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If you’ve found yourself looking up, “How much does a funeral cost,” then we understand you’re going through a challenging time. The average funeral costs $8,500 nationally, with prices ranging from $7,533 in Oregon to $9,697 in Minnesota.
Most families discover these costs at the worst possible moment. It’s difficult to deal with grief and plan for a funeral, so we’re here to help.
Not sure whether a cremation or a funeral is the right path? The team at After are here to guide you through your options with transparency, care, and zero pressure. You can call us 24/7 at 1-844-760-0427.
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This guide breaks down real funeral costs, explains pricing, and shows you affordable planning options.
Average Funeral Costs in 2025
The average funeral costs upwards of $8,500 nationally. This covers traditional burial with viewing and ceremony. Most families pay between $7,500 and $10,000.
States show big price differences. The gap between the highest and lowest costs can exceed $2,000. Higher-cost states have expensive real estate and limited cemetery space. Lower-cost states offer more competition between funeral providers.
Lowest-Cost States
Highest-Cost States
Funeral directors coordinate the entire process. They handle permits, file death certificates, prepare the body, and provide space for viewing and ceremony.
If you need to know how much a cremation is, it costs much less than a full-service burial. Direct cremation costs $368 for the process and basic urns cost $295. For example, After’s complete packages start at $995. This saves 80% compared to burial.
Funeral Cost Breakdown: What’s Typically Included
Funeral homes include many services in one total price. Most families don’t see the full breakdown until they get the final bill.
The Federal Trade Commission requires itemized price lists. But many funeral homes don’t explain what each service includes. Knowing each cost helps you decide what to keep and what to skip.
Here’s a breakdown of the services included:
- Basic services fee costs $2,300. This covers funeral director coordination, filing permits, and obtaining death certificates.
- Embalming costs $775 plus $275 for cosmetic preparation. This preserves the body and prepares it for viewing.
- Viewing facility costs $450. This provides space for family and friends to visit before the service.
- The ceremony facility costs $515. This covers the funeral home chapel or room for the service.
- Metal caskets cost $2,500 and wood caskets cost $3,000. These are the most common casket types chosen by families.
- Public cemetery plots cost $1,500 while private cemetery plots cost $3,500. Location and exclusivity drive the price difference.
- Burial vaults cost $1,572. Most cemeteries require these concrete liners to prevent ground settling.
- Flat headstones cost $1,000 while raised headstones cost $3,500. The style and size determine the final price.
- Hearse rental costs $325, and service vehicles cost $150. These transport the deceased and family to the cemetery.
Averages don’t often include all the costs. For example, it doesn’t include premium caskets that can cost up to $22,000. Flowers cost $600 for arrangements. Obituary notices cost extra. Catering adds hundreds more.
Common Ways That Funeral Homes Increase Costs
Funeral homes use several business practices that can increase your final bill. Many families don't realize how pricing works in the funeral industry. If you understand these common practices, you can make informed decisions to avoid unnecessary expenses.
Bundled "Package Pricing" Can Hide Individual Costs
Funeral homes often offer all-inclusive packages without listing separate prices. This makes it hard to compare providers or remove services you don’t need. A package might include embalming, viewing, ceremony, casket, and burial as one price.
You may not know that embalming alone costs $775. You might pay for services you don’t want simply because they’re bundled. Package pricing limits your choices and increases overall costs.
Markups and Add-On Services
Caskets often sell for 300–500% more than wholesale prices. A $600 casket may cost $3,000 in a funeral home. This markup covers overhead like staff, showrooms, and operations. Funeral homes usually display expensive caskets first. They sometimes hide lower-cost options or make them harder to access.
Add-on services can multiply your costs. Funeral directors may suggest additional services like premium flowers, upgraded headstones, or memorial videos. Each addition costs hundreds or thousands more. These suggestions are well-meaning but increase overall costs significantly.
Third-Party Charges
Funeral homes arrange cemetery, crematory, and permit services. They may add coordination fees on top of third-party costs. For example, they might charge $200 for a death certificate that costs $25 from the state. Some institutions may also mark up the price of cemetery services without clear disclosure.
Burial vs. Cremation: What’s More Affordable?
