While you may already know that planning a funeral can take a mental and emotional toll, you may be surprised to learn that it can also take a hefty financial one as well, since the average funeral costs between $7,000 and $12,000 as of 2024.
While those expenses generally include a casket, preparation of the remains, and a headstone, there can also be some hidden fees that you may not realize you need to cover.
Since unexpected expenses can add undue stress, making these smart money moves now can help you cover the costs so that your loved ones don’t need to pay them out of pocket when the time comes.
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1. Cemetery plot
If you want to be interred in a cemetery, you should consider selecting a site as early as possible, especially if you’d prefer to be buried next to a spouse or parent.
Costs will vary based on your location as well as the plot’s location in the cemetery, but you should expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000.
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When you purchase a cemetery plot, you’re only purchasing the patch of land. The work that goes into opening (digging and excavating) and closing (filling) the plot can come along with its own fees.
Depending on the cemetery itself and the cost of living where you live, gravesite fees can range from $1,500 to $2,500. The good news is that you can typically expect to pay less if you’re entombing an urn of ashes rather than a casket.
3. Vaults and grave liners
Most cemeteries place a steel or concrete liner into the ground before a casket or urn is lowered to ensure that the ground remains stable. Vaults serve the same function, but they offer more protection for the casket itself and are typically sealed and secured.
If your cemetery requires you to purchase a grave liner or if you want to opt into purchasing one yourself, it will cost between $700 and $1,000. Vaults, on the other hand, are more expensive, and they can cost anywhere from $900 to $13,000.
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4. Installing a headstone
The cost of your headstone is just one of the expenses you’ll pay when purchasing your grave marker, as many companies also charge a fee to have the headstone installed at the gravesite.
The ultimate cost depends on several factors, including the headstone’s size, the material it was made out of, and whether it’s installed vertically or horizontally. That being said, you should budget between $150 and $300 for the added service.
5. Cemetery maintenance and upkeep
Most — though not all — cemeteries charge a fee for the ongoing cost of maintaining the cemetery grounds. This is typically referred to as a “perpetual care” charge, and it applies to general cemetery maintenance rather than the maintenance of a specific plot.
States have laws governing how much cemeteries can charge for perpetual care. In some states, cemeteries have to put aside between 5% and 30% of the total cost of a plot for perpetual care.
In others, you’ll be charged a flat rate as a one-time fee or an ongoing annual charge.
6. Individual gravesite upkeep
If you’d like the cemetery to maintain your individual gravesite rather than leaving maintenance to you or your family members, the cemetery will likely charge you an additional fee. Some also let you opt-in to flower delivery on certain holidays for an extra cost.
To find out how it works, you can check with the cemetery and inquire about these costs as well as expectations for who will care for the individual gravesite.
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A person’s remains will likely need to be moved multiple times, such as from the home or hospital to the funeral home, and then from the funeral home to the internment site.
Be sure to check in with your funeral home about which transportation costs they cover as it’s possible that you’ll have to pay out of pocket for a hearse to transport your remains during the funeral procession.
8. Obituaries
The price of publishing a death notice can vary since different papers charge different rates, and costs may be higher if you want to have a photo included in the paper. Depending on the publication and length, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $800.
If you’re looking for a more affordable alternative, you may want to ask the funeral home if they’ll give you the option of hosting an obituary on their website, either for free or at a lower cost.
You can also consider writing an obituary that will be published solely on social media, which won’t cost you anything.
9. Legal fees
You’ll also need to order multiple copies of the death certificate that you can provide to creditors, life insurance companies, government and tax entities, and other groups. The cost to order a death certificate varies by state, but expect to pay between $6 and $30 per copy.
Then there’s the cost of actually settling your estate, which can come along with surprising costs like attorney fees and court costs if your estate goes into probate.
If you want to offset the potential financial burden associated with these tasks you should ask your attorney for an estimate and then set some money aside to cover these costs for your loved ones.
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Bottom line
No matter the circumstances, planning a funeral is often a painful, heavy burden.
Knowing the expenses ahead of time, making extra money to cover the expense, and budgeting as early as possible can ensure that everything is taken care of the way you want it to be and help make things easier for your friends and family after you’re gone.
If you have questions about the possible financial obligations facing your nearest and dearest, you should consider consulting a financial planner.
Money tips that can work for everyone
No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.
Focus on paying off your debt. Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.
Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.
Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).
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