17 Mind-Boggling Funeral Cost Statistics in 2023 & Beyond
Posted in Final Expense Burial Insurance last updated on January 3, 2023
The cost of final expenses is rising and shows no sign of stopping. Luckily, you can plan ahead of time to ease the burden.
When planning for final expenses, many people have a general idea of how much they are expecting to pay. But how much is it really?
It truly depends on what you’re planning on doing, wether that’s a cremation or traditional funeral and burial. It even depends on the area of the country you live in and want to be buried in.
If you want funeral, cremation and burial statistics you’ve come to the right place.
This is an up-to-date life of funeral cost statistics in 2023.
Funeral Cost Statistics In 2023
1. The median cost of a funeral in 2022 is $7,360. (World Population Review)
2. The median cost of a funeral has risen 6.6% over the past 5 years. (NFDA)
3. California has 778 funeral homes, 272 cemeteries, and 1,200 morticians, undertakers, and funeral directors, the most of any state. (Funeral Wise)
4. The average casket costs around $2,000 with premium caskets reaching upwards of $10,000. (Bankrate)
5. Hawaii has the highest average funeral cost at $14,975. (World Population Review)
6. There are over 25,000 people employed in the funeral services industry nationwide. (Funeral Wise)
7. The median cost of a funeral with cremation has risen 11.3% over the past five years. (NFDA)
8. Mississippi has the lowest average funeral cost at $6,684. (World Population Review)
9. 63% of seniors prefer to be cremated as opposed to buried. (Seniors Mutual)
10. California has the second-highest average funeral cost at $11,777. (World Population Review)
11. The price of a vault has risen from $1,395 to $1,572, a 12.7% increase over 5 years. (NFDA)
12. There are annual sales of $17-$20 billion in the funeral industry. (Funeral Wise)
13. 42% of people plan on paying for end-of-life expenses through life insurance. (Seniors Mutual)
14. The average funeral cost in Texas is $7,103. (World Population Review)
15. Only 52% of seniors said they had a will. (Seniors Mutual)
16. The average funeral cost in Florida is $7,600. (World Population Review)
17. The national median cost of a cremation is $6,970. (NFDA)
Funeral Cost Breakdown
Here is a breakdown of average costs by the National Funeral Director’s Association. Costs will vary depending on your area.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic services fee | $2,300 |
| Transfer of remains to funeral home | $350 |
| Embalming | $775 |
| Other preparation of the body | $275 |
| Use of facilities for viewing | $450 |
| Use of facilities for funeral ceremony | $515 |
| Hearse | $350 |
| Service car/van | $150 |
| Basic memorial printed package | $183 |
| Metal casket | $2,500 |
| Median Cost of a Funeral With Viewing and Burial | $7,848 |
| Vault | $1,572 |
| Total with vault | $9,420 |
These figures do not include a plot and headstone. This is because a lot of families have family plots or have already paid for a plot in some way. If you do not have a plot and headstone, expect to add another $1000-$4000 depending on the cemetery.
Cremation Cost Breakdown
However, cremations have been increasing in cost in recent years.
The National Funeral Directors Association estimated the national median cremation cost with a viewing service to be $6,970.
Here is a breakdown of costs.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic services fee | $2,300 |
| Transfer of remains to funeral home | $350 |
| Embalming | $775 |
| Other preparation of the body | $275 |
| Use of facilities for viewing | $450 |
| Use of facilities for funeral ceremony | $515 |
| Service car/van | $150 |
| Basic memorial printed package | $183 |
| Cremation fee | $368 |
| Median Cost of a Funeral with Viewing and Cremation | $5,365 |
| Cremation Casket | $1,310 |
| Urn | $295 |
| Total Median Cost of a Funeral with Cremation Casket | $6,970 |
Also, keep in mind, all of these costs are national median prices. Prices may be higher if you live in a higher cost of living area and lower in a lower cost of living area.
Funeral Costs By State
Funeral costs vary depending on the state you live in. Here is a breakdown showing the average funeral and burial costs by state alphabetically.
| State | Price |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $6,933 |
| Alaska | $10,084 |
| Arizona | $7,530 |
| Arkansas | $6,746 |
| California | $11,777 |
| Colorado | $8,198 |
| Connecticut | $9,914 |
| Delaware | $8,392 |
| Florida | $7,600 |
| Georgia | $6,925 |
| Hawaii | $14,975 |
| Idaho | $7,165 |
| Illinois | $7,336 |
| Indiana | $6,987 |
| Iowa | $6,995 |
| Kansas | $6,909 |
| Kentucky | $7,057 |
| Louisiana | $7,290 |
| Maine | $9,122 |
| Maryland | $10,069 |
| Massachusetts | $10,216 |
| Michigan | $6,902 |
| Minnesota | $7,887 |
| Mississippi | $6,684 |
| Missouri | $6,762 |
| Montana | $8,299 |
| Nebraska | $7,049 |
| New Hampshire | $8,516 |
| New Jersey | $9,712 |
| New Mexico | $6,793 |
| Nevada | $8,423 |
| New York | $10,799 |
| North Carolina | $7,367 |
| North Dakota | $7,670 |
| Ohio | $7,049 |
| Oklahoma | $6,754 |
| Oregon | $10,418 |
| Pennsylvania | $7,895 |
| Rhode Island | $9,269 |
| South Carolina | $7,445 |
| South Dakota | $7,748 |
| Tennessee | $6,886 |
| Texas | $7,103 |
| Utah | $7,639 |
| Vermont | $8,889 |
| Virginia | $7,818 |
| Washington | $8,594 |
| West Virginia | $7,072 |
| Wisconsin | $7,554 |
| Wyoming | $6,933 |
FAQs
2 Comments
Tex Hooper
I didn't know that hearses cost around $350. I need to get a cremation service planned for my cousin. I'll have to consider getting a special urn for him.
Kelly Maxwell
Indeed, and prices can vary depending on where you live. It's important to check it out ahead of time. Thanks for reaching out!