Cremation costs much less than burial in most cases. Direct cremation averages $2,202 nationwide. Traditional burial averages $8,592. Choosing cremation can save you about $6,390, or 74% compared to burial.
How much does a burial cost?
- Traditional full-service burial: $4,850 to $21,475 (Average cost is $8,592)
- Affordable burial: $2,830 to $11,800 (Average cost is $5,138)
How much does a cremation cost?
- Direct cremation: $275 to $9,800 (Average cost is $2,202)
- Full-service cremation: $2,230 to $19,300 (Average cost is $6,250)
Direct cremation offers the biggest savings. This simple option includes basic services, transfer to the crematory, and crematory fees. It averages at about $2,200. You can skip expensive services like embalming, viewing, and elaborate ceremonies.
Full-service cremation includes traditional funeral elements. This option adds embalming, viewing and visitation, funeral service, and a cremation casket. You get the ceremony aspects families often want while still avoiding cemetery costs. The cost is about $6,250.
Key savings with cremation come from eliminating burial expenses:
- No cemetery plot needed (saves $1,500-$3,500)
- No burial vault required (saves $1,572)
- No expensive casket (saves $2,500-$3,500)
- No headstone costs (saves $1,000-$3,500)
- No embalming required for direct cremation (saves $763)
Cost Comparison between Burials vs. Cremations
Prices vary by location and provider. Some regions show smaller cost differences between cremation and burial. Premium cremation services with expensive urns and ceremonies can cost as much as burial. Basic cremation still offers the most affordable option for families focused on saving money.
Cremation eliminates ongoing cemetery maintenance fees. Burial plots require perpetual care fees that increase long-term costs. You can keep cremated remains at home, scatter them, or place them in affordable columbarium niches. These options reduce future expenses and create long-term savings.
How Much Does a Funeral Cost without Compromising Dignity?
You can honor your loved one without overspending. Dignity comes from how you celebrate their life, not the price you pay. Many families save thousands by focusing on what matters and skipping extras.
Here are some ways to reduce funeral costs.
Choose Direct Cremation for Maximum Savings
Direct cremation costs $2,202 on average, as cited above. Traditional burial costs $8,592. Choosing direct cremation saves $6,390 while still honoring your loved one with respect.
The cremation happens shortly after death without embalming or viewing. You can hold a memorial service later, whenever it feels right.
Compare providers before choosing one. Funeral costs vary widely, even within the same area. Call at least three funeral homes and ask for itemized price lists. Some charge $1,500 for direct cremation, while others charge up to $4,000 for the same service.
Online providers like After often offer lower prices than traditional funeral homes.
Skip Embalming When Possible
Embalming costs an average of $763. Most states don’t require it by law. You only need embalming for an open-casket viewing or delayed services. Direct cremation removes this cost completely. Refrigeration preserves the body effectively for short-term needs.
Host Your Own Memorial Service
Funeral home facilities cost over $400 for viewing and ceremony space. You can rent community centers, churches, or restaurants for much less. Home gatherings cost nothing and often feel more personal. This saves hundreds while creating exactly the atmosphere your family wants.
Decline Expensive Upsells and Stick to Basics
Funeral directors may suggest premium caskets, upgraded transportation, and memorial keepsakes. Basic services meet all your needs without extras. Choose the least expensive casket if you need one for cremation. Skip the luxury hearse upgrade that costs $200 more than standard transportation.
Consider Immediate Burial Without Services
Immediate burial costs less than traditional burial but more than cremation. You skip embalming, viewing, and a formal ceremony.
You still have a grave site for burial. Immediate burial averages $3,000 to $5,000, compared to $8,592 for full-service burial.
Handle Paperwork Yourself When Possible
Funeral homes often charge extra per death certificate when they are cheaper to get from the state. They add coordination fees for services you can arrange directly. Order death certificates yourself from vital records offices. Contact cemeteries directly to compare plot prices.
Plan Ahead To Avoid Emotional Spending
Grief makes people spend more on unnecessary items. Pre-planning lets you compare prices and make rational decisions. You can lock in current prices and avoid pressure from commissioned sales staff. Pre-planning also reduces stress on your family during difficult times.
Check out our guide to prepaid funerals for more ideas.
