When it comes to understanding average funeral costs, there is a lot to consider. You must take into account your loved ones’ final wishes. I recently wrote about my own father’s death. We had moved him to California to be with family in his last months. His wish was to be buried in his family plot back in Kewanee, Illinois. Upon his passing, we had to ensure he was transported back to his hometown and make all the final arrangements for the memorial/celebration of life to be held. It was A LOT and the costs added up.
When planning these final arrangements, there are many elements to consider. A big factor is cost. Hopefully your loved one had made their final wishes known and their estate had funds to pay for these costs.
How much does an average funeral cost?
A recent price survey by the National Funeral Directors Association showed that the median cost of a traditional funeral and burial is over $9,000. A traditional funeral includes a viewing. These costs do not include cemetery costs. A typical burial plot will be between $1,000 to $3,000, and the cemetery interment could cost $1,000 to $2,000. A simple grave marker and installation could easily cost another $1,000. In addition, an honorarium is typically paid to the officiating clergy. Other extra costs include the cost of a newspaper obituary, death certificates, and perhaps flowers. Considering all these costs, a traditional funeral with a burial can easily cost as much as $15,000. Of course, the exact price will depend on the funeral home and cemetery you choose what you include in your service and the price of the merchandise you select.
How can you control expenses?
One of the ways you can reduce the funeral cost is to limit items, such as visitation. You may be able to reduce costs if you have a brief visitation on the day of the funeral rather than holding it the day before. You can also select a less expensive casket and burial vault. An estimate for a no-frills traditional funeral with the casket present, you may get your cost down to around $6,000 to $7,000. A memorial service or graveside service can be arranged for $5,000 to $6,000.
One way to significantly reduce costs would be by choosing cremation over burial. NOTE – you will want to ensure your loved one would agree to a cremation. Keep in mind that the costs exclude cemetery costs.
How much does an average cremation cost?
A recent price survey by the National Funeral Directors Association showed that the median cost of a traditional funeral and cremation is approximately $7,000. A traditional funeral includes a viewing. Many people do not realize you can have a traditional funeral and visitation followed by a cremation. Cremation caskets and rental caskets are available for traditional funerals before cremation. More commonly, people choose to have a memorial service after the cremation, which can cost between $4,000 to $6,000. There are many options for where to hold a memorial service that can reduce costs. A direct cremation (no funeral service) can cost as little as $1,000. The body is delivered to the crematory with a direct cremation, and the remains are returned to the family.
How much does a casket cost?
Caskets come in a wide range of materials and designs. A good quality casket would be somewhere between $3,000 to $4,000. If you are buying through a funeral home, you may be able to purchase a basic casket for about $1,500. At the high end, you can easily spend $10,000 or more.
How much does a burial plot cost?
A typical burial plot will probably cost between $1,000 to $3,000. The actual cost depends on where you live, how many cemeteries are in your area, and what part of the cemetery you choose. For example, a prime space at the top of a hill overlooking a valley may be more expensive than a flat space in a memorial garden. Interment in a mausoleum crypt can easily cost $2,000 to $3,000 more than a burial plot.
Is cremation cheaper than burial?
Cremation can be much more economical than in-ground burial. A traditional funeral with burial costs upwards of $10,000, and cremation with a memorial service can cost thousands less. However, deciding whether to be cremated is very personal and depends on your faith, traditions, and other factors.
How can I pay for a funeral if I don’t have any money?
Finding the money to pay for a funeral can be difficult if the deceased and their family have not planned ahead. There are places where you can get help. Some states and local municipalities have programs to help defray costs, and many financial tools can be used. In most cases, if the deceased does not have assets in their estate (bank or brokerage accounts, retirement accounts, a home), then the family may need to come together to fund these expenses and arrange a payment plan.