How Much Does a Celebration of Life Cost?
A celebration of life is a beautiful way to honor the memory of a loved one. It’s an event focused on sharing and celebrating a loved one’s legacy. More uplifting than a traditional funeral, it may also be more casual, and it may be held weeks or even months after a loved one has passed.
A celebration of life highlights a loved one’s unique personality, passions, gifts and accomplishments. The cost of a celebration of life depends on a range of factors, including the location, the number of guests and the personal touches that give the event its meaning.
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Our Guide to Understanding Funeral & Cremation Costs helps you decode the sometimes confusing costs of final arrangements.
The average cost of a celebration of life
Celebration of life costs can differ depending on the type of celebration. Your preferences have the biggest impact on a celebration of life budget.
For example, a small memorial in a public park, where family and friends share in a thoughtful, commemorative and joyful gathering, can cost next to nothing. Conversely, a large memorial in a fancy restaurant or country club may cost thousands.
A simple cremation scattering celebration at a pond on a family's property requires very little expense. A simple cremation scattering celebration at sea could mean, at the very least, hiring a boat and a captain.
You might choose to host the event in a private home or backyard and ask family and friends to provide delicious potluck dishes. Or you could partner with a funeral provider to create a celebratory space at the funeral home with decor, catering services and music.
Whether your budget is modest or grand, you can create an impactful and beautiful celebration of life. Each step of event planning is an opportunity to consider both what you hope to achieve and what you’re able to spend. It’s all up to you.
Personalized services that never cost extra
When you plan with a Dignity Memorial® provider, you don’t have to stress about creating a personalized celebration of life for your loved one—that’s our honor and our specialty. Every family who entrusts us with their loved one’s service gets a personalized service at no additional cost. That includes:
- A playlist of music meaningful to the family and that highlights the uniqueness of the loved one being honored.
- A display of personal items and photos that speak to a loved one’s life, passions and special moments to tell a unique story.
- A well-crafted message presented by a celebrant, clergy or officiant that reflects your family’s traditions, faith and needs.
Celebration of life with burial: cost breakdown
According to research from the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the median cost of a funeral preceded by a viewing and followed by a burial was $8,300 in 2023.
This cost breakdown includes:
- Transportation of the loved one to the funeral provider
- Use of a transportation vehicle (coach)
- Embalming, as well as hair and makeup
- A metal casket
- The time and labor of the funeral director and their staff
- Use of the funeral home, including reception area, visitation room, chapel and more
- Required permits and certificates
- Basic printed materials, which may include a registry book and a funeral program
These costs may vary depending on your location and your choices. They don’t include cemetery property or fees associated with a burial or entombment. They also don't include charges for many elements common to celebrations of life, such as flowers, catering, decor and a celebrant. Those items can increase the total cost by hundreds of dollars.
Celebration of life cost with cremation: cost breakdown
Families who choose cremation very often host celebrations of life in honor of their loved ones. According to NFDA research, the median cost of a cremation preceded by a viewing and followed by a funeral was $6,280 in 2023.
This cost breakdown includes:
- Transportation of the loved one to the funeral provider
- Use of a transportation vehicle (coach)
- Embalming, as well as hair and makeup
- The time and labor of the funeral director and their staff
- Use of the funeral home, including reception area, visitation room, chapel and more
- All required permits and certificates
- Basic printed materials
- Cremation container
- Urn
These costs may vary depending on your location and your choices. Most families who choose cremation do not choose embalming services or a funeral coach. Families often don’t purchase cemetery property. For those families, the cost of cremation is lower. These costs don't include charges for many elements common to celebrations of life, such as flowers, catering, decor and a celebrant. Those items can increase the total cost by hundreds of dollars.
Special touches that can impact celebration of life costs
Of families who plan with a Dignity Memorial provider, 81% believe a service customized to the individual is more meaningful.
When planning a celebration of life, you may wish to add special touches to help personalize or beautify the space and the experience for guests. These extras will factor into the total celebration of life cost and may include:
- An alternative venue, such as a temple, church, banquet hall or restaurant
- A clergyperson or funeral celebrant
- Floral arrangements
- Musicians, such as a quartet, a singer or a DJ
- Food and beverages
- Transportation for guests
- Printing of photographs of your loved one
- Photography or videography to document the event
- Creation of a slideshow or other memorial presentation
- Special caskets and urns
- Cremation jewelry or other keepsakes
- Special celebration of life ceremonies, such as a release of doves or butterflies
- Printing an obituary in a newspaper
Help with celebration of life expenses
To assist with managing memorial service costs, you may wish to pre-plan your celebration of life. There are many advantages to pre-planning for both you and your family.
Planning a celebration of life ahead of time means:
Less stress for your loved ones. Planning ahead helps alleviate some of the stress of grief. After losing a loved one, shock and grief can be compounded by the work of organizing a memorial or celebration of life. When you pre-plan, you make all your own choices and share your wishes, so your family doesn't have to make decisions during an already stressful time.
Reduced financial burden. When you pre-plan your celebration of life, you choose the products and services you want, lock in prices on many items and fund your choices. That way, your family doesn't have to worry about money while they are grieving your death.
Peace of mind for you and your loved ones. Many enjoy the relief and security that comes from planning their own celebration of life. When you plan and fund your final wishes, you know you will be honored according to your vision and the people closest to you don't have to wonder what you would have wanted.
You can pay in installments. When you pre-plan your celebration of life, you can pay in one lump sum or over time. Many find paying in installments makes expenses easier to manage.
Your family and friends can focus on celebrating you. By pre-planning, you give your loved ones the gift of being able to celebrate your life, be present with guests and remember the value you brought to the world—free from the stress of arranging and financing your memorial.
What does it mean to be fully planned?
When you're making plans, think holistically about what you want. A complete plan includes choosing burial, cremation or an alternative option; purchasing cemetery property if you want a permanent memorialization; choosing a marker or monument; setting aside money for opening and closing fees; and outlining the kind of service you'd prefer.
What affects funeral and cremation costs?
There are hundreds of decisions that must be made when planning a funeral, cremation or memorial service, and making funeral arrangements can often seem confusing or overwhelming. Because there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to planning a funeral or memorial service, there are different costs and expenses to consider. Learn what to expect and get your free Guide to Understanding Funeral and Cremation Costs today.