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Death isn’t something that most people want to think about, but it’s inevitable. It can also be expensive. The average funeral that involves a casket, viewing, and burial costs $8,300, while a funeral with a viewing and cremation costs $6,280, according to the latest data from the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA).

Keep in mind these are just median costs for relatively standard services from funeral homes. Other potential death-related expenses, such as buying a cemetery plot and gravestone, only add to the funeral costs, and some people end up spending far more, such as for high-end caskets.

“Most people, especially younger people under 50, have not had the experience of having to pay for a funeral and have no idea that it could cost as much as a small car,” says Shavon Roman, personal finance expert at Heal Plan Invest in Atlanta.

“Also, I think that people purchase on emotion, so when they are picking the best of the best for their loved one, they have no idea that it ends up costing [up to $20,000] quickly,” she adds.

Thinking about how to cover the costs of a loved one’s funeral—or planning to ease the financial burden of your own—can be a tough topic, but it’s an important one to address.

Understanding funeral costs

While some funeral homes offer package deals, individual products and services can cost thousands of dollars. Overall, these expenses are rising slower than the pace of inflation, but that doesn’t mean they’re affordable.

Here are the median funeral costs for common funeral products and services in 2023, the most recent data from the NFDA: 

  • Basic services fee: $2,495
  • Metal casket: $2,500
  • Removal/transfer of remains to funeral home: $395
  • Embalming: $845
  • Other preparation of the body: $295
  • Use of facilities/staff for viewing: $475
  • Use of facilities/staff for funeral ceremony: $550
  • Hearse: $375
  • Service car/van: $175 
  • Basic memorial printed package: $195 

These costs add up to $8,300, a 6.1% increase since 2021. If you want to include a burial vault that protects the casket, that adds an average cost of $1,695.

While these products and services can be pricey, there are ways to save money. For example, one of the most expensive aspects of a funeral is usually the casket, says Roman. To save money, you could buy a much less expensive one from a store like Costco and have it shipped to the funeral home, potentially saving you thousands of dollars, she suggests.

If you want to be cremated, you can avoid the casket and hearse costs altogether, but there are some other expenses, with the following average costs:

  • Cremation fee: $400
  • Alternative cremation container: $160
  • Urn: $295

These cremation fees and other standard funeral expenses total $6,280 — an 8.1% increase from 2021.

Funeral costs by region

It’s important to recognize that costs differ based on several factors, including location. Below is a breakdown of regional costs, according to NFDA data:

RegionMedian cost of an adult funeral with burialMedian cost of an adult funeral with cremation
New England (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT)$8,985$7,023
Middle Atlantic (NJ, NY, PA)$8,573$6,498
South Atlantic (DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, WV, VA)$8,023$6,103
East South Central (AL, KY, MS, TN)$7,615$5,858
West South Central (AR, LA, OK, TX)$7,912$5,890
East North Central (IL, IN, MI, OH, WI)$8,280$6,120
West North Central (IA, MN, KS, MO, ND, SD, NE)$8,755$6,713
Mountain (AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, WY)$7,390$5,505
Pacific (AK, CA, HI, OR, WA)$7,835$5,812

The value of being proactive

Although it’s not an easy subject to broach, planning for funeral costs and talking about your wishes and finances with loved ones can be helpful.

“Most people are not thinking about this until it is time to actually do it,” says Roman. “That creates these really difficult financial decisions that are sometimes double and triple what someone would have made had they had time to really process a decision.”

Being proactive means having a conversation with loved ones ahead of time about things like whether they want to be buried or cremated, or where they want their funeral to take place, she says. Doing so lets you find out what loved ones want, avoid paying for something unnecessarily, and leave enough time to plan for these costs. This might be a morbid conversation, but it’s important.

“Having the conversation isn’t going to increase the chances that we’re going to die sooner. I think that’s the fear that people have,” says Roman.

One way to solidify these wishes is to create a last will and testament. That, along with other estate planning documents like a living will — which specifies health care decisions while still alive — and having updated beneficiary designations for life insurance policies and other financial accounts, can bring clarity to an otherwise confusing, emotional situation.

“Regularly updating your estate plan ensures all information is accurate and helps your family access funds promptly when needed. Make sure your beneficiaries know their roles, how to access critical documents, and understand your specific wishes for your funeral,” says Howard Enders, chief operating officer at The Estate Registry, an estate management company. 

Using life insurance to cover funeral expenses

For some, setting money aside in a high-yield savings account to cover funeral expenses could ease the burden on loved ones. Others may prefer to pay a monthly premium for a life insurance policy that can help cover funeral expenses. In some cases, that means spending more overall than if you set aside savings. But depending on how long you have the policy for and the policy details, it can also mean coming out ahead. 

“Life insurance is unique for each situation,” says Roman. “It’s like a pair of shoes that may be comfortable for me but may not fit you.” 

If you do want to purchase life insurance, you might consider other types of coverage, depending on factors like your age, health, and financial goals.

“Insurance planning can offer invaluable financial relief for funeral expenses. Final expense insurance is specifically designed to cover end-of-life costs and is generally a straightforward, affordable option. In contrast, traditional whole-life policies can provide more flexibility but often involve larger premiums,” says Enders. 

“To decide, consider factors like your budget, your family’s needs, and the type of coverage you’re looking for. Consulting an advisor can also help tailor a solution that best fits your circumstances,” he adds.

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Jake Safane

 
  

Jake Safane is a freelance writer specializing in finance and sustainability. He has worked as a thought leadership editor at The Economist, and his writing has appeared in publications such as CBS MoneyWatch, Business Insider, and the Los Angeles Times.

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