Can you make payments on a funeral?

Sometimes. Some funeral homes offer installment plans, and third-party funeral loans exist. Get terms in writing, and lower the bill with a simpler arrangement before borrowing.

What is a funeral loan?

A personal loan, often arranged through a lender that partners with funeral homes, used to finance funeral costs. Compare the APR against a standard personal loan or 0% credit card.

Can funeral costs be paid from the estate?

Yes. If the estate has funds, funeral expenses are typically a priority claim in probate, and whoever paid can usually be reimbursed.

What's the cheapest way to cover a funeral?

Lower the arrangement cost first (direct cremation or immediate burial), use benefits and existing insurance, and plan ahead with savings or a small policy — all cheaper than borrowing.

Costs & affordability

Funeral Payment Plans and Financing: How to Spread the Cost

By Karl-Gustav Kallasmaa

Published June 2026

The ways to finance a funeral — funeral home plans, funeral loans, credit, and assistance — with the cheaper alternatives to consider first.

Part of How to pay for a funeral

When a funeral bill lands before the money is available, financing can bridge the gap. But borrowing should usually be the last lever, after the cheaper moves.

Try these before borrowing

Lower the bill first. The biggest savings come from the arrangement itself — a direct cremation or immediate burial costs a fraction of a full-service funeral. Compare itemized general price lists from a few providers, and estimate with the cost calculator.
Use benefits and assistance first. Social Security’s $255 payment, VA benefits for veterans, county programs, and crowdfunding — all covered in how to pay for a funeral with no money.
Use existing insurance. A life or final-expense insurance payout, or assignment of benefits, may cover it — see how to use life insurance to pay for a funeral.

Financing options, from cheapest to costliest

Funeral home payment plan. Some funeral homes let you pay in installments, occasionally interest-free for a short term. Ask directly and get terms in writing.
Funeral loans / personal loans. Lenders and some funeral homes partner on third-party funeral financing. Rates depend on credit; compare the APR against a regular personal loan.
0% intro-APR credit card. If you can repay within the promotional window, this can be cheaper than a loan — costly if you can’t.
Estate reimbursement. If the deceased’s estate has funds, whoever pays funeral costs can usually be reimbursed; funeral expenses are typically a priority claim in probate.

Planning ahead is cheaper than financing

The least expensive way to handle a funeral bill is to fund it before it’s needed — through savings, final-expense insurance (size it with the burial insurance calculator), or a preneed plan. See planning ahead and how to pay for a funeral.