Funeral Costs and How To Plan Ahead
Like many other expenses, funeral prices typically increase with inflation. And while prices for funeral and burial services may vary depending on several factors, they typically pose a significant expense that many families aren’t prepared to fully cover. That’s where final expense insurance and other types of coverage come in.
Whether it’s for basic burial expenses or a more robust insurance policy to help pay off your mortgage, settle debt, or provide a financial cushion, preparing to help safeguard your family from these final expenses is the best way to offer protection. Let’s explore some of the common factors that make up funeral costs and final expenses.
How much does the average funeral cost?
In 2025, the average costs for a funeral and associated services in North America range between $7,000 to $12,000. Whether you’ve planned on a basic funeral with limited services or a more elaborate ceremony and burial, you’ll find several costs associated with funeral processes.
Funeral Cost Breakdown
Keep in mind that funeral prices vary between funeral homes and areas of the country. Overall, common funeral fees include:
Funeral home service fee: $2,300
Metal casket: $2,500
Embalming services: $500-$750
Facilities and staff for a funeral ceremony: $515
Burial plot: $300-$5,000
Cremation: $1,000-$8,000
Headstone or grave marker: $1,000–$3,000
Transportation (hearse or service vehicle): $150–$500
Flowers, obituary notices, and programs: $200–$600
Additional services, such as viewings, memorial videos, or specialized keepsakes, can also add to the total cost. Planning ahead can help manage these expenses and reduce stress on loved ones.
Other Expenses to Consider
Beyond the basic funeral and burial costs, several other expenses can significantly impact the total price of laying a loved one to rest. One key factor is the type of cemetery plot. Prices can vary widely based on location within the cemetery and plot type. For example, premium plots near roads, gardens, or lakes often come at a higher cost. Alternatively, double-depth plots, where two individuals are buried in the same vertical space, can be a more economical option for couples or family members.
Another important cost is the opening and closing of the grave, which includes excavation and refilling. This service often ranges from several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the cemetery’s policies, whether it’s public or private, and even the season. These charges are usually bundled under what’s called an interment fee, which may also include administrative paperwork.
Additionally, most cemeteries require a perpetual care or endowment fee. This ensures long-term maintenance of the grounds, including landscaping, pathway repair, and general upkeep. Though often overlooked, this fee is essential to preserving the dignity of the cemetery. Always choose a cemetery that clearly explains its upkeep policies and shows signs of consistent maintenance.
The above expenses aren’t the only items to pay for, though. Consider that placing obituaries in the local paper(s) can have an additional cost, especially if they’re more complex. This also doesn’t factor in the cost of buying flowers. Additionally, if your death is preceded by a lengthy stay in the hospital or other medical treatment, those bills will come due after you’ve passed away.
How to Plan Ahead for Your Funeral
Planning ahead is often the best way to reduce the costs of your final expenses. For example, making decisions ahead of time about gravestones, cemetery plots, or mausoleums and which services will be included can reduce the amount of stress your loved ones deal with as they make your funeral services arrangements. When you’re considering your final wishes, don’t forget to include the following decisions on an end-of-life checklist and ensure everything is documented in a legal document, such as a Last Will and Testament:
Organ donation preferences
Burial or cremation
Final wishes related to cremated remains
Cemetery placement (if required)
Other services to be rendered, such as clergy, organist, music, etc.
Type of casket to be used, if applicable
Ways to Save Money on Funeral Costs
Planning a funeral can be emotionally challenging and financially overwhelming, but there are smart ways to reduce costs without compromising dignity or respect. The Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule empowers you to compare prices and only purchase the goods and services you truly want. Funeral providers must give you clear, itemized pricing, so don’t hesitate to ask.
Some cost-saving options include skipping a visitation, renting a casket, or choosing direct cremation. Cremation can significantly reduce expenses by eliminating the need for a casket, burial plot, headstone, or vault. Green burials are another budget-friendly and eco-conscious option, using biodegradable materials and skipping embalming altogether.
To put things into perspective: a traditional burial in a private cemetery with a metal casket and embalming can easily exceed $7,000. In contrast, choosing cremation or a green burial in a public cemetery could lower that cost to under $2,000, depending on your choices. If you’re concerned about leaving funeral costs to your loved ones, life insurance can provide peace of mind. At SelectQuote, we’ll help you find the right coverage to protect your family and their future.
Does life insurance help pay for a funeral?
Whether or not you plan on burial or cremation, visitation or viewing, or other services from the funeral home or mortuary, you shouldn’t make your family foot the bill on their own. By proactively purchasing life insurance today, you can help protect them from one final financial burden. In addition to paying for your final expenses, the right insurance policy can financially safeguard their future well after you’re gone.
Final Expense Insurance
Final expense insurance is intended to cover end-of-life expenses, but can also be used for things like credit card debt, medical debt, and other debt that may otherwise be passed along to your family. Final expense insurance can also be used as burial insurance to help cover funeral expenses.
Final expense life insurance costs depend on your comfort level. Some policies provide coverage starting at $1,000 but can go up to $40,000. If you’re looking for a decent starting point, remember that funerals cost $9,420 on average.
Term Life Insurance
Term life insurance protects you for a specific term, or period of time. Term life insurance typically is available in lengths of 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years. Term life insurance is also the most affordable way to purchase life insurance, often with a larger payable benefit than final expense insurance.
In addition to burial expenses, term life insurance can be used to provide a financial safety net for your loved ones. Many people consider the following when debating term life insurance coverage:
Remaining mortgage balance
College costs
Current and future salary potential
Existing debt
Potential medical expenses
Term life insurance is a flexible way to help protect your loved ones that provides peace of mind and affordable fixed premiums for the length of the term. However, you should note that term life insurance does not have a cash value. In addition, your premiums will likely increase at the conclusion of your term.
Whole Life Insurance
Unlike term life insurance, whole life insurance is permanent life insurance that does not expire. It provides a set amount of coverage for the rest of your life. Whole life insurance does offer lifetime coverage at a set premium, and it offers a cash value that you can borrow against.
Whole life insurance, however, is generally the most expensive option. Because of this, it’s not a good value for people who are older or in poor health because of the more expensive premiums.
Keep the Financial Burden from Your Loved Ones with Final Expense Insurance
When you’re considering how to help provide for your family in the aftermath of your death, life insurance should be one of your first priorities. At SelectQuote, we can help you save money by doing the hard work of comparison shopping for you. Whether you need final expense insurance or want something as robust and permanent as whole life insurance, we can compare rates and find a plan that works for you.
