How Much Does a Funeral Cost in Washington: 2023 Update

The average funeral cost has been increasing steadily since the 1980’s. Today, the average cost of a funeral is up to $9,000 and that’s common. However, this cost can fluctuate depending on whether the body is buried or cremated.

This funeral cost includes viewing, burial, transport, casket, service fee, embalming, and different other preparations involved in end-life ceremonies. The funeral cost along with cremation is about $6,000 to $7,000. However, it doesn’t include a cemetery, marker, monument or other accessories like flowers.

Cost of Funeral Expenses in Washington

The cost of funeral expenses depends on various factors including age, health, gender, occupation, and other daily activities. Here is a quick estimate of funeral costs for you by county and service:

Average Funeral Costs by County in Washington

County	Average Funeral Cost
Benton County, WA	$7,219
Clark County, WA	$5,388
Cowlitz County, WA	$6,527
Grays Harbor County, WA	$4,122
Island County, WA	$7,169
Jefferson County, WA	$5,745
King County, WA	$5,993
Kitsap County, WA	$6,011
Kittitas County, WA	$8,119
Lewis County, WA	$6,781
Mason County, WA	$3,825
Pierce County, WA	$6,730
San Juan County, WA	$8,230
Skagit County, WA	$6,990
Snohomish County, WA	$6,333
Spokane County, WA	$6,742
Thurston County, WA	$6,054
Whatcom County, WA	$7,536
Yakima County, WA	$7,481

Funeral Cost by Service in Washington

Services	Average Cost
Basic Services	$1,541
Viewing and Visitation	$257
Funeral Ceremony	$560
Transport of Remains	$376
Embalming	$642
Graveside Service	$247
Direct Cremation	$1,366
Direct Burial	$916

Average Cost of Funeral Service Elements in Washington

Let’s get a review of funeral service components:

1- Traditional Burial Service

It includes a funeral home basic service fee, embalming and taking care of the body, a visitation before the funeral, a funeral service at church or funeral home chapel, a funeral procession to the grave site and a committal service before burial. Moreover, the average cost of a casket is also included in this service.

2- Full Cremation Service

It includes a visitation before the funeral and a service at church or funeral home chapel. This service also includes basic cremation services like the removal of the body from the place of death and transfer to the crematory and other cremation services. The average cremation casket’s cost is also included in full cremation services. However, an urn is to be purchased separately or the ashes will be returned to the family in a cardboard box.

3- Reasonable Burial

Reasonable burial also known as immediate or direct burial is burying the deceased without embalming, viewing, or any other service. It includes some basic services fees and transportation of the body from the death place to the cemetery. The basic casket cost is included in this service too.

4- Direct Cremation

It includes removal of the body from the death plane, transfer to the crematory, and cremation services. The average cost of an alternative cremation container is also included in direct cremation. Unless you provide an urn that has been bought separately, the ashes will be returned to the family in a cardboard box.

Know your Funeral Rights from Start

With age, it’s natural to think or plan about your final arrangements. However, one important thing in making these arrangements is ensuring that you understand and have made preparations for your funeral expenses.

Before you start, it’s imperative to know that you have some particular rights when it comes to funerals. The FTC introduced the “Funeral Rule” in 1984 to prevent funeral homes from pressuring people into buying goods they don’t want to purchase. It also protects people from being overcharged for the items and services they want.

The Funeral Rule provides you the right to:

Buy the goods and services you want.
Be offered pricing details via phone.
See the list of casket prices.
Choose an alternative container for cremation.
Provide your casket or urn.
Exclude embalming before a funeral.
Be provided with a written statement before making payments.

Average Funeral Cost with Cremation

The NFDA (National Funeral Directors Association) estimates that the average funeral expenses with cremation may cost about $7,000. However, cremation services may range from $1,000 to $3,000 on the low end but also cost you as much as $8,000 based on the options you choose.

Average Funeral Expense Cost with Burial Expenses

According to NFDA, the average or median cost of a funeral with burial services is about $9,420. Meanwhile, this cost doesn’t include a burial plot or accessories like flowers or transportation. Based on your selected funeral home and funeral products, the cost might be slightly higher. That’s why shopping around while getting funeral expense insurance is so important.

However, with proper planning and guidance, you can minimize the stress and financial responsibilities of your loved ones in case you die. A lot of people are interested in making plans and covering their end-life expenses in advance, not only to relieve their loved ones left behind but also to ensure that their final wishes will be taken care of.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1- Do Life insurance plans cover funeral costs?

Any life insurance plan can be used to cover the funeral costs of the policyholder. A life insurance policy is one of the most significant and trustworthy ways to cover the cost of final expenses. However, final expense insurance is particularly designed to help you cover any end-of-life expenses like burial costs, medical bills, or outstanding debts.

2- What are the different types of funerals?

Funerals are just as unique as the needs, preferences, or demands of a person could be. They can be different depending on culture, religious beliefs, race, or financial situation. Various types of funerals are:

Low-cost or low income funeral (direct burial or direct cremation)
Horse and carriage funeral
Green funeral
Military funeral

3- How to finance a funeral?

Funerals are getting very expensive day by day. So it’s important to plan well before time so that you can afford the cost. Here are some options for you to finance a funeral:

Life insurance or final expense insurance
Personal savings
Prepaid funeral plans
Credit cards or loans