Funeral Cost Breakdown: Costs of a Funeral and Burial
A funeral cost breakdown can help you understand the individual costs associated with a funeral. For example, the average funeral price in the U.S. was $7,848 in 2021. Life insurance is the best option for paying for funeral and burial expenses. However, other options include religious and non-profit organizations, federal and state programs, and low-cost alternatives.
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Brad Larson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Brad Larson has been in the insurance industry for over 16 years. He specializes in helping clients navigate the claims process, with a particular emphasis on coverage analysis. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in Political Science. He also holds an Associate in Claims (AIC) and Associate in General Insurance (AINS) designations, as well as a Utah Property and Casual...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Mar 20, 2024
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Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different life insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about life insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything life insurance-related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by life insurance experts.
UPDATED: Mar 20, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right life insurance coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident life insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one life insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different life insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- The average cost of a 2021 funeral in the U.S. was $7,848
- Life insurance is the best option for ensuring that funeral costs are covered, and there are specific policies known as final expense or preneed insurance that are specifically designed to compensate funeral expenses
- If you need help paying for a funeral, you can explore religious and non-profit organizations, federal and state aid, and low-cost alternatives
When you lose a loved one, you are unfortunately hit with the responsibility of making stressful decisions about funeral and burial services. Having to cover the funeral costs out of pocket makes it even more taxing. However, this happens far too often when someone passes away without life insurance or with insufficient coverage.
If you’re currently planning a funeral and wondering, How much is a coffin?, review the funeral cost breakdown below and learn how you can receive help paying for funeral and memorial services.
You can also enter your ZIP code into our free quote comparison tool above to find life insurance and ensure that your loved ones aren’t responsible for the costs of your funeral.
What is the average cost of a burial and funeral?
According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the median cost of a funeral with a viewing and burial is $7,848. In comparison, the median price of a funeral with a viewing and cremation is $6,970.
Take a look at the funeral cost breakdown below.
2021 Average Funeral Cost BreakdownItem | Average Cost in 2021 | Description |
---|---|---|
Cremation casket | $1,310 | This covers the combustible container used in the cremation process. |
Cremation fee | $368 | This covers the cost of the cremation cost from a third-party. |
Embalming | $775 | This covers the cost of preserving the body. |
Funeral home facilities and staff for funeral services | $515 | This covers the cost of using the facilities and assistant staff for funeral services. |
Funeral home facilities and staff for viewing | $450 | This covers the cost of using the facilities and assistant staff for a viewing. |
Funeral service fee | $2,300 | This covers the funeral home's and cemetery's labor and equipment. |
Hearse | $325 | This covers the cost of transporting the body from the funeral home to the cemetery. |
Other preparations of the body | $275 | This covers other preparations, such as cosmetics. |
Printed materials for funeral service | $183 | This covers the cost of printing things such as pamphlets or prayer cards. |
Metal casket | $2,500 | The average casket (metal, fiberboard, fiberglass, or plastic) costs $2,500, but caskets made from mahogany, bronze, or copper can cost up to $10,000. |
Service car or van | $150 | This covers the cost of transportation for family members to and from the funeral. |
Urn | $295 | This covers the cost of the urn to hold the remains after a cremation. |
Vault | $1,572 | This covers the protective enclosure for the coffin. |
The table above includes some of the most common costs associated with funeral services, burials, and cremations. However, other fees can further increase the price.
For example, a burial plot could cost between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the type of plot and your location. In addition, headstones and grave markers vary drastically in price. For example, simple flat markers can cost as low as $200, while monuments may cost as much as $10,000.
Some other costs to consider include floral arrangements and the price of printing an obituary in the newspaper.
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What is the cost of a funeral by state?
Below is a list of the average cost of a funeral in some states.
Average Cost of a Funeral by StateState | Average Cost of a Funeral |
---|---|
Arizona | $6,675 |
California | $6,250 |
Florida | $5,875 |
Georgia | $6,250 |
Idaho | $6,875 |
Illinois | $7,650 |
Maine | $8,675 |
Minnesota | $6,450 |
Nebraska | $6,325 |
North Carolina | $6,250 |
Ohio | $7,450 |
Pennsylvania | $7,700 |
Tennessee | $6,425 |
Texas | $6,375 |
Washington | $6,650 |
In 2021, the West North Central region of the U.S. (including Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska) had the highest average funeral cost of $8,500. In contrast, the Mountain region (including Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming) had the lowest average funeral cost of $6,888.
Read more: Funeral Costs: Cremation vs. Burial
Does life insurance cover funeral expenses?
Yes, life insurance is an excellent resource when paying for a funeral. You can use the death benefit from any type of life insurance to help compensate a funeral. However, specific life insurance policies are created to cover funeral costs like final expense insurance, burial insurance, or preneed insurance. (For more information, read our “Top 10 Best Burial Insurance & Final Expense Insurance Companies“).
Final expense insurance is a type of life insurance partnered with a specific funeral home. First, the policyholder works with the funeral home to plan their final expenses and memorial services to determine what type of death benefit they need. Then, when they die, the funeral home receives the death benefit which pays for the funeral services.
Final expense insurance is typically sold to seniors. The death benefits are significantly smaller than those from other types of policies, usually ranging between $5,000 and $25,000. However, the policies don’t require a medical exam.
How can I get help paying for a funeral?
Funeral costs can accumulate quickly, and many families have difficulty affording funeral services and other final expenses. Life insurance is typically the best option for assistance with paying for a funeral. However, if your loved one passes away without life insurance or with a death benefit that isn’t large enough to afford a funeral, you may need to explore other options.
Some additional options for receiving help with a funeral include:
- Religious organizations and nonprofits – Churches and organizations, such as Funeral Consumers Alliance, may help you to find low-cost options.
- The federal government – Some spouses qualify for a $255 death benefit from the Social Security Administration. If your loved one was a military member, the VA might contribute between $300 and $2,000 for funeral and final expenses
- Disaster relief – If your loved one died due to a natural disaster, the Federal Emergency Management Agency might cover funeral costs.
- State programs – Some states have programs to help pay for funeral costs.
- Low-cost options – If you can’t afford a funeral, you could explore options such as direct cremation, DIY services, or body donation.
As mentioned above, the best choice for ensuring that funeral costs are covered is life insurance. If you want to purchase life insurance to make sure that your loved ones aren’t responsible for paying expensive funeral costs, enter your ZIP code into our free quote comparison tool below to find affordable coverage near you.
Your one-stop online guide for life insurance quotes. Get free quotes now!
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Brad Larson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Brad Larson has been in the insurance industry for over 16 years. He specializes in helping clients navigate the claims process, with a particular emphasis on coverage analysis. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in Political Science. He also holds an Associate in Claims (AIC) and Associate in General Insurance (AINS) designations, as well as a Utah Property and Casual...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about life insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything life insurance-related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by life insurance experts.