may also differ depending on how you would like to honor your loved one — whether in a casket with a viewing service and a plot of land in a cemetery or with a cremation service and an urn. Costs may also vary from state to state and individual prices for funeral homes.
Funeral flowers are often an added cost that funeral homes don’t provide and account for, and many loved ones and families have to supply them instead. Different flower arrangements differ in cost based on how complex they are, how many flowers are included, and what types of flowers are included. For example, a bouquet can cost between $50 and $250, while a specialty arrangement or a casket spray can cost between $50 and $400.
Some florists provide a complete floral package, which includes a bouquet, casket spray, boutonnieres for pallbearers, etc., and can cost between $200 and $800.
If you decide to bury your loved one in a casket, your cost will vary depending on the style of the casket and what materials the casket is. The average cost of a metal casket, according to the NFDA, is $2,500. When factoring in the cost of a casket, it’s also important to consider associated costs, which may not be included in the estimated cost for the casket, including:
In addition, the NFDA expects these costs to rise, as the cost of a casket funeral has risen over 5% in the past two years. This is important to consider as you budget and plan for a funeral.
Similar to a casket, an urn that holds the cremated remains of your loved one may vary in cost depending on the material it is. The average cost of a standard urn is $295, according to the NFDA. It’s also important to consider the associated costs that come with cremation, such as:
Similarly to casket prices, the average cost of urns has risen in previous years — even more so than caskets. The average cost of a funeral with cremation services rose 8% from 2021 to 2023.
An officiant can play an essential role in your funeral, as they can help loved ones heal from the trauma of grief while also finding ways to celebrate your loved one’s life. They may be anyone from a priest, pastor, or a religious figure to a motivational speaker or a funeral director. The average cost of a funeral officiant is $250 to $1,000 in total. Many speakers may also bill a flat fee, while others may request an hourly rate — each choice may affect the total cost of their services depending on how long the funeral occurs and what services they offer.
Dropping thousands of dollars unexpectedly is unattainable for most. Still, you don’t want to completely neglect your loved one’s funeral just to avoid unnecessary expenses. On the other hand, before you place a personal loan that could destroy your credit score and your financial well-being, look into some of these funding options.
Personal savings is one of the most straightforward ways to cover funeral expenses. While it may deplete some of your financial reserves, using your savings can prevent the need to take on debt or liquidate other assets quickly. As such, it’s advisable to always budget for emergency savings for unexpected events like the death of a loved one.
Many funeral homes understand that people cannot pay for their services simultaneously. As a result, many have payment plans allowing families to spread the overall cost of their services over a period with varying interest rates. This may be a great choice if you know you’ll be able to pay off the funeral services eventually, but you may not want to deplete all your savings immediately.
Insurance exists for a reason — it helps you alleviate the financial burdens you may encounter unexpectedly, from end-of-life costs to funeral costs. Several types of insurance can help cover funeral expenses, including:
For most types of insurance, you must sign up before the event of death to avoid unexpected costs.
The government can fund funeral costs through several key federal programs, including Social Security and the VA. Although some of these funds aren’t comprehensive enough to cover total funeral expenses, they can provide loved ones with the boost they need during emotionally and financially challenging times.
If your loved one ever paid social security taxes in their lifetime, you may be able to receive survivor benefits if you are:
The actual benefits you will receive depend on your loved one’s income and your age. The older you are, the larger the percentage you may receive of your loved one’s income in a lump sum payment. As a rule of thumb, all children receive 75% of their parent’s income.
Similar to survivor benefits, the VA provides burial allowances to the families of veterans as long as they meet the following requirements:
The amount you receive for burial depends on the veteran, when they served, if they were receiving VA care at the time of their death, and whether their death was connected to their service. Generally speaking, you will receive more money if your loved one served and died as a result of an injury from their service. They may also cover entirely most, if not all, of the costs if you choose to bury your loved one in a VA national cemetery.
