How Much Does the Average Funeral Cost in 2024?

Losing a loved one is a challenging experience that brings sadness and grief.

Amid emotional pain, the practicalities of funeral arrangements, such as associated costs, can add a layer of stress. 

In the United States, funerals with viewing, ceremony, and burial or cremation cost thousands of dollars.

The family members need to cover these costs if the deceased has no life insurance policy, final expense insurance, or savings.

Do you want to know how much does the average funeral cost in 2024?

The answer to this and smart ways to pay these expenses are coming right up. 

Key Statistics

• The average funeral cost with burial is nearly $8,000, while the average cost with cremation is around $7,000.
• States in West North Central Region offer the highest median burial cost, amounting to $8,500.
• The median cremation cost in the states in Mountain Region is $5,694.
• The average burial cost in the United Kingdom is more than £4,000, while the average cremation cost is around £3,000.
• The cost of a simple burial in London is approximately £7,000, while a simple cremation is more than £3,000.
• The average cost of a funeral service is $2,300.
• A funeral plot in a public cemetery is around $1,500.
• Final Expense Insurance and Life Insurance can relieve the burden on our loved ones during the most difficult time.

How Much Does the Average Funeral Cost in 2024?

Funeral arrangements can be expensive, and financial obligations can intensify emotional distress.

According to the recent report of the National Funeral Directors Association, the average funeral cost with viewing and burial is around $7,848, up by 6.6% from 2016.

Meanwhile, the average funeral cost with viewing and cremation is $6,970, up by 11.3% from 2016.

Prepare for at Least $10,000, Experts Say

These average funeral costs vary depending on the preferred services, location, and additional expenses.

These do not include catering for guests and families, an honorarium for a priest or pastor, special clothing, and other expenses. 

To cover all these, experts recommend preparing $10,000.

This is why many funeral insurance policies have a $10,000 benefit.

Median Adult Funeral Cost with Viewing and Burial by Region

The median adult funeral cost with viewing, ceremony, and burial differs per region.

West North Central Region, which includes North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas,  Missouri, and Nebraska, offers the highest median burial cost of $8,500.

While the Mountain Region, such as Arizona, Nevada, Montana, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming, offers the lowest median burial cost of $6,888.

Let’s take a look at the median adult funeral cost with viewing, ceremony, and burial by region:

• New England – $7,881
• Middle Atlantic – $8,093
• South Atlantic – $7,800
• East South Central – $7,271
• West South Central – $7,334
• East North Central – $7,868
• West North Central – $8,500
• Mountain – $6,888
• Pacific Coast – $7,225

Median Adult Funeral Cost with Viewing and Cremation by Region

Similar to the median burial cost, the regions with the highest and the lowest median adult funeral cost with viewing and cremation are the West North Central Region and Mountain Region.

The median cremation cost in the West North Central Region is $7,560, while the median cremation cost in the Mountain Region is $5,694.

Here are the median adult funeral cost with viewing and cremation by region:

• New England – $7,069
• Middle Atlantic – $7,463
• South Atlantic – $7,070
• East South Central – $6,314
• West South Central – $6,405
• East North Central – $6,953
• West North Central – $7,560
• Mountain – $5,694
• Pacific Coast – $6,028

Average Burial and Cremation Cost in the UK

Data shows that the average burial cost using a funeral director in the United Kingdom is £4,383, while the average cremation cost using a funeral director is £3,290.

These costs vary depending on the location. 

London has the highest cost for a simple burial in the English region and UK nations, amounting to £7,259, and West Midlands has the highest cost for a simple cremation, amounting to £3,363.

Meanwhile, Belfast offers the lowest cost for burial and cremation, at £3,061 and £2,863.

Cost of Simple Burial and Cremation in English Regions and UK Nations

Below are the costs of a simple burial and cremation in some English regions and UK nations:

• The cost of a simple burial in London is £7,259, while a simple cremation is £3,272.
• The cost of a simple burial in Wales is £4,149, while a simple cremation is £3,189.
• The cost of a simple burial in South West England and East of England is £4,857, while a simple cremation is £3,351.
• The cost of a simple burial in Scotland is £4,030, while a simple cremation is £3,160.
• The cost of a simple burial in Belfast is £3,061, while a simple cremation is £2,863.

Breakdown of Funeral Expenses

Funeral expenses include various costs associated with conducting and arranging a funeral.

Here are the components of funeral expenses with the average prices:

• Funeral service is $2,300
• Embalming is $775
• Cosmetic service is $275
• A metal casket is $2,500
• A wood casket is $3,000
• An urn is $295
• Cremation is $368
• The funeral facility for viewing is $450
• The funeral facility for the ceremony is $515

Other Funeral Expenses

• Transfer of remains to the funeral home is $350
• Flowers are $600
• Wreath is $150
• Printed materials are $183
• A hearse is $325
• A service vehicle is $150
• A vault is $1,572
• A funeral plot in a public cemetery is $1,500
• A funeral plot in a private cemetery is $3,500
• A flat headstone is $1,000
• A raised headstone is $3,500

Ways to Pay the Funeral Expenses

Death is an inevitable and unpredictable part of life.

Some people have sufficient savings to cover funeral expenses, while others have life and funeral insurance.

Below are ways to pay the funeral expenses:

• Pre-need Funeral Insurance or Final Expense Insurance
• Payable on death account or Totten Trusts
• Life insurance policy
• Funeral trusts
• Savings account
• Military burial benefits (for military members)

Government Assistance to Pay the Funeral Expenses

Pre-planning for this kind of event can help lighten the pain for the family.

Planning our own funeral arrangements in advance and availing life and final expense insurance can relieve the burden on our loved ones during an emotionally challenging time.

However, some people have not considered pre-planning for their funeral, and their families cannot afford the expenses.

Here are some of the government assistance programs to pay funeral expenses:

• Federal Emergency Management Agency offers funeral assistance from a declared emergency or disaster
• Crime victim compensation program
• State government assistance
• Veteran benefits
• Funeral loan or Personal loan

Conclusion

Funeral costs are an important consideration when dealing with your own death or the death of a loved one.

These costs can vary based on the type of service, burial or cremation, location, funeral package, and additional services.

Arranging a funeral can cause stress and financial burden in addition to dealing with grief and loss. 

Considering how much the average funeral cost can help you pre-plan.

Based on the latest report, the average funeral cost with viewing and burial is nearly $8,000, while the average cost with cremation is almost $7,000.

Sources

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