Need-to-know numbers
- The median cost of a funeral with viewing and burial is $8,300, according to the National Funeral Directors Association.
- A funeral with viewing followed by cremation has a median cost of $6,280.
- Federal rules let you get prices by phone, pick only the items you want, and bring a casket or urn bought elsewhere.
- Social Security pays only a one-time $255 to an eligible spouse or child, so most families need savings or insurance.
In this article
Funeral cost benchmarks
- Median funeral with viewing and burial: $8,300
- Median funeral with viewing and cremation: $6,280
- Social Security lump-sum death payment: $255
NFDA 2023 General Price List Study, released December 8, 2023. Medians do not include cemetery costs such as a plot or headstone.
How much does a funeral cost? The national median for a traditional service with a viewing and burial is $8,300, and that figure leaves out the cemetery plot, the headstone and the flowers.
Below is what goes into the bill, how cremation compares, and the consumer protections that let you control the total.
How much does a funeral cost with burial vs cremation?
These medians come from funeral home price lists. A plot, opening and closing the grave, a headstone, an obituary and a reception are often billed separately and can add thousands more.
Where the money goes
- β Basic services fee for the funeral director and staff, which you cannot decline
- β Transfer of remains to the funeral home
- β Embalming and other preparation, if you choose a viewing
- β Use of the facilities for a viewing and ceremony
- β Hearse and other vehicles
- β Casket, urn or alternative container
- β Cemetery charges, headstone or marker, and printed materials
Cover the bill before it arrives
SponsoredYour rights under the FTC Funeral Rule
Funeral homes must:
No state law requires routine embalming. A funeral home can require it only for certain choices, such as a public viewing, and must tell you so.
Common money myths
MythEmbalming is required by law.
FactNo state requires it in every case. Refrigeration is often an option when there is no public viewing.
MythYou have to buy the casket from the funeral home.
FactYou can buy one online or from a retailer, and the funeral home must accept it without an extra fee.
MythSocial Security covers the funeral.
FactThe lump-sum death payment is $255, paid only to an eligible surviving spouse or child, and you must apply within two years.
Plan for funeral costs where you live
Add your ZIP code to see term, whole life and final expense options offered where you live. You can look without committing to anything.
How families pay for a funeral
- A life insurance or final expense policy that names a beneficiary
- A payable-on-death bank account
- A preneed plan paid in advance to a funeral home
- Savings, or a crowdfunding page as a last resort
Request the General Price List before you discuss options. Comparing two or three funeral homes by phone takes an hour and can save a meaningful amount.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest type of funeral?
Direct cremation, with no viewing or ceremony at the funeral home, is usually the least expensive option. A memorial can be held later anywhere you like.
Is cremation cheaper than burial?
Usually. The NFDA median for a funeral with viewing and cremation is $6,280, compared with $8,300 for viewing and burial.
Who pays for a funeral if there is no money?
The estate pays first if there are assets. Some counties and states offer limited help for people who cannot afford a burial. Rules vary by location.
How do I apply for the $255 Social Security death payment?
Contact Social Security by phone or in person. You generally must apply within two years of the death.
See life and final expense options for you
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