What a funeral costs, and how to pay only for what you want

Funeral homes are required to show you their prices. Here's what to ask, what's typical, and where families often spend more than they meant to.

What's typical

National medians from 2023. Cemetery plots, opening and closing the grave, headstones, flowers, and obituary notices are usually extra.

Call two or three funeral homes. It's normal to ask these questions, and it usually takes about ten minutes each.

What's your total price for a direct cremation, with no service?
What's your total price for a direct burial, with no viewing?
What's the total for a funeral with a viewing and burial, with your least expensive casket?
Could you email me your general price list?
Is there anything that isn't included in those totals?

Any funeral home must tell you its prices over the phone if you ask.
In person, they must give you an itemized general price list to keep, before you talk about arrangements.
You can buy only the goods and services you want. They can't require a package.
Embalming usually isn't required by law, and they need your permission to do it.
You can bring your own casket or urn, bought anywhere, and they can't charge you a fee for using it.
Before you pay, you get a written statement of everything you chose and its price.

Compare totals from two or three funeral homes. Prices in the same town can differ by thousands.
Direct cremation or direct burial skips the viewing and costs much less. You can still hold a memorial later, anywhere.
Say no to embalming if you don't need a public viewing.
Buy the casket or urn elsewhere, or use one you already have.
Take your time. You don't have to decide everything in the first call.

This is general information, not legal or financial advice.