Title: The Cost Of Funerals, Death, and Dying
Headings: The Cost Of Funerals, Death, and Dying
The Cost Of Funerals, Death, and Dying
The Truth: Funerals Are Expensive
Traditional Burial vs. Cremation
Here’s what typically happens when a family can’t really afford a funeral:
The Gift of Planning Ahead
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Holly Johnson

Content: Funerals Are Expensive
According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the median cost for a traditional funeral in the United States was around $7,045 in 2012 (This includes basic services of the funeral home, embalming, visitation, a funeral service, hearse and car rental, and a basic metal casket). As you can see, the cost of a traditional burial has been rising faster than inflation for many years: *National Funeral Director’s Association, Trends and Statistics, 2013
And keep in mind, the cost of an average funeral doesn’t include cemetery expenses such as burial space, a burial vault, the opening and closing of a grave, or a headstone. When accounting for those expenses, the average cost for a traditional funeral rises dramatically, usually to somewhere between $9,000 and $12,000. I’ve even seen hundreds of families spend upwards of $15,000 or more over the years. Funerals are just like anything else; there are plenty of ways to save if you choose an inexpensive casket, vault, or service package. Likewise, there are plenty of ways to splurge, especially if you prefer higher quality materials. Traditional Burial vs. Cremation
One way many families keep costs down is to choose cremation instead of traditional burial. The price tag for a cremation varies due to regional influences and other factors, but the average cost was around $3,000 in 2012.