Average Funeral Cost For All 50 States In 2024

What is the average funeral cost breakdown for each state? Is getting the cheapest funeral possible the right way to go?

Above all, when you are shopping, you want the cheapest funeral possible in most cases. Funeral costs are consistently rising, so you want to weigh what burial vs. cremation costs!

How much does a burial cost? We will go over the average funeral cost by state.

Furthermore, having life and burial life insurance in place is important. However, you always want to find the cheapest funeral possible, or do you?

Funerals are a rite of passage for all and can be costly. But what is the cost in your state? Are you prepared to pay $10,000 or more for burial expenses in your area?

Overall, having funeral insurance is more important than ever! If not, read on to find out how much the average funeral cost by the state is.

Adult child curious about parent’s insurance costs? This guide’s for you. Discover where dying is priciest and how states compare in this article.

You will know how much final expense insurance you will need depending on where you live.

Before we get started, remember that funeral, burial life, and final expense insurance are all forms of life insurance.

Depending on the marketing strategy of the particular life insurance company is what they call it.

Overall, they are just a simplified issue whole life insurance policy.

How Much Does A Burial Cost

It’s wise to know funeral costs even if unplanned for emergencies. The average funeral costs between $7,000 and $12,000.

This includes viewing and burial, basic service fee, etc. Life insurance would cover this, so the family won’t.

Despite the staggering cost of funerals, they are still essential to our society and culture. Many prefer meaningful memorials for loved ones over mere cremation or neglect.

If you are thinking of burial insurance for my parents, then burial life insurance will do the trick. Families should grieve together, addressing loss openly, instead of ignoring it, preventing lingering pain.

Getting a life insurance policy will make this transition easier so you can mourn properly. Overall, that’s very important.

Cheapest Funeral Possible?

Wanting to pay for a funeral can be difficult if you don’t know your budget. This is especially important for senior parents. That’s why burial insurance for seniors is a great way to fix this challenge.

Furthermore, paying for one might seem impossible, especially when the bill starts creeping up with each additional expense tacked on by the cemetery or crematory where it will take place.

Burial life insurance will prevent these headaches. Without prior planning, unexpected needs can become costly fast.

Not only that, but they would also have trouble keeping track of all their payments because money adds up so fast! Again, a life insurance policy prevents these unforeseen payments from piling up.

Knowing funeral costs helps distinguish between essential items and extras. Furthermore, a burial life insurance policy will make the decision easier.

By price shopping, your funeral will be cheaper than expected! In addition, purchasing a life insurance policy will help even more.

Average Funeral Cost By State

What’s The Funeral Cost Breakdown By State? Is it smart to get a funeral insurance policy?

Although it’s not a fun topic to plan for, financial planning ahead of time can help with affordability when the final costs arise.

You may ask, “What’s the average funeral cost in California compared to the average funeral cost in Florida”, or, “What is the cost of cremation in NY compared to TX” you will see the difference below.

No matter where you live, burial life insurance is the best option. Consider extra fees for cremation or specific funeral wishes; funeral insurance can cover these.

The average funeral cost is between $7,000 and $9,000. In addition, families tend to overspend due to emotion or lack of time/experience. Research services & find what fits your budget!

However, having a burial life insurance policy, you will not have to worry about budgeting as much.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) introduced the “Funeral Rule” in 1984, ensuring you have all of your rights as a consumer. Understand your funeral preferences and be aware of consumer protection laws.

Here are the funeral costs for all 50 states from the highest average final expense cost to the lowest:

