How to Save Money on Funeral Costs (Without Cutting Corners)

Before you can save on funeral costs, it helps to understand where the money goes. According to the NFDA 2023 General Price List Study, the national median cost for a funeral with burial and vault is $7,848 — and that figure does not include the cemetery plot, headstone, or flowers.

Here is a typical breakdown of a traditional funeral:

• Basic services of the funeral director: $2,300 (this is a non-declinable fee)
• Embalming: $775
• Viewing and visitation: $450
• Funeral ceremony: $500
• Transfer of remains: $350
• Casket: $2,500 (median)
• Burial vault: $1,695

Add in a cemetery plot ($1,425 median), headstone ($1,000-$3,000), flowers ($200-$500), and other incidentals, and the total can easily reach $10,000-$15,000 or more.

The good news is that nearly every line item on this list is optional (except the basic services fee), and there are legitimate ways to reduce costs on each one without compromising the dignity of the service.

The casket is typically the single most expensive item in a funeral, and it is also where you have the most potential for savings. Under the FTC Funeral Rule, you have the legal right to purchase a casket from any retailer — including online stores — and funeral homes must accept it with no additional handling fee.

Online casket retailers sell comparable products for 50-85% less than funeral home prices. A casket that costs $2,500 at a funeral home may be available for $799-$1,200 from an online retailer, often from the same manufacturer.

Reputable online casket retailers offer overnight or next-day shipping nationwide and will deliver directly to the funeral home. Most also offer customer support to help you choose the right casket and coordinate delivery.

The FTC Funeral Rule requires every funeral home to provide a written General Price List (GPL) to anyone who asks — in person, by phone, or by email. This list must itemize every product and service the funeral home offers, along with its price.

Take advantage of this right by requesting GPLs from at least three funeral homes in your area. You may be surprised at how much prices vary for the same services. Studies have found that prices for comparable services can vary by 200-300% between funeral homes in the same city.

When comparing GPLs, pay attention to:

• The basic services fee: This non-declinable fee varies significantly between providers
• Casket prices: Compare these to online prices for perspective
• Package vs. itemized pricing: Some funeral homes offer packages that may include services you do not need. Itemizing can save money
• Hidden fees: Look for charges labeled as "facilities fees," "overhead," or similar vague terms

Direct cremation is the simplest and most affordable form of disposition. It includes only the essential services: transportation of the body, the cremation process, and return of the remains to the family. There is no viewing, no embalming, no ceremony at the funeral home, and no casket purchase required.

The national median cost for direct cremation is $2,325 (NFDA 2023), compared to $7,848 for a full burial with vault. That is a savings of more than $5,000.

Choosing direct cremation does not mean you cannot have a memorial service. Many families hold a celebration of life at a later date — at home, at a park, at a house of worship, or at any meaningful location. This can be as simple or as elaborate as you wish, and it gives you time to plan without the pressure of an immediate timeline.

Many funeral homes present their services in packages that bundle items together. While some packages offer good value, others may include services your family does not need or want. Under the FTC Funeral Rule, you have the right to choose individual items and services rather than accepting a package.

Services you may be able to decline or reduce:

• Embalming: Not legally required in any state for direct cremation or immediate burial. Refrigeration is a less expensive alternative if there will be a brief delay before the service.
• Viewing and visitation: While meaningful for many families, this is an optional service that adds $450+ to the total cost.
• Limousine and hearse: Some families use personal vehicles instead. If the cemetery is nearby, this is a practical option.
• Burial vault: While many cemeteries require a vault or grave liner, some do not. If you are considering a green burial or a cemetery that does not require a vault, this is a $1,695 savings.
• Premium casket features: Features like adjustable mattresses, locking mechanisms, and elaborate hardware add cost without serving any practical purpose.

If the deceased is a veteran, their surviving family may be eligible for significant burial benefits through the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These benefits can substantially offset funeral costs.

VA burial benefits include:

• Burial allowance: Up to $2,000 for service-related deaths; $893 for non-service-related deaths (for veterans receiving VA pension or disability benefits)
• Plot allowance: $893 for burial in a private cemetery
• National cemetery burial: Free burial in any VA national cemetery, including the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, a government headstone or marker, and a burial flag — at no cost to the family
• Presidential Memorial Certificate: A free certificate signed by the President, available to the family of any honorably discharged veteran
• Headstone or marker: The VA provides a free government headstone or marker for any deceased veteran, including those buried in private cemeteries

To apply for VA burial benefits, you will need the veteran's DD-214 discharge papers and a certified copy of the death certificate. Contact the VA at 1-800-827-1000 or visit va.gov/burials-memorials.

Pre-planning a funeral — even without pre-paying for it — can save your family thousands of dollars by removing the pressure to make expensive decisions during an emotionally devastating time. Studies consistently show that families who pre-plan spend less than those who plan at the time of need.

Pre-planning allows you to:

• Research and compare prices without time pressure
• Communicate your wishes to your family, reducing disagreements and guilt-driven overspending
• Identify cost-saving opportunities you might miss under emotional stress
• Choose a funeral home based on value rather than proximity to the hospital

You do not need to pre-pay to pre-plan. Simply documenting your wishes — the type of service, disposition method, casket preferences, and an approximate budget — gives your family clear guidance and permission to be financially responsible.

If you do choose to pre-pay, research the provider carefully. Ensure the funds are held in a trust or insurance policy that your family can access, and understand what happens if the funeral home closes or you move to a different area.

Here are additional strategies that can help reduce funeral costs:

• Provide your own flowers: Funeral home flower arrangements are often marked up significantly. Consider ordering directly from a local florist or an online flower delivery service.
• Write and print your own programs: Many families save $200-$400 by designing and printing funeral programs, prayer cards, and thank-you notes at home or at a local print shop.
• Use a nonprofit funeral home: Some communities have nonprofit memorial societies or cooperative funeral homes that offer significantly lower prices.
• Consider a home funeral: Legal in most states, home funerals allow families to care for their loved one at home, eliminating many funeral home fees. Contact the National Home Funeral Alliance for guidance.
• Ask about discounts: Some funeral homes offer discounts for cash payment, military families, or members of certain organizations. It does not hurt to ask.
• Crowdfunding: Platforms like GoFundMe and GiveSendGo are commonly used to help families cover funeral costs. There is no shame in asking your community for help during a difficult time.