How to Arrange the Funeral or Memorial

Under the FTC Funeral Rule, every funeral home in the United States must provide you with a General Price List (GPL) — an itemized list of all services and their costs — when you visit in person or ask over the phone. You are not required to purchase a package; you can select individual services. The median cost of a traditional funeral with viewing and burial is approximately $7,848, while a traditional funeral with cremation averages about $6,971. Direct cremation (with no viewing or ceremony at the funeral home) typically costs $1,000 to $3,000, and direct burial costs $1,500 to $4,000.

Call at least two or three funeral homes to compare prices before making a decision. Prices can vary by thousands of dollars in the same city for identical services. You have the legal right to purchase a casket from a third party (online retailers like Costco, Walmart, or Amazon sell caskets for $500 to $2,000, compared to $2,000 to $10,000 at funeral homes), and the funeral home must accept it without charging a handling fee. You also have the right to provide your own urn.

If cost is a serious concern, explore all options. Many religious organizations help members with funeral costs. Veterans are eligible for free burial in national cemeteries. Some unions, fraternal organizations, and employers offer death benefits that cover funeral costs. Many states have indigent burial programs for families who cannot afford any funeral costs — contact your county social services department. Crowdfunding through GoFundMe or similar platforms has become increasingly common for funeral expenses. Whatever you choose, do not feel guilty about making cost-conscious decisions — the cost of a funeral does not reflect the value of a life.