How much does an average funeral cost?

Funeral expenses vary significantly by state and by funeral details you choose

If you’ve started estate planning and preparing your end-of-life plans, you’ll need to know one key fact: how much an average funeral costs. Among other things, it will help you determine whether you need to purchase Final Expense or Preneed Funeral insurance to cover your funeral costs.

The figures below are national median and average funeral expenses in the United States. Prices vary significantly by state and by funeral details you choose.

If you’d like to compare the costs between burial and cremation and adjust the figures below to better fit your state, check out our funeral expenses calculator.

Funeral home/director

Basic services of staff: $2,300
Transportation of remains to funeral home: $350
Embalming: $775
Other preparations of the body: $275
Viewing and ceremony (use of facilities and staff): $965
Hearse: $325
Service car/limousine: $150
Memorial printed package: $183
Memorial video production: $880–$1,200

Burial

Casket: $1,500–$3,000
Burial vault: $1,572
Burial clothing: $95–$400
Burial cosmetology and hairdressing: $250

Cremation

Cremation fee (if third-party is used): $368
Cremation casket: $1,310
Cremation urn: $295
Urn vault: $100–$400

Officiant

Clergy or officiant: $100–$1,200 depending
Organist: $175–$250
Vocalist: $100–$200

Flowers

Floral arrangements: $50–$80 per arrangement
Large casket floral spray: $250–$700

Cemetery arrangements

Burial plot: $3,581
Opening and closing of the grave: $1,000–$1,500
Endowment care: $150–$250
Grave monument/tombstone and installation fees: $500–$850
Graveside service: $700–$2,400

Miscellaneous

Guest book and memorial sheets: $25–$250
Food for post-funeral reception: Average costs for a caterer range from $7–$45 per guest
Obituary in newspaper or online: $200–$500
Transportation and lodging for out-of-town guests: $120-$300
Death certificate: $20 (per certificate)

Compare burial and cremation costs with the funeral expenses calculator.

This article may contain links to third party websites, but Great Western Insurance Company is neither responsible nor liable for their content, accuracy, or security. Review our Terms and Conditions to learn more.

Estimate your funeral expenses

Our funeral expenses calculator can help estimate your burial and end-of-life expenses and show how those costs could be affected by inflation over time.

Calculate Your Funeral Expenses

Request a FREE Funeral Planning Guide

Do you need help preplanning your final wishes? Request a free copy of our Planning Guide.

First Name:
Last Name:
Address:
City:
State:
ZIP Code:
Phone:
Email:
Preferred Funeral Home:

How to plan a funeral step-by-step

When you’re overcome with grief, every task seems overwhelming. To ease your strain, we’ve compiled this list to walk you through planning a funeral, step-by-step.

How to write an obituary, step by step

Follow this simple obituary format to celebrate and honor someone who has passed away.

Checklist: What to do when someone dies

You've just lost a loved one. You're consumed by grief and can't think what to do next. Use this outline to walk through what to do when someone dies, step-by-step.

Funeral etiquette guide: What to say, what to wear, and more

From the funeral viewing to the post-funeral reception, this funeral etiquette guide will help you properly pay your respects.