Last Updated on: September 12, 2023
Reviewed by Kyle Wilson
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.
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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:
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 |
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 |
Let’s get a review of funeral service components:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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:
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:
Senior Writer & Licensed Life Insurance Agent
Iqra is a dynamic and insightful senior writer with a passion for life insurance and financial planning. With over 8 years of hands-on experience in the insurance industry, Iqra has earned a reputation for delivering clear, actionable advice that empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their financial future. At Burial Senior Insurance, she not only excels as a licensed insurance agent but also as a trusted guide who has successfully advised over +1500 clients, helping them navigate the often complex world of life insurance and annuities. Her articles have been featured in top-tier financial publications, making her a respected voice in the industry.
Burial Senior Insurance provides information and services related to burial insurance for senior citizens, including policy options and end-of-life support services.
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