Average Funeral Costs

State	Funeral Cost	End of Life Cost	Total Cost
Hawaii	$14,975	$26,492	$41,467
California	$11,777	$20,834	$32,611
New York	$10,799	$19,103	$29,902
Oregon	$10,418	$18,430	$28,848
Massachusetts	$10,216	$18,073	$28,289
Alaska	$10,084	$17,840	$27,924
Maryland	$10,069	$17,812	$27,881
Connecticut	$9,914	$17,538	$27,452
New Jersey	$9,712	$17,181	$26,893
Rhode Island	$9,269	$16,398	$25,667
Maine	$9,122	$16,137	$25,259
Vermont	$8,889	$15,725	$24,614
Washington	$8,594	$15,203	$23,797
New Hampshire	$8,516	$15,066	$23,582
Nevada	$8,423	$14,901	$23,324
Delaware	$8,392	$14,846	$23,238
Montana	$8,229	$14,681	$22,910
Colorado	$8,198	$14,503	$22,701
Pennsylvania	$7,895	$13,967	$21,862
Minnesota	$7,887	$13,953	$21,840
Virginia	$7,818	$13,830	$21,648
South Dakota	$7,748	$13,706	$21,454
North Dakota	$7,670	$13,569	$21,239
Utah	$7,639	$13,514	$21,153
Florida	$7,600	$13,445	$21,045
Wisconsin	$7,554	$13,363	$20,917
Arizona	$7,530	$13,321	$20,851
South Carolina	$7,445	$13,170	$20,615
North Carolina	$7,367	$13,003	$20,370
Illinois	$7,336	$12,978	$20,314
Louisiana	$7,290	$12,896	$20,186
Idaho	$7,165	$12,676	$19,841
Texas	$7,103	$12,566	$19,669
West Virginia	$7,072	$12,511	$19,583
Kentucky	$7,057	$12,484	$19,541
Ohio	$7,049	$12,470	$19,519
Nebraska	$7,049	$12,470	$19,519
Iowa	$6,995	$12,374	$19,369
Indiana	$6,987	$12,360	$19,347
Wyoming	$6,933	$12,264	$19,197
Alabama	$6,933	$12,264	$19,197
Georgia	$6,925	$12,250	$19,175
Kansas	$6,909	$12,223	$19,132
Michigan	$6,902	$12,209	$19,111
Tennessee	$6,886	$12,182	$19,068
New Mexico	$6,793	$12,017	$18,810
Missouri	$6,762	$11,962	$18,724
Oklahoma	$6,754	$11,948	$18,702
Arkansas	$6,746	$11,934	$18,680
Mississippi	$6,684	$11,825	$18,509

Click on The State You Live For an Indepth Look

What Is The Breakdown Of Funeral Costs

According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), in 2019, the median funeral cost was $7,640, with or without a vault.

A burial plot with a headstone and flowers were not included, but an obituary would be needed for this price, making it more expensive at about $9,135, including vaults.

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Getting an affordable funeral insurance policy will make it a small monthly payment obligation.

When calculating burial costs, you may have to include the cost of a grave box or burial vault to preserve remains from soil and insect activity. This is all part of your normal final expense.

Overall, remember, cremation cost in Mississippi will be different than that in Las Vegas. Although, a life insurance policy can cover you in any location or state.

7 Tips to Save Money on Funeral Costs

With death comes grief, but also are expensive. Handling a loved one’s arrangements? Balancing cost-cutting with preserving their dignity can be challenging.

This is why taking care of your final expense costs with a burial life insurance policy is key. This life insurance for my parents or parent will work best.

Here are seven ways to help ease some of those burdens for you!

How to save on Funeral Cost Breakdown

1. Comparison shopping online

InsuranceForBurial.com offers free instant quotes online. In addition, we can look at prices in your zip code and surrounding areas to price shop the best deal. We will also can provide tips for consumers looking to save money on their arrangements in their area with our concierge plan. Also, we have an award winning state-by-state directory of organizations that help people find low-cost funerals nearby

2. Skip The Embalming Process

Rather than pay $700 to have your loved one embalmed, you can save a lot of money by having them refrigerated for just 50$. Getting a life insurance policy will cover this.

3. Do Not Take The Gasketed Coffin/Casket

When grieving, some people are drawn to products based on how comforting they sound: A “protective” casket, for instance. These special gaskets only cost the funeral home $8 but could raise the price of a casket by as much as 800$. And while these aren’t necessary since nothing is wrong with natural decay and decomposition after death anyway. A simple life insurance policy will cover these costs. Also always check the funeral home prices.

4. If a Direct Cremation, Ask For The Wood

If you choose direct cremation, without a viewing or other ceremony where the body is present, there isn’t any law that requires you to purchase an expensive casket. You can choose between inexpensive unfinished wood boxes and alternative containers like pressboard cardboard canvas for your loved one’s final rest. Getting life insurance covers cremations.

5. Shop For A Coffin or Urn Somewhere Else or Online

Why are coffins so expensive? If you plan to buy a casket or urn, the law requires that it be purchased from an outside retailer. You can purchase one yourself without having to use your funeral home of choice and while saving money in doing so! Getting life insurance will assist you in this. And always check the funeral home prices on their price list.

If you are hunting for deals then warehouse clubs are great, with Costco Wholesale selling an 18-guage steel casket finished in “Neapolitan blue” with silver shading and the inside head panel inscribed “In God’s Care” online (shipping included) for $950. A similar-looking metal casket was priced at more than twice as much from a funeral home in Niles, MI while also offering adult urns made of brass including velvet pouches that are sold on their website ($90 shipping included). Once again, a life insurance policy will cover all these funeral home costs.

