How Much Does a Funeral Cost? 2023 Median Prices and How To Budget
Funeral costs vary enormously by state, city and provider, so any national number is a starting point, not a quote. Still, it helps to know the ballpark before the arrangement meeting.
National median costs (2023)
According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) 2023 General Price List Study:
| Type | National median |
|---|---|
| Adult funeral with viewing and burial | $8,300 |
| Adult funeral with viewing and cremation | $6,280 |
These figures do not include cemetery costs (plot, opening and closing the grave), a vault, a headstone or monument, or miscellaneous charges such as flowers or an obituary. Those can add thousands more.
Costs families often forget
- Cemetery plot or niche and opening/closing of the grave
- Outer burial container (vault or liner), required by many cemeteries
- Headstone or marker
- Certified death certificates, charged per copy
- Obituary placement in a newspaper (often charged by length)
- Officiant honorarium, musicians
- Reception venue and food
- Travel for family
How to keep costs reasonable
- Compare at least two providers. Under the FTC Funeral Rule, funeral homes must give prices by phone and provide an itemized General Price List.
- Buy only what you want. You aren't required to buy a package.
- You can buy a casket or urn elsewhere, and the funeral home can't charge you a fee to use it.
- Consider direct cremation or immediate burial with a memorial service later, often much less expensive.
- Veterans may be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery and a government headstone or marker. Ask the funeral home and the VA.
- Check for a pre-paid plan before you choose anything.
Who pays?
Funeral costs are commonly paid by the family and then reimbursed from the estate, or paid directly by the estate, depending on the situation and state law. Life insurance payouts or a payable-on-death account may also be used. Keep the itemized statement and every receipt.
Source: NFDA, 2023 General Price List Study (nfda.org). Local prices vary widely.
The Funeral Planning & Obituary Pack includes a budget planner with estimate and actual columns and a spreadsheet that compares three providers automatically.
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17-page workbook with your FTC Funeral Rule rights, funeral home comparison, budget planner, 6 obituary templates, eulogy outline and program template. Instant download: PDF + DOCX + XLSX.
Get the Funeral Planning & Obituary PackFamily Paperwork Bundle — $34More guides
- How To Write an Obituary: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide (With Template)
- Obituary Examples: Short, Traditional and Celebration-of-Life Wording
- What Not To Put in an Obituary (Protect Your Family From Scams)
- How To Write a Eulogy: A Simple 4-Part Outline (With Prompts)
- Funeral Planning Checklist: Every Decision, in Order
- The FTC Funeral Rule: Your Rights When Arranging a Funeral
- Questions To Ask a Funeral Home Before You Sign Anything
- Funeral Program Template: A Simple Order of Service
- Funeral Thank-You Note Wording: Short Examples for Every Situation