How much does a funeral cost? A complete guide
Grieving the death of a loved one is never easy, and on top of that, you’re also left with having to figure out funeral arrangements. Soaring funeral costs can quickly spiral out of control, with burial expenses getting in the way of planning a proper ceremony among relatives and friends.
So, how much does a funeral cost, really?
The total costs average from $7,000 to $10,000. These expenses can include embalming and transportation, use of a funeral home, funeral services, burial plot, and headstone. There are also the death certificate, cremation, and other additional costs.
What a lot of families don’t know is that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) governs fundamental funeral expenses through something known as the Funeral Rule. The FTC requires that funeral providers present their services in a transparent general price list. But even with some protections in place, the full cost of a funeral can be unaffordable for many, which is why an increasing number of families are turning to crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe.
Crowdfunding can not only help cover the cost of funeral services, but also provide emotional support during a very difficult time.
How much does a funeral cost?
Families typically reach out to funeral providers to begin making funeral arrangements soon after a loved one passes away. It helps to have a person there who isn’t feeling emotionally overwhelmed, someone who can help ask questions and make decisions with a cool head.
Funeral homes will then be able to break down the cost of every basic service. They will cover the funeral ceremony itself, embalming, use of a crematory, basic service fees, what type of service you want, and more.
Here are some general price list study details, according to recent data from the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA):
- The 2023 national median cost of a funeral with a viewing and burial is $8,300.
- When a burial vault is required, the 2023 national median cost rises to $9,995.
- Embalming is optional if you don’t want there to be a public viewing, and it typically costs about $800.
Funeral homes may ask for cash in advance for items such as the death certificate, obituary notices, and a burial permit. These items can cost up to $1,688.
What’s included in funeral costs
- Basic services fee (required): This non-declinable fee covers the funeral home’s essential services, including arranging the funeral, securing permits, coordinating with third parties, and handling administrative tasks.
- Embalming (usually optional): Embalming is not required by federal law in most situations and is typically optional unless the funeral home or state law requires it under specific circumstances, such as extended delays before burial or certain types of transportation.
- Viewing or visitation (optional): If you choose to hold a public or private viewing before the funeral, you’ll typically pay for the use of the facility, staff, and preparation of the deceased.
- Funeral ceremony (optional): Costs for the funeral or memorial service vary depending on whether the ceremony is held at the funeral home, a place of worship, a cemetery, or another venue.
- Transportation (often required): Funeral transportation may include transferring your loved one into the funeral home’s care and using a hearse or other vehicle to transport them to the service or cemetery.
- Casket or alternative container (required for burial; alternative container required for cremation): Caskets are one of the largest funeral expenses, while cremation typically requires a less expensive alternative container instead of a traditional casket.
- Outer burial container or burial vault (often required): While not required by law in most states, many cemeteries require a burial vault or grave liner to help prevent the ground from settling over time.
- Burial plot and headstone (required for most traditional burials): Cemetery expenses are generally separate from funeral home charges and may include purchasing a burial plot, opening and closing the grave, and installing a headstone or grave marker.
- Miscellaneous add-ons (optional): Additional costs can include flowers, printed programs, obituary notices, clergy or officiant honorariums, musicians, memorial keepsakes, catering, and other personalized services that reflect your loved one’s life.
Because every funeral is different, the total cost will depend on the combination of services you choose. Reviewing the funeral home’s general price list can help you compare prices, understand which items are optional, and make informed decisions that fit your family’s needs and budget.
Cemetery and burial costs
Families that opt for a full-service burial will often have a procession from the funeral home to the graveside service. Direct burial and traditional burials involve burial plot fees, transport in a hearse, and the purchase of a burial container or metal casket.
- The median cost for a hearse is $375.
- A burial plot can run from $1,500 to $2,500.
- Prices for a standard metal casket range from $2,000 to $10,000.
A funeral home will oftentimes sell outer burial containers or liners, which some cemeteries require to prevent the ground from collapsing. These add an extra cost.
A gravestone is another big item to account for. Gravestones can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands, depending on the materials.
Memorial service costs
As the cost of a traditional type of funeral becomes more expensive, memorial services are a great alternative. They are often conducted without the body being present and allow more flexibility for loved ones who are making plans from far away.
Memorial services do have costs; here are some of them:
- The NFDA report found that 48% of those surveyed prefer their cremated remains to be scattered in a sentimental place. And, on average, a memorial service with cremation costs $6,280.
- Cremation costs can range widely, depending upon the funeral parlor. It typically costs on average $2,200 to $2,600, although ornate styles or specialty materials can be more expensive.
