Average Cost of a Funeral

Making end-of-life arrangements is a difficult and emotional task. There are many decisions, and the expenses are often unexpected. Whether you’re planning a traditional church service followed by a graveside ceremony; a simple cremation without a service; or an uplifting celebration of life with decor, live music, catering and more, we want to help you understand funeral costs.

In this article you will learn:

How much does the average funeral cost?

According to a 2023 report by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the national median cost of a traditional funeral with a viewing and burial is $8,300.

That cost includes:

Transportation of the loved one to the funeral home
Embalming and other preparations of the loved one, such as hair and makeup
Metal casket
A basic services fee for the funeral director and staff’s time
Basic printed materials, such as a funeral program and registry book
Use of a coach
Use of a service car/van

How much does a cremation funeral cost?

According to the same NFDA report, the national median cost of a cremation with a viewing and memorial is $6,280.

That cost includes:

Transportation of the loved one to the funeral home
Embalming and other preparations of the body, such as hair and makeup
A basic services fee for the funeral director and staff’s time
Access to the funeral home’s amenities, including chapels, visitation rooms, reception areas and more
Basic printed materials, such as a funeral program and registry book
Use of a service car/van
Fee for cremation
Cremation container
Urn

Other costs to consider

How much a funeral will cost will depend on a number of factors. To create a more accurate budget, here are some additional costs to consider when planning a memorial or celebration of life.

Venue

Many funeral homes have a chapel or other dedicated space in which to hold a funeral or memorial service. Some have gardens, courtyards, backyards or other natural outdoor areas for funerals and memorials. However, some people may prefer a church or temple setting; others might rather use a restaurant, country club, banquet hall or other venue. A celebration of life may also be held in a friend’s or family member’s backyard, on the beach or in a park (with a permit, of course). Venue costs can be a little or a lot. Though a friend’s yard is free, a hotel ballroom is not.

Music

When planning your venue, you might also wish to think about adding live music. Whether a single musician, such as a harp player for the chapel or a bagpiper for graveside, or an entire band for a catered reception, musicians make an impact at a funeral or memorial. Prices start in the hundreds and can range into the thousands.**

Celebrant or clergy

Often a pastor, priest or other religious affiliate will conduct a funeral service. However, even families who enlist a member of the clergy to lead the service may also want to use a funeral celebrant, a person who is specially trained to help a family incorporate personal details into every aspect of a memorial. The services of clergy members and funeral celebrants typically run a few hundred dollars.**

Catering

Serving food after a funeral is a longstanding tradition for many cultures. Some funeral providers arrange catering services and have dedicated spaces for receptions, which can include anything from refreshing beverages and snacks to a formal seated dinner. Food during a visitation can be not only a convenience but a comfort that encourages guests to spend time together. Catering costs depend on the type of food, number of guests and serving preference.

Decor

Flowers are often a part of a typical funeral. The kinds of flowers and the types and sizes of arrangements inform the total price, which can run from several hundred dollars to the thousands.**

You can also add personal touches to the funeral. Gestures like releasing butterflies, balloons or doves are often part of a service. Those add to the funeral cost, but incorporating unique touches doesn’t have to cost a thing. Asking guests to wear a loved one’s favorite color or a piece of clothing that represents a sports team or a passion for hats, for example, can set a tone and is free. So is having friends and family speak from the heart.

Programs and stationery

Funeral programs and register books are commonplace. Keepsake bookmarks and personalized stationery are other options. Printing beyond a basic memorial printed package contributes to the cost of a funeral.

Mementos and keepsakes

Movies, slideshows, portraits, blankets, mini cremation urns and more make heartfelt funeral keepsakes for family members. Funeral favors, such as personalized golf balls, key rings or boxes of cookies made from a special recipe, are a modern-day way to celebrate life. These items can add to the cost of a funeral, but they don’t have to. Some families opt to divide up a loved one’s collection among family and friends—and that can be the most meaningful remembrance of all.

Families may also wish to budget for cremation jewelry and other lasting ways to keep a loved one’s memory near. Depending on your choice, these types of keepsakes can be inexpensive or costly.

Casket or urn

The cost of a traditional casket or cremation urn varies widely. You can pay a few hundred dollars for a cardboard container used during cremation or many thousands for a high-quality metal or handcrafted wood casket with personal touches.** Cremation urns come in many shapes and sizes. Urn prices reflect size, material and design.

Cemetery costs

The average burial cost is important to add to the breakdown of funeral costs. These additional costs may include the purchase of cemetery property, such as memorial plots, mausoleums or lawn crypts; custom-built memorials or monuments; and opening and closing fees for a burial plot.

How to keep funeral costs affordable

One of the best ways to make a funeral more affordable is by preplanning. A prepaid funeral plan not only offers your family relief from a potential financial burden, but it can also make sure your family only spends money on the options that are important to you.

Another valuable benefit of a prepaid funeral plan is that it allows families protection against price increases. While prices will go up over time, prepaying allows you to lock in prices on some items.

When your family is freed from the need to worry about expenses or craft an end-of-life arrangement on your behalf, they can focus on what’s most important: remembering, grieving and caring for each other during a difficult time.

**Prices and selection vary by provider.