Funeral Costs Calculator
Use our free funeral costs calculator to estimate the cost of a funeral and final expenses.
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Funeral and Burial Costs
According to the Federal Trade Commission, a casket alone could cost anywhere between $2,000 and $10,000.1 Because these costs have risen steadily over the last few years, many seniors acquire a life insurance policy that provides funds for immediate expenses like funerals.
While our calculator can do the math on your behalf, you’ll likely need to do some of your own research beforehand. This is because the cost of different funeral services and burials can vary based on your location and provider. A funeral in New York, for example, might be more expensive than a funeral in Mississippi. Try to call funeral homes in your area to get an estimate or rundown of the cost of different services. Then, use our calculator below.
Other Final Expenses
The funeral and burial are not the only final expenses to consider. Hospice care and legal fees to execute your will could also be included in final expenses. However, these costs are less predictable and may depend on things like your medical history and the complexity of your estate plan. As a result, you may want to talk with your family and a trusted financial advisor about the costs of final expenses that go beyond the funeral and burial.
Pro Tip: Want to get your finances in order as soon as possible? Check out our guide to finances for seniors.
How to Use Our Funeral Costs Calculator
Our funeral cost calculator requires various inputs spread across five categories – professional services, facilities and staff services, transportation services, merchandise, and other expenses.
Professional Services
- Basic services of funeral director and staff
- Embalming
- Other preparations of the body
Most funeral homes provide an itemized list of services and their costs. Keep in mind that the “basic services fee” is usually non-declinable, meaning you have to pay it regardless of the specific arrangements you choose. If you can't get specific numbers, you can often get estimates by calling funeral homes in your area. Unless you've helped manage the cost of someone else's funeral, the best way to find these figures is to do some research and contact multiple funeral service providers.
Did You Know? According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the national median cost of a funeral with a viewing and burial was $8,300 in 2023.
Facilities and Staff Services
- Viewing and ceremony
- Cemetery and graveside
This category can get complex because it can include fees from various people and entities. You will need to pay the cemetery directly for the grave plot. It is important to note that cemetery fees, such as opening and closing the grave, are rarely included in the funeral home's initial quote and can add significantly to the bill. If you choose a graveside ceremony instead of a traditional viewing and indoor ceremony, you may lower your overall costs. Alternatively, you might choose to have a traditional viewing, ceremony, and a graveside ceremony. Regardless of how you arrange the funeral, you'll likely have to pay fees to the funeral service provider, cemetery, and person or religious leader who conducts the ceremony.
Transportation Services
- Transfer remains to the funeral home
- Hearse
- Limousine
Most transportation will come in the form of itemized services provided by the funeral home. Ask about mileage limits; many providers charge additional fees if the transportation exceeds a certain radius, usually around 25 to 50 miles. However, if you want a limousine for the bereaved, you will likely need to hire from a separate provider of limousine services.
Merchandise
- Casket or cremation urn
- Burial or urn vault
- Memorial or tombstone
Choosing between cremation and a traditional burial will also affect the cost of the funeral. The median cost of a funeral with cremation is roughly $6,280, which is significantly lower than a burial, according to the NFDA's 2023 data. Burials tend to be more expensive than cremations, in part because the burials include large caskets, grave plots, and tombstones. These are generally offered through distinct providers, so you’ll need to contact funeral homes, cemeteries, and professional masons to get exact quotes.
Other Expenses
- Burial clothing
- Floral arrangements
- Food
- Airfare and accommodation
- Other
Some of these expenses may not apply to your plans, but it's important to consider additional costs that could increase the total price of your funeral. For instance, many families now opt for “Celebration of Life” gatherings rather than traditional post-funeral receptions, which can vary wildly in cost depending on venue and catering. If you plan to bring relatives in from another state, for example, you'll need to think about the cost of flights and hotels.
FAQs About Funeral Costs
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Is $10,000 enough for a funeral?
$10,000 is generally enough for a funeral, but it might be tighter than you think depending on your preferences. Since the median cost for a funeral with burial is roughly $8,300 (before cemetery fees and plot), you have to budget carefully. If you opt for a cremation and relatively simple ceremony, $10,000 would likely cover the cost with plenty left over.
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What is the biggest expense of a funeral?
The casket is often the most expensive single item associated with funerals. However, you don’t have to choose the most expensive casket you find. As previously mentioned, you may be able to find caskets for as little as $2,000, or forego the cost entirely by opting for cremation (which only requires an urn for the remains).
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Federal Trade Commission. (2012). Funeral Costs and Pricing Checklist.