Why After Helps to Keep Funeral Costs Down
After offers direct cremation starting at $995. This flat-rate package includes everything you need. The base package covers transportation, cremation, a basic urn, and death certificate coordination.
It also includes support from a dedicated Care Specialist. You don’t pay extra for permits, paperwork, or communication. Traditional funeral homes often list these as separate charges. You can complete everything online or by phone.
We publish all our prices upfront on the website. Traditional funeral homes often hide costs until you’re emotionally committed. After removes that uncertainty and builds trust through transparency.
Care Specialists guide you through the entire process. Support is available 24/7 when you need it.
Plan Ahead With Transparent Pricing
We help families answer the question “How much does a funeral cost” when it matters most. We provide customers with pre-arrangement services that lock in current prices and eliminate future uncertainty. You can complete paperwork and secure pricing without immediate payment. This protects your family from both emotional and financial pressure.
Funeral costs rise annually. By pre-arranging with After, you pay current rates even if prices increase before you need services.
The pre-planning process takes just minutes online. You can review packages and pricing on our website. You may complete arrangements online or speak with a planning specialist.
If you expect your loved one to pass within 6 months, then consider pre-registering. This allows you to complete some steps when you're not actively grieving. You don’t need to pay until you need these services.
After serves families in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington. Planning specialists are available 24/7 to answer questions and guide you through options.
You can call 1-844-760-0427 anytime to learn more about planning transparent, affordable cremation services.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Do Funerals Cost on Average in the U.S.?
Funerals cost more than $8,500 on average in the U.S. This includes traditional burial with viewing and ceremony. Costs range from $7,533 in Oregon to $9,697 in Minnesota. Direct cremation can cost $6,000 less, as mentioned above.
What Is the Cheapest Way to Arrange a Funeral?
The cheapest way to arrange a funeral is through direct cremation. After offers cremation starting at $995 with transparent pricing. You can hold a memorial later at your own location to save more.
Can You Deduct Funeral Costs on Your Taxes?
You cannot deduct funeral costs on personal taxes in most cases. The IRS does not count funeral expenses as medical or charitable deductions. However, estates may deduct funeral costs paid by the estate. Ask a tax professional for advice based on your situation.
Does Insurance Cover Funeral Expenses?
Life insurance covers funeral expenses when beneficiaries use the payout for that purpose. Some policies include specific funeral benefits or early payouts for terminal illness. Funeral insurance covers cremation or burial directly. Check your policy or contact your agent to confirm your coverage.
How Much Does Cremation Cost Compared to Burial?
Cremation costs $2,202 on average, compared to $8,592 for burial. This saves families about $6,390, or 74%. Direct cremation avoids cemetery plot fees, vaults, and expensive caskets. Even full-service cremation, at $6,250, still costs less than burial.
Can You Plan a Funeral Without a Funeral Home?
You can plan a funeral without a funeral home in most states. Families may handle transport, cremation, and memorials on their own. Some states require licensed funeral directors for tasks like embalming or burial permits. Online providers like After offer licensed services without in-person visits.
What Hidden Costs Should You Look Out For?
Hidden funeral costs include cash advance markups, mileage fees, and coordination charges. Funeral homes may mark up death certificates, flowers, and obituaries considerably. They may also charge extra for transport or administrative “aftercare” services. Always request a full itemized price list before agreeing to services.
What Does a $995 Cremation Package Include?
A $995 cremation package from After includes transportation, cremation, a basic urn, and support. It also covers paperwork, permit handling, and death certificate coordination. You receive the ashes in a scattering urn within 2–4 business days. There are no hidden fees or surprise charges.
How Soon Do You Have to Pay for a Funeral?
You have to pay for funeral services before cremation or burial happens. Most funeral homes require payment within 24–48 hours. After offers payment plans and doesn’t require immediate full payment. Some families use life insurance or estate funds to cover final costs.
What Is the Best Affordable Funeral Provider in My State?
The best affordable funeral provider depends on your location and needs. After offers $995 cremation packages in AZ, CA, CO, NV, OR, TX, UT, and WA. Compare providers by checking price lists and reading reviews. Choose providers with transparent pricing, no hidden fees, and supportive staff.
Dallin Preece
Chief Revenue Officer
Published Date:
August 12, 2025