6. Home Funeral? Yes It Is Done

You can complete a death certificate, file it, care for the body at home and take it to its final resting place yourself. Most families did precisely that until funeral services became more widely available in the early 20th century. You will need the death certificate and claim form to file a claim with your life insurance policy.

7. You Can Donate Your Body To A Medical School

Although donation typically occurs directly after death, some medical schools coordinate memorial services for the families at a later date. Generally, cremated remains are returned to the family when they complete their study, which lasts one or two years. However, this option is very scarce, as over 3mm people die annually, and medical schools only take about 20,000 donations a year. So having a funeral insurance policy is an excellent path to go down.

How To Avoid Emotional Overspending

There are multiple reasons why a family may emotionally overspend on funeral arrangements costs.

These include:

• The emotional impact of losing someone,
• Time constraints
• Lack of prior experience with funerals
• Pressure from some funeral homes
• Cemeteries prioritize profit over savings for families

In fact, when it comes to our own deaths, most of us don’t take the time and effort needed to get a good deal. This is why talking to family about life insurance for your final expense is so important.

We simply accept whatever kind of funeral our local mortuary or crematory offers—for about $10,000 on average in 2016.

Is that really what you want? Would your family want a costly casket with cheap materials and a body preserved with toxins?

Would your family pay for pricey vaults aimed more at deterring grave robbers than supporting caskets?

Can we not do better at burying loved ones more affordably without compromising their dignity? Getting life insurance to cover all this based on families dying wishes is dignified.

What does the average funeral cost include

If you are certain that a burial is your preferred choice, typical expenses include:

• Gravesite cost/Burial Plot
• Price of coffin
• Coffin/Vault Container
• Hidden Service Fees
• Transportation fees (make sure you review the mortuary transport price list)

This can all add up quickly! Above all, call around local funeral homes for a list of prices, so you know who will be the best provider!

Also, positioning yourself with an affordable funeral insurance policy takes stress off at the worst times. Plan ahead with personal and professional checklists to convey preferences, reducing future stress.

If you have any questions about funeral insurance coverage, contact us.

What Are My Funeral Rights

The FTC introduced the Funeral Rule in 1984 to prevent funeral homes from pressuring people into buying goods and services they didn’t need or want.

Designed to shield consumers from overcharges for desired items during vulnerable times.

You have the right to buy goods you want, be offered pricing information over the phone, and receive an itemized statement of all services before making any payments.

You can also pick out your casket or urn and refuse to embalm before a funeral.

Consider writing a will and getting funeral insurance to ease family burden during tough times.

In addition, make sure you stay away from ads that claim they are from the state regulated funeral program as they are lead generators.

What Is The Cheapest Way To Be Cremated

A National Funeral Directors Association study shows cremation costs range from $1,000-8,000 based on selected options.

Funeral insurance will cover this.

The 2020 NFDA Cremation & Burial Report predicts that in five years, more than half will opt for cremations, and prices are expected to rise due in part because it’s becoming an increasingly popular choice.

How Much Does A Typical Funeral Cost

Burying a loved one is an emotionally charged event, which makes it all the more important to be financially prepared.

So getting a life insurance policy to cover the final expense is the best thing you can do for your family.

Uncertain about service costs or regional variations? Consult multiple funeral homes for quotes before deciding.

People grieving a recent death struggle to plan their loved one’s funerals. They have so many decisions they need to make, which is very hard for them because of how difficult the process can be at this time.

If you have this down in a will, you can have a funeral home as the beneficiary of the funeral insurance policy. This way, it is all taken care of.

The most important aspect of planning a funeral is having the necessary information about your loved one’s final wishes in writing. A will and a life insurance policy can do this.

Planning ahead offers peace of mind, ensuring no surprises at passing.

How Much Does A Burial Cost vs Cremation

Save ahead, reducing stress for family members during difficult times. Or, buying a funeral insurance policy which is the insurance for my parents that it will cover, Talk to mom and dad about this.

The median price of a funeral and burial is $9,135, according to the National Funeral Directors Association.

How Much Will The Funeral Home Charge

A typical fee for basic services can be around $2,000-$2500. Optional items like caskets are not included in this price and must be purchased separately.

When choosing which funeral home to use, it’s important to understand your options. Contacting several funeral homes will provide you with a range of prices for the services available in your area.

