Average Funeral Cost by U.S. State

As with real estate, automobiles, food and pretty much everything else, where you are in the country impacts funeral costs. A funeral service in Montgomery, Alabama, will cost far less than the same service in Monterey, California. A funeral in New York City will almost certainly cost more than a funeral in New Mexico.

According to a 2023 report by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the national average cost of a traditional funeral with a viewing is $8,300. In comparison, in 1998 the average funeral cost was $5,020—a $3,280 difference from today. Going even further back to 1971, the average cost of a funeral was $983, which is $7,317 less than today.

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Average funeral cost by state

The NFDA figures below are the average costs of a funeral service with a burial, including embalming, casket and viewing. These costs don't include cemetery property or a monument or marker.

Alabama: $7,615
Alaska: $7,835
Arizona: $7,390
Arkansas: $7,912
California: $7,835
Colorado: $7,390
Connecticut: $8,985
Delaware: $8,023
Florida: $8,023
Georgia: $8,023
Hawaii: $7,835
Idaho: $7,390
Illinois: $8,280
Indiana: $8,280
Iowa: $8,755
Kansas: $8,755
Kentucky: $7,615
Louisiana: $7,912
Maine: $8,985
Maryland: $8,023
Massachusetts: $8,985
Michigan: $8,280
Minnesota: $8,755
Mississippi: $7,615
Missouri: $8,755

Montana: $7,390
Nebraska: $8,755
Nevada: $7,390
New Hampshire: $8,985
New Jersey: $8,573
New Mexico: $7,390
New York: $8,573
North Carolina: $8,023
North Dakota: $8,755
Ohio: $8,280
Oklahoma: $7,912
Oregon: $7,835
Pennsylvania: $8,573
Rhode Island: $8,985
South Carolina: $8,023
South Dakota: $8,755
Tennessee: $7,615
Texas: $7,912
Utah: $7,390
Vermont: $8,985
Virginia: $8,023
Washington: $7,835
West Virginia: $8,023
Wisconsin: $8,280
Wyoming: $7,390

*Within each state, costs may vary depending on location and provider.

Average Funeral Costs by US State

Breakdown of average funeral costs

According to the NFDA, the average cost of a funeral in 2023 broke down like:

Basic services fee for the funeral director and staff: $2,495
Removal/transfer of the loved one to the funeral home: $395
Embalming: $845
Preparation of the loved one: $295
Staff costs and use of the funeral home for the viewing: $475
Staff costs and use of the funeral home for the funeral: $550
Coach services: $375
Use of a service car/van: $175
Basic printed materials for the memorial: $195
Metal casket for burial: $2,500
Vault: $1,695
Total with vault: $9,995

*Costs vary by region and provider.

Regional funeral cost differences

Funeral costs vary greatly by region due to differences in cost of living, land and real estate costs, staffing costs and other factors. Venues for a memorial or celebration of life may also be more expensive in certain areas of the country.