- Families can save money by opting for an alternative container. A plain, undecorated wood or fiberboard casket will cost about $150.
- For anyone interested in having a green burial, the price of a preservation site can be about $2,000. With limited or no use for embalming or metal caskets, green burial planning is a more eco-friendly and affordable choice. However, the exact price will depend on your state and where the burial plot is located.
How much does cremation cost?
An option that is growing in popularity for families who wish to keep things simple and affordable is direct cremation. This approach avoids a funeral ceremony or a memorial service before having cremation done, reducing overall cost. What you should know:
- A direct cremation usually covers transportation, the crematory fee, and the return of the remains in an alternative container.
- Funeral providers might offer pre-planning packages that secure today’s cost of cremation and give family members time to make decisions and navigate funeral planning without added pressure.
- Cremation services are also regulated under the Funeral Rule, so always ask for the general price list when shopping for direct cremation.
- More than 63% of Americans now choose cremation.
Cremation with a viewing or service
Families who want to hold a viewing before cremation or a memorial or funeral service at the funeral home can expect to pay significantly more than they would for direct cremation. According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the 2023 national median cost of a funeral with cremation and a viewing and funeral service is $6,280. While this is less expensive than the median cost of a traditional burial, it’s much closer in price than many families expect. Understanding the difference between direct cremation and full-service cremation is one of the biggest cost decisions families face when planning a funeral, as the addition of visitation, ceremony, and related services can substantially increase the total cost.
Burial vs. cremation: which costs more?
The cost of a funeral depends largely on the type of disposition and the services you choose. According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the 2023 national median cost of a traditional funeral with a viewing and burial is $8,300. If a burial vault is included, that median rises to $9,995. A full-service cremation with a viewing and funeral service has a 2023 national median cost of $6,280, making it less expensive than a traditional burial but still a significant expense. By comparison, direct cremation typically costs $2,645 when the cremation container is provided by the family, or $2,750 when it’s provided by the funeral home. Immediate burial costs $2,995 when the burial container is provided by the family, or $3,720 when it’s provided by the funeral home. As cremation has grown in popularity, it is projected to account for 63.4% of U.S. disposals in 2025, which makes understanding the difference between direct and full-service arrangements one of the most important factors in planning funeral costs.
How to pay for a funeral
Paying for a funeral often involves combining several sources of funding, especially when costs arise unexpectedly. The right option depends on your family’s financial situation, whether your loved one planned ahead, and what assistance may be available.
- Personal savings or life insurance: Many families use personal savings or the proceeds from a life insurance policy to cover funeral expenses. Some people also purchase final expense insurance (sometimes called burial insurance), a type of policy specifically designed to help pay for funeral and end-of-life costs.
- Payment plans through the funeral home: Many funeral homes offer financing or installment payment plans that allow families to spread costs over time. If paying the full amount upfront isn’t possible, ask the funeral director what payment options are available.
- Government assistance: Eligible surviving spouses or dependent children may qualify for the Social Security Administration’s one-time lump-sum death payment of $255. Qualifying veterans and their families may also be eligible for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs burial benefits, which can include burial allowances, a gravesite in a national cemetery, a government headstone or marker, and other benefits, depending on eligibility.
- GoFundMe: Many families turn to GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses by raising money from friends, relatives, coworkers, and members of their community. There are no eligibility requirements to start a fundraiser, and donations can help ease the financial burden while giving loved ones a meaningful way to show their support. Transaction fees, including credit and debit card processing fees, apply.
How GoFundMe can help with funeral costs
With the average cost of a funeral, burial plot, or cremation services, and in some cases, a lack of final expense insurance or burial insurance, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But you don’t have to do it by yourself.
GoFundMe is used by families every day to help raise money for funeral and burial expenses. A fundraiser can be shared with friends, family, and your community through text message, social media, or email, making it easy for supporters to contribute from wherever they are. There are no eligibility requirements or application processes to start a fundraiser. Transaction fees, including credit and debit card processing fees, apply.
Crowdfunding can help reduce the financial burden while giving others a chance to show their love and support. Create a funeral or memorial fund on GoFundMe today to help bring people together to honor your loved one.
Financial support for funeral costs
Planning a funeral often involves balancing emotional decisions with financial realities. Understanding the typical costs and knowing what resources are available can help families make informed choices during a challenging time. If funeral expenses become overwhelming, options such as community support and crowdfunding can help ease the financial burden, allowing families to focus on honoring their loved one’s memory.