Traditional Burial Services: What to Expect and How Much It Costs
Traditional burial remains the most common choice for end-of-life arrangements in the United States. This guide covers the full process, costs, and decisions involved.
What Does a Traditional Burial Include?
A full-service traditional burial typically includes:
Funeral Home Services
- Basic services fee - Covers the funeral director's expertise, staff, and overhead
- Embalming - Preservation of the body for viewing ($500-$800)
- Body preparation - Dressing, cosmetics, and casketing
- Use of facilities - For viewing, visitation, and ceremony
The Ceremony
- Visitation/viewing - Usually held 1-2 days before the funeral
- Funeral service - Religious or secular ceremony
- Graveside service - Final ceremony at the burial site
Transportation
- Transfer of remains - From place of death to funeral home
- Hearse - Transportation to cemetery
- Service vehicles - For family and flowers
Merchandise
- Casket - Ranges from $1,000 to $10,000+
- Burial vault or liner - Required by most cemeteries ($1,000-$3,000)
- Outer burial container - Protects the casket underground
How Much Does It All Cost?
The national median cost of a funeral with burial is approximately $7,848 (not including cemetery costs). Here's a typical breakdown:
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic services fee | $2,000 - $3,000 |
| Embalming | $500 - $800 |
| Viewing/visitation | $400 - $700 |
| Funeral ceremony | $400 - $700 |
| Hearse | $300 - $500 |
| Casket | $2,000 - $5,000 |
| Burial vault | $1,000 - $3,000 |
| Total funeral home | $6,600 - $13,700 |
| Cemetery plot | $1,000 - $4,000 |
| Opening/closing | $500 - $1,500 |
| Headstone/marker | $1,000 - $3,000 |
| Grand total | $9,100 - $22,200 |
Ways to Reduce Costs
- Compare prices from multiple funeral homes
- Purchase casket separately from online retailers
- Skip embalming if there's no public viewing
- Choose a simpler casket - A beautiful ceremony doesn't require an expensive casket
- Consider a graveside-only service instead of a full funeral
- Ask about package pricing vs. itemized costs
Your Rights as a Consumer
Under the FTC Funeral Rule, you have the right to:
- Buy only the services you want
- Get price information over the phone
- Use a casket or urn bought elsewhere
- Choose not to have embalming
Search our directory to compare funeral home prices in your area.