In the event of a death, people around you or who knew your loved one may want to find ways to support you. Instead of making a casserole, though, it may be more helpful to contribute financially to help cover funeral expenses. Thanks to crowdfunding apps like GoFundMe, this process is even more straightforward. People primarily use this site to raise funds for emergencies, and you can even use templates created by the platform specifically catered for funeral expenses. When creating the GoFundMe page, provide personal details of your loved one and how you’ll use the expenses to honor them through a funeral. This will give a transparent image of how you’ll use funds and motivate others to lend a helping hand during difficult times.
Funding a funeral relies on how you plan it. Often, it can be a balancing act. On one hand, you may want to plan an extravagant funeral service that honors your loved one’s image and wishes. On the other hand, you don’t want to break the bank because of your purchases. You want to balance honoring your loved one’s life and wishes while strategically choosing your purchase options.
When planning a funeral, your first step is to look to your loved one’s will, as they may have outlined their ideal funeral. They may have specific details about whether they’d want to be buried or cremated, where they would like their remains to end up, and other details regarding the ceremony. You want to honor these wishes as much as possible and budget accordingly. Consulting the will can also help guide you in any conflicts with family members regarding funeral arrangements. Use the will as a guidepost for any future decisions.
Families can avoid overspending and make informed decisions about the necessary services and products by setting a budget beforehand. The goal should be to stay within or even below the budget, allowing room for unexpected expenses while still honoring the deceased’s wishes.
When budgeting for a funeral, prioritize the essential elements of the service and look for ways to cut unnecessary expenses. For example, families can opt for simpler caskets or urns, consider alternatives to expensive floral arrangements, or hold the service at a more affordable venue.
Funeral arrangements can be emotionally and financially overwhelming, and involving family members in the planning process can help ease some of that burden. Families can work together to organize the service and ensure everyone is on the same page by discussing preferences, costs, and responsibilities.
In addition to offering emotional support, family members can often contribute financially to help cover funeral expenses. Whether through pooling resources or taking on specific tasks, involving loved ones can make the process more manageable and ensure that no single person is left carrying the entire financial load.
Funeral costs can vary significantly depending on the service provider, so comparing multiple options is essential before making a final decision. Different funeral homes may offer varying estimates for the same services, and some may include additional fees or provide package deals that can either raise or lower the overall cost. It’s also worth asking if the provider offers payment plans or financial assistance, which could help make the arrangements more affordable. By researching beforehand, you can ensure you have the best value for the funeral service based on your budget.
Ultimately, you are not alone when paying for a funeral. You have options available that can help ease any financial burden you’re facing after the loss of a loved one.
As of 2021, the national average burial cost is $7,848. The national average funeral with cremation costs $6,971. This cost may vary depending on where you live and the additional services you requested. This average includes expenses such as the funeral home fee, casket, embalming, transportation, and burial plot or cremation.
Typical funeral expenses include the funeral home fee, casket or urn, embalming, transportation, viewing or service fees, cemetery plot, headstone, flowers, and officiant fees. Each of these costs can vary based on location and personal preferences.
Funeral costs can vary significantly by state due to differences in local regulations, average income levels, and regional traditions. For example, funerals in states like California and New York are more expensive than those in the Midwest.
Final expense life insurance covers funeral costs, but whether it covers all expenses depends on the policy amount and the total cost of the funeral. Choosing a policy that aligns with your anticipated funeral costs is crucial.
Burial insurance is a final expense insurance specifically intended to cover burial-related costs. Final expense insurance can be more flexible, covering a broader range of end-of-life expenses, including medical bills and funeral services.
Yes, affordable options like direct cremation can significantly reduce costs. Some funeral homes also offer package deals or discounts for pre-planned funerals, which can help manage expenses.
Pre-planning your funeral allows you to lock in current prices and avoid future cost increases. It also gives you time to shop for the best deals and choose services that fit your budget.
Payment options for funeral expenses include personal savings, life insurance payouts, final expense insurance, government benefits, veteran benefits, pre-payment plans, and crowdfunding.
Social Security offers a one-time death benefit of $255 to eligible surviving family members, but this amount is generally insufficient to cover all funeral expenses.
Veterans and their families may be eligible for funeral benefits, including burial in a national cemetery, a government-issued headstone, and a burial flag. These benefits can help reduce the overall cost of a funeral.
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