Funerals are required by law to give general pricing information over the phone for any service that interests you. So make sure you are on point for whatever it costs.

You can purchase a burial life insurance policy to cover all these funeral home costs. Most policies provide life insurance coverage between $2,000 to $50,000.

This is perfect if you are buying life insurance for my parents.

Is It Better To Get Buried Or Cremated (You Decide)

You can choose to be cremated for as little as $1,000. If you want a ceremony and embalming, it will cost almost double that price at up to $8,000, depending on the state!

Depending on the smaller items chosen, burial can cost up to $9000.

Caskets cost thousands; headstones and grave liners can add more based on material.

Life insurance will cover this final expense.

How Much Does Embalming Cost? Is Embalming Necessary?

When deciding how much embalming will cost, several factors come into play. One is if you are cremated or buried and the time between when the death occurred and when a service began.

Embalming averages around $500-$700 depending on these circumstances, but it can be as low as $400-$450 without refrigeration for up to 10 days before burial.

Of course, this will cost an additional $100 after that, included in the average price range mentioned above.

Should I Purchase Flowers Or A Funeral Wreath

Flowers are often an easy way for families to save on burial costs. However, they can be costly when you add in additional fees from the florist or funeral home. So buying burial insurance can cover this.

If on a tight budget, individual flower requests may be pricier than bulk package deals with funeral services.

On average, flowers cost about $500-$700. This price doesn’t include any discounts available through local churches or florists, which could lower total spending by almost half that amount depending on where you live in relation to these businesses within your area.

Although this option does offer some savings, most families have found this route more expensive. Having life insurance in place will cover this final expense.

A decent-sized “across the casket wreath” will cost between $500-$700 depending on the florist, flowers used and size of the display.

Wreaths are usually displayed around the casket and typically cost about $100-$200 each. Casket wreaths are displayed across the caskets themselves and vary in cost depending upon how large it is as well as which Florists you choose.

Pricing out life insurance for my parents can save a lot of headaches in the future. Please have this discussion with them.

What Is The Average Cost Of A Funeral Plot

A cemetery plot can cost anywhere from $350-$5,000. In addition to the grave being costly, it also has an additional fee for opening and closing, around $1-3k.

For veterans or their families, consult the VA about burial allowances.

Doing so can save up to $3000 in burial at a national cemetery. This would lower the cost of getting life insurance to cover a final expense.

The VA reimburses the cost of transporting any living spouse/child/parent related to an honorably discharged veteran. It also pays for their burial plot in a certified cemetery that may be much less than traditional plots.

You should note that families pay additional costs like flower obituary notices while family members cover transportation expenses themselves.

When purchasing a gravesite, don’t forget to ask about the cemetery’s maintenance fee. This will help you plan your budget for when it comes time to pay up!

All these funeral home costs will be covered with a life insurance policy.

How Much Should A Grave Marker Cost

Some headstones lie flat on the ground and cost around $1,000. Grave markers typically stand upright on top of a grave and cost around $2,500-$5,000, depending on design type.

Each material cost depends heavily upon which kind you buy, with stone being cheaper than bronze, for example.

The headstone or grave marker that you choose to buy may depend largely upon where in the cemetery your body is buried, as most funeral homes can sell them.

Still, third-party retailers are also an option, potentially saving hundreds of dollars if needed.

Are Coffins Cheaper Than Caskets

When it comes to traditional funerals, the casket is often the most expensive item on your list.

Caskets vary widely in style and design, from their metal construction to more affordable woods that sell for as little as $5k or upwards of ten grand!

It’s important to remember you don’t have to buy any funeral items directly from the funeral home.

Not only can buying outside of a funeral home help save thousands of dollars, but now more and more people are having caskets shipped directly from third-party retailers like Amazon or Walmart rather than purchasing them in stores within the actual funeral homes.

By law, these services must accept your provided coffin without charging additional fees; they cannot refuse service because it didn’t come through their store/warehouse.

How Much Do You Pay For Funeral Insurance

The average funeral expenses can cost about $9,100, according to the NFDA. Even cremation services can be costly depending on how they are performed.

Unfortunately, only individuals who qualify receive a lump-sum payment of around $255 from the federal government for these costs.

If you’re concerned about your family experiencing a financial burden when you pass, consider getting final expense insurance.

Final expense – known as burial or funeral insurance – is specifically designed to help with necessary funeral home costs and other end-of-life expenses like caskets.

