How Much Does a Funeral Cost? A Plain-English Breakdown
Most families have never priced a funeral until they have to, and they have to do it quickly and while grieving. Knowing the typical numbers ahead of time makes the decision easier and helps you plan how to pay for it.
Average funeral costs
The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) tracks funeral home prices. Its 2023 study put the median cost at about:
| Type of service | Median cost |
|---|---|
| Funeral with viewing and burial | $8,300 |
| Funeral with viewing and cremation | $6,280 |
These figures cover the funeral home’s services and merchandise. They are medians, so half of families pay more. Your local prices may differ, and the numbers may have been updated since this study.
What is usually not included
The funeral home totals above often leave out costs paid to others:
- Cemetery plot, opening and closing the grave, and a grave marker or headstone
- Flowers, an obituary notice, and a funeral luncheon
- Death certificates, which are ordered by the copy
- Clergy or officiant honorarium and musicians
With these added, many families end up spending $10,000 or more on a burial service.
Where the money goes
- Professional services fee. A basic, non-declinable fee that covers the funeral director’s planning and paperwork.
- Casket or urn. Often the biggest single item. Prices range widely.
- Embalming and preparation. Often needed for a viewing.
- Facilities and staff. Visitation, the ceremony, and transport.
Ways to lower the cost
- Ask each funeral home for its General Price List. Funeral homes are required to give you their prices when you ask.
- Consider direct cremation, which skips the viewing and ceremony and costs much less.
- Buy a casket from a source other than the funeral home. You are allowed to.
- Plan ahead and put your wishes in writing.
How families pay
Funerals are due within days, usually from the family’s own savings. That is why many people set up coverage in advance. A final expense policy pays a tax-free benefit to a beneficiary you choose, so cash is available when it is needed. If you are weighing it, read is burial insurance worth it? and are funeral expenses tax deductible?
Get a quote
Amy Plunkett is an independent insurance agent at Plunkett Insurance Services in Castor, Louisiana. She can compare burial and final expense policies from more than 20 carriers to find the best coverage for your health, including options that pay in full from day one. Contact Amy to see what you qualify for.