The Funeralocity Manifesto
Funeral costs can vary greatly, depending on factors like location, type of service, and personal wishes of the deceased or family members. To give consumers some insight regarding funeral costs to expect, Funeralocity has compiled extensive data on the average funeral prices by state.
For an even broader perspective, the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) reports that the national median cost of a funeral with viewing and burial is $7,848. Keep in mind, these are just averages, and the cost of burials, cremation, and memorial services will look different for everyone.
Keep reading for a better idea on the factors that contribute to a funeral’s costs.
Funeral Costs: What You Pay For
The average funeral and burial costs charged by a majority of funeral homes include the following:
- General service charges common to all funerals
- Additional options and products catering to personal choices and/or cultural traditions.
- Cash advances for any merchandise purchased for you from other vendors, such as:
- Obituary notices
- Flower arrangements
- Clergy fees
- Musicians
- Cemetery costs
The funeral director is expected to tell the family how much these services cost before making the advance purchase, and they must also pass on any discounts or rebates on cash advance items provided by the third party seller. It’s important to know your rights and the basic services you should expect after purchasing services from a funeral home or crematorium, and Funeralocity is committed to advocating for consumers dealing with funeral costs. Use our tool, Ombudsperson if you feel you have a valid dispute with a funeral home.
Funeral Costs Broken Down
Funeral Director Services
The basic general services provided by the funeral director are non-declinable. They include:
- Filing the death certificate
- Procuring permits and licenses
- Arranging the funeral service
- Ensuring safe handling of remains during transportation
- General overhead expense management
Removal of Remains
The costs involved in transferring the deceased from place of death to the funeral home or crematorium.
Average cost estimate: $325
Embalming
Embalming is not a legal requirement if the body is immediately buried or cremated. It is, however, strongly recommended for a viewing/visitation service. Embalming is required in certain cases, like if the deceased is transported between states or countries or if there is a long period of time between death and burial.
Average cost estimate: $725
Body Preparation
These services include washing the body, clothing, doing makeup, and styling hair. Preparing the body is a respectful process that requires a professional touch. Families are welcome to provide clothing, jewelry, and other small mementos to place in the casket with the deceased.
Average cost estimate: $250
Viewing and Funeral Service
Depending on the type of funeral service – and if a viewing is planned – these costs cover rental charges for the funeral venue, as well as staffing expenses. Other fees are associated with holding the funeral service, like audio-visual equipment rental, parking assistance, and more.
Average cost estimate: $900*
*due to the wide variation in options for viewing services, this cost will depend greatly on personal choices of the deceased or family members/loved ones
Transportation
Funeral transportation charges cover the use of a hearse, limousine, and/or other service vehicle which transports the body. There may also be an additional fee for a funeral procession, based on the distance between funeral venues, the overall number of participants, and whether security is required.
Average cost estimate: $500
Memorial Print Package
Printing funeral service programs, memorial cards, and keepsakes (such as bookmarks or photos) are usually part of the funeral printing package expenses.
Average cost estimate: $160
Casket
You can purchase a casket from a funeral home showroom, an outside vendor, or even online. Funeral homes must adhere to the Funeral Rule, which gives families the right to get a written casket price list before viewing the actual caskets. This gives the bereaved a better idea of how much they can expect to pay.
Caskets are easily customizable, and come in a variety of materials. The most common choice is a combination of wood and metal. As with all commodities, casket prices can vary dramatically. For example, a simple pine box will cost far less than a top-of-the-line bronze model.
Average cost estimate: $2,400
Burial Costs Broken Down
If a graveside ceremony is planned for after the funeral service, another set of burial expenses will be incurred. For a burial that takes place in a cemetery, the family is expected to pay for the grave plot beforehand.
Burial Plot
The cost of a burial plot depends on the type of plot, as well as the location. Most cemeteries provide single-space graves for one person, and double-space plots where two people can be buried in the same grave. Companion plots are also available for those who prefer to be buried side by side, and mausoleums allow for the above-ground burial of individuals or families.
Grave plots in rural cemeteries are often cheaper than plots in cemeteries near large cities (where space is at a premium). As such, burial plots can cost anywhere from $200 to $20,000. It’s also important to note that purchasing a plot does not mean you own the land. Instead, you are buying burial rights which give you the right to use the land for the exclusive purpose of burying your loved one(s). This is subject to cemetery rules and regulations.
Some families choose to have a home burial on private land. In this case, local zoning regulations must be followed and all necessary licenses and permits need to be acquired before interment.
Burial Vault
Because the casket declines over time, cemeteries often require a burial vault or grave liner to prevent the casket from sinking further into the ground. Grave liners cost less than burial vaults, as they cover only the top and sides of the casket. A burial vault surrounds the casket and is often made of reinforced concrete or metal.
Average cost (national median): $1,000 to $10,000
Interment Fees
Interment fees are incurred for opening and closing the grave. This process usually involves the use of a backhoe to dig and shape the gravesite, according to specified dimensions.
Average cost: $300 to $1,500
Headstone or Grave Marker
Headstones and grave markers come in an assortment of shapes, sizes, designs, and colors. Materials used to construct these gravestones can include granite, bronze, marble, limestone, and various other mediums. Inscriptions – and even images – are engraved or etched on the headstone in different styles and finishes.
Grave markers lie flat on the ground, while headstones and monuments can be positioned upright or slanted. Installation costs are usually included in the overall price, which can vary greatly depending on the size and intricacy of the headstone or grave marker.
Average cost: $1,000 – $10,000
Perpetual Care
Perpetual care fees are charged by cemeteries to cover continued maintenance costs for the burial ground. These can include tasks such as landscaping and mowing, security, and general upkeep. Costs vary based on the cemetery, so make sure to inquire about this cost when choosing a burial plot.
Funeral Choices & Costs
Paying for and deciding upon funeral costs can be overwhelming, regardless of if you’re making pre-planned funeral arrangements yourself, or rushing to make them for a family member or loved one who has passed. Remember that the total funeral cost ultimately depends on the type of goods and services chosen for a loved one, or the funeral options selected when pre-planning your own funeral. A traditional funeral service with burial may cost more than a memorial ceremony, but each service can be arranged and personalized according to budgetary constraints while providing an opportunity for loved ones to gather in honor of the deceased.
Talk with your funeral director about payment options that help cover some of the funeral costs. Funeral professionals can also explain how to use life insurance policies or burial insurance to pay burial costs, and provide information on financial and social assistance programs available to families in need. If you’re looking to stay on the affordable side, check out our guide on affordable funeral plans.
To find funeral homes and compare funeral costs in your area, visit Funeralocity – our funeral home comparison listings and other resources are free of charge to consumers.
Back to Knowledge Center
