How Much Does a Funeral Cost in the US?
Last reviewed 2026-11-01
Short answer: The NFDA 2024 General Price List study put the national median at about $8,300 for a funeral with viewing and burial and about $6,280 for a funeral with cremation and a service. Cemetery plot, headstone, flowers and obituary notices are often extra.
What a typical funeral price includes
- Basic services fee of the funeral director and staff (non-declinable).
- Transport of the person's body, embalming if chosen, and preparation.
- Use of the facility for viewing, ceremony or visitation.
- Casket or alternative container, and hearse or other vehicles.
Costs that are often separate
- Cemetery plot or niche, opening and closing fees, and vault or liner.
- Headstone or marker.
- Flowers, printed programs, obituary notices, and clergy or celebrant honoraria.
- Certified death certificates and any medical examiner or permit fees.
Ways to manage the total
Ask every provider for the itemized General Price List and compare like for like. You may buy a casket elsewhere and the provider cannot charge a handling fee for it. Choose only the services you want; except for the basic services fee, you can decline items.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of a funeral with burial?
The NFDA 2024 General Price List study reports a national median of about $8,300 for a funeral with viewing and burial, before some cemetery and third-party costs.
Why do funeral prices vary so much?
Location, service choices, casket selection, facility use and cemetery fees all change the total. Always compare itemized price lists.
Can I get prices over the phone?
Yes. The FTC Funeral Rule requires funeral providers to give accurate price information by phone.