Funeral Cost: What to Expect and How to Get Help

Managing & Understanding Funeral Costs

Funeral costs have risen steadily — and for most families, the total comes as a surprise. A traditional funeral with burial now costs $12,000 to $15,000 or more when all expenses are counted. Even a simpler cremation with a memorial service can run $4,000 to $7,000.

This section of Funeralwise covers both sides of the equation: what funerals actually cost, and how to pay for them — whether you’re planning ahead or facing an unexpected loss right now. If money is a concern, you are not without options. Government programs, nonprofit organizations, and community resources exist specifically to help families in your situation.

Use the links below to go directly to the topic you need, or scroll down for an overview and our most frequently asked questions.

Where Would You Like to Start?

Planning ahead: Start with “What a Funeral Costs” and “Ways to Pay in Advance” below.
Arranging a funeral now: Go straight to “Ways to Pay” or use the “Reducing Funeral Costs” tips.
Struggling to afford a funeral: Jump to “Getting Financial Help” — government programs, veterans benefits, state assistance, and more.

Understanding Funeral Costs

The price of a funeral depends on the type of service, the merchandise you choose, the funeral home you select, and where you live. Costs vary more than most people expect — and understanding what drives them is the first step to managing them.

What a Funeral Costs

Reducing Funeral Costs

Ways to Pay for a Funeral

Whether you’re setting money aside now or making arrangements today, there are more payment options than most families realize. Planning ahead offers the most flexibility, but even with no advance preparation, solutions exist.

Planning Ahead

Paying at Time of Need

Getting Financial Help Paying for a Funeral

If funds are limited, you may qualify for assistance you don’t know about. Government programs, veterans’ benefits, state and county programs, and community organizations all exist to help families cover funeral costs. Many families miss out simply because they don’t know where to look — or don’t ask in time.

Government Programs

All Assistance Options

Important: Ask Before You Sign: Many assistance programs require the funeral home to apply on your behalf before services are completed. If you think you may need help, ask about assistance options before finalizing any arrangements — not after.

HOW MUCH DOES A FUNERAL COST

A detailed breakdown of every cost component — funeral home fees, cemetery costs, caskets, headstones, and more. Includes current national averages and a cost comparison by service type.

See the Full Cost Breakdown

PLAN YOUR FUNERAL IN ADVANCE

Planning ahead is the single most effective way to control costs and protect your family from difficult decisions. Our step-by-step guide and After Me Planner make it straightforward.

Visit the Funeral Planning Guide

GETTING FINANCIAL HELP

From government programs and veterans’ benefits to state assistance and nonprofit organizations, help may be available even when money is very tight. Don’t miss out — many families don’t know these resources exist.

Find Financial Help Options

Can’t find what you need to know about managing and understanding funeral costs? Try Wiley, our chatbot, or email us at support@funeralwise.com.

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The AFTER ME system helps you gather, organize, and store your information and documents. You’ll be able to leave behind a plan for your funeral or memorial service, documents to finalize your affairs, and information to commemorate your life.

Learn More About After Me

Frequently Asked Questions About Funeral Costs

When it comes to understanding average funeral costs, there is a lot to learn. In fact, it can actually be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created our Funeral Costs: Frequently Asked Questions page. We’ve addressed some of the questions we hear most frequently and hope this page helps you better understand what to expect when shopping for funeral products and services.

There are many elements to consider, and you will find pricing presented in many different ways. If you have a question not listed below and haven’t found an answer, please let us know. We’ll do our best to help in any way we can.

How much does an average funeral cost?

The NFDA’s most recent national survey (2023) puts the median cost of a traditional funeral with burial at over $9,000 for funeral home services alone. Add a burial plot ($1,000–$3,000), cemetery interment ($1,000–$2,000), a headstone ($1,000–$3,000), and extras like death certificates, obituaries, and flowers, and the all-in total typically reaches $12,000–$15,000 or more. Costs vary by location, funeral home, and the choices you make.

You have more options than you may realize. Start by asking the funeral home about low-cost alternatives, such as direct cremation (often $1,000–$2,500) and payment plans. Then explore government programs: most states offer burial assistance for low-income families, veterans are entitled to free burial in a national cemetery, and the Social Security Administration pays a $255 lump-sum death benefit to eligible survivors. If there are truly no funds, contact your county government about indigent burial services. See our article: “How to Get Help Paying for a Funeral.”

Several programs may be available depending on circumstances: (1) State and county burial assistance — most states administer programs for low-income families; benefit amounts vary widely. (2) Veterans’ benefits — the VA offers free burial in a national cemetery, a government headstone or marker, and a burial allowance for eligible veterans. (3) Social Security lump-sum death benefit — a one-time $255 payment to a surviving spouse or dependent child. (4) FEMA Other Needs Assistance — available when a death was caused by a presidentially declared disaster. See our page on state-by-state assistance for details.

The least expensive option is direct cremation — no viewing, no ceremony, remains delivered directly to the family. Nationally, direct cremation averages $1,000–$2,500. A graveside service or simple memorial service after cremation can be arranged for $3,500–$6,000. A no-frills traditional funeral with a casket present typically starts around $6,000–$7,000 (not including cemetery costs). For detailed tips, request our Guide to an Affordable Funeral.

A direct cremation (no service, remains returned to family) typically costs $1,000–$2,500. A memorial service held after cremation runs $4,000–$7,000. A traditional funeral with viewing, followed by cremation, is comparable in cost to a traditional burial, averaging $6,500–$9,000. Many people don’t realize you can have a full traditional service before cremation — rental caskets are available for this purpose.

Caskets range from under $1,000 to over $10,000. A good-quality casket through a funeral home typically costs $2,000–$5,000. Under the FTC Funeral Rule, funeral homes must accept caskets purchased elsewhere and cannot charge a handling fee, so buying online or through a third-party retailer can save significantly. For more on casket prices and materials, visit our Caskets page.

A typical burial plot costs $1,000–$3,000, though prices vary by location, cemetery, and section. Cemetery interment (opening and closing the grave) adds another $1,000–$2,000. Interment in a mausoleum crypt generally costs more. Veterans and their spouses are entitled to burial in a national cemetery at no cost.

Yes. The FTC Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to provide itemized price lists and honor your right to select only the items you need — you are never required to purchase a package. You can also supply your own casket or urn, and the funeral home cannot legally refuse it or add a handling fee. Many funeral homes, especially independent ones, are open to payment plans and will work with families experiencing financial hardship.

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Expert Contributors to our Funeral Planning Pages

This page was created as a collaborative effort of the members of the Funeralwise team. The Wise Guys who contributed to this page include Rick Paskin and Molly Gorny. If you have any questions about our experience, how we can help you plan for what comes next, or about our editorial team, please email us at support@funeralwise.com.