Traditional Burial Services: What to Expect and How Much It Costs
A comprehensive guide to traditional burial services, including costs, what's included, and how to plan a meaningful ceremony.
Planning in the United States2 min read
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.