What Type Of Insurance Covers Funeral Costs

Life insurance is one of the most efficient and trusted ways to cover final expenses. In particular, whole life insurance works well because it can help pay off any funeral home costs associated with death.

People often turn to final expense insurance as a way of protecting loved ones from experiencing financial burdens when they pass.

This is especially popular with seniors, and InsuranceForBurial.com understands this better than anyone else in the industry because “Each family is unique” and has different concerns for their deceased loved one(s).

Should I Prepay My Funeral Expenses

With the cost of funerals continuing to rise, more and more people are choosing to cover their funeral expenses – both to ensure that they have final wishes followed upon death and for loved ones not to have a financial burden.

Pre-need is one way to go. However, we advise against it.

The best way to save up money for funeral and burial expenses is through a final expense insurance policy, sometimes referred to as burial insurance or funeral insurance.

The purpose of this policy is to pay out the death benefit – often between $10,000 and $25,000 – which would go towards covering end-of-life costs like funerals but could also be used on anything that family members might need it for, such as travel fees or unpaid medical bills.

Burial Assistance For The Uninsured

Grieving families may be tempted to overspend on funerals – and can often regret it later.

But this doesn’t mean we should stop spending entirely; rather, there’s a way to cut costs without skimping out on respect for the deceased: having pre-arranged funeral packages is an affordable option that will ensure all needs are met while creating peace of mind for those left behind.

If you are someone who is looking to plan the funeral services of a loved one, it’s important that they have support throughout this process.

Organizations such as the Funeral Consumers Alliance and National Funeral Directors Association exist to provide help when necessary.

Don’t feel pressured into spending more than your budget allows – remember that family members don’t always know what expenses can be incurred due to customs or traditions surrounding funerals!

To protect you from overspending on buying burial insurance or if you would like your loved ones not to have a financial burden with the cost of a burial, write down what details about funerals matter most to you ahead of time.

This includes whether they prefer cremation vs. traditional viewing and where that service should occur (at a church or cemetery).

If I Can’t Afford a Funeral What Do I Do

The least expensive option for families is to have a direct burial without embalming the body or having visitation.

Direct cremation, which involves no post-mortem preparation and where the deceased’s remains are collected by an appointed agent of the funeral establishment (often within hours of death), costs several thousand dollars less than traditional funerals.

Are Military Funerals Free

Military veterans are eligible for a range of benefits if they have passed away. These include free burials in national cemeteries and grave markers, as well as burial plots and tombstones for the surviving family members.

It is important to call your local VA office before planning a military funeral. They can give you the full list of discounts and benefits and available funeral plans for veterans.

What Questions Should I Ask The Funeral Director

When planning, it is important to ask whether a funeral home is independent or part of a corporation.

A study from the Consumer Federation of America and Funeral Consumers Alliance found that median prices at funeral homes owned by SCI were 47 to 72 percent higher than those for independent businesses.

Other important questions to ask the funeral director:

• Do you belong to associations or organizations?
• Are services handled in-house or outsourced to vendors?
• What kinds of funeral packages do you offer?
• Do I have options for embalming, viewing, cremation, and type of funeral or memorial service?
• Are my options limited due to personal beliefs?
• What are my payment options?
• Can I customize the funeral service?
• What are the basic costs, and what additional expenses should I expect?
• Do you work with insurance companies?

What Funeral Expenses are Tax Deductible

While it may be comforting to know that you’re not the only one wondering, “Are funeral expenses tax-deductible?” Unfortunately, according to IRS guidelines, most individuals will not qualify for a deduction.

However, if your estate qualifies, some deductions might be available; but check with your accountant first!

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• Protect Your Loved Ones from Funeral Expenses: Burial Insurance In Milwaukee

FAQs

Conclusion

Funerals can be one of the most expensive things a family has to plan for, and it’s hard to know what your total costs will end up being.

You must ensure you stay away from overpriced Colonial Penn and State Farm products.

We wanted to help make that easier by compiling data from all 50 states on how much you expect to pay for a funeral service.

That way, when someone asks, “What is the average cost of a funeral?” You have an answer!

Let us know what questions we left unanswered at ceo@insuranceforburial.com or fill out the quote box on the right.

More Burial Insurance Resources

• Burial Insurance
• Burial Insurance By Age
• Burial Insurance By State
• Burial Insurance Carrier Reviews
• Burial Insurance Carriers To Avoid
• Burial Insurance For Seniors
• Burial Insurance With Pre Existing Conditions
• Funeral Resources
• Informational