How much does a funeral cost in the United States?

The average funeral with burial costs between $7,000 and $12,000. Cremation with a service typically costs $3,000 to $6,000. Direct cremation with no service can cost as little as $1,000 to $3,000.

What is funeral pre-planning?

Funeral pre-planning means documenting your end-of-life wishes before they are needed. This includes choosing burial or cremation, selecting a funeral home, and organizing important documents so your family has clear guidance.

Can I buy a casket without going through a funeral home?

Yes. Under the FTC Funeral Rule, funeral homes must accept caskets purchased from any source including online retailers. You are not required to buy a casket from the funeral home.

Is embalming required by law?

Embalming is not required by law in most circumstances. Funeral homes cannot claim it is legally required or charge for unauthorized embalming.

What should I do first when someone dies?

First, contact a doctor or hospice to confirm the death. Then notify immediate family before posting on social media. Contact a funeral home to arrange transportation. Locate the will to determine who has legal authority. Request 10 to 15 certified copies of the death certificate.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the questions families ask most often, in plain language.

Common Questions About Funerals

Plain-language answers to the questions families ask most.

Essential Questions

The most important things to know before you start.

All Frequently Asked Questions

Browse all questions by topic, or scroll through the full list.

Pre-Planning Guide (Before Death)

Planning & Legal

Pre-Checklist (Minimum Preparation)

Person in Charge (Critical Section)

After-Death Plan (What Happens Next)

After-Death Checklist (Execution)

Money, Bills, and Debt

Bank Accounts, Phone, and Digital Access

Property, Car, and Personal Belongings

Funeral Choices and Costs

Planning Without a Will or Trust

Trusts and Preplanning Decisions

When Someone Has Died

Getting Organized the Simple Way

How Everlasting Funeral Advisors Can Help

Choosing a Person in Charge

Social Security and Medicaid

Travel Protection

Avoiding Probate

Healthcare Decisions

Every situation is different. Small steps taken early can reduce stress later.

This information is provided for educational purposes only. Everlasting Funeral Advisors does not provide legal advice.

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Frequently Asked Questions

💬Common Questions About Funerals

How much does a funeral cost in the United States?

What is funeral pre-planning and why does it matter?

Can I buy a casket without going through a funeral home?

Is embalming legally required?

What should I do first when someone dies?

What is the FTC Funeral Rule?

How do I choose between cremation and burial?

What documents should I have in place before I die?

❓Essential Questions

Do I need to complete everything at once?

Is this a legal document?

Does this replace a will or lawyer?

Do you store my legal documents?

Can my family see this?

Do I have to buy funeral products here?

Where can I print a form if I don't want to use the app?

What if I don't know the answer yet?

What happens if I change my mind?

All Frequently Asked Questions

📋Pre-Planning Guide (Before Death)

Why should I plan ahead?

What is the first decision I should make?

Do I want a service or memorial?

Where should I keep my plan?

What else can I include in my plan?

How do I get started?

Where can I print a form if I don't want to use the app?

Can I print a form without using the app?

⚖️Planning & Legal

Are home funerals still allowed?

Why are funeral laws changing?

Will funeral costs go up?

How can I protect myself from higher costs?

✅Pre-Checklist (Minimum Preparation)

Have I assigned a person in charge?

Have I named a backup person?

Have I located my DD-214 (military discharge papers)?

Have I added POD beneficiaries to my bank accounts?

Have I listed my insurance policies and key accounts?

Quick checklist summary

👤Person in Charge (Critical Section)

Why is assigning a person in charge so important?

Who should I choose as my primary person?

Why do I need a backup person?

What information should I collect for each person?

Is this the same as a legal executor?

What if my person in charge lives far away?

Do I need to tell the people I select?

Person in Charge checklist

🕊️After-Death Plan (What Happens Next)

What happens immediately after someone passes away?

What does the person in charge do?

What documents and instructions will be needed?

What benefits and payments need to be reported?

How does having a plan make this easier?

What if there is no plan in place?

What should I do right now to prepare?

📋After-Death Checklist (Execution)

First 24–48 hours: What do I need to do?

How is death legally confirmed?

Who should I notify first?

What documents should I locate right away?

How do I secure the home and personal property?

When should I notify benefits and insurance?

Are there survivor benefits I should apply for?

After-Death Checklist summary

💵Money, Bills, and Debt

What happens to my debt when I die?

What happens to my medical bills?

Will my family have to pay my debt?

What if there is no money in my estate?

Can creditors take my house or car?

What happens to my credit cards?

What if my family keeps getting collection calls?

📱Bank Accounts, Phone, and Digital Access

Will my family be able to access my bank accounts?

What happens if my accounts are frozen?

What happens to my phone and phone number?