How to pay for a funeral

A funeral is one of the largest expenses many families face with almost no warning. The good news is that there are several ways to cover it, and they can be combined. Start by deciding how simple a service you need — that single choice moves the cost more than anything else — then work through the sources below.

Lower the cost first

The cheapest funding is the money you don't have to spend. A direct cremation or an immediate burial removes the most expensive lines — embalming, a viewing, an elaborate casket, a vault — and you can still hold a meaningful memorial later. Our cost breakdown shows exactly which charges you can decline.

Money you set aside

• Savings.A dedicated, payable-on-death account earmarked for funeral costs is the simplest, most flexible option, and it avoids paying anyone else's fees.
• Final-expense (burial) insurance. A small whole-life policy, often $5,000–$25,000, with easy approval and no medical exam. It guarantees funds are there, but premiums over time can exceed the payout, so compare it with saving.
• Preneed (prepaid) plans. Paying the funeral home in advance can lock in arrangements and sometimes prices — read our prepaid funeral guide for the cautions first.

Benefits you may qualify for

• Veterans' benefits. An eligible veteran can be buried in a national cemetery at no cost, with a headstone, burial flag, and military honors, and some families receive burial allowances — see our veterans' benefits guide.
• Social Security. A one-time $255 lump-sum death payment may go to an eligible surviving spouse or dependent child. It is small and fixed, but worth claiming.
• Employer or union benefits, and existing life insurance. Check for any group life coverage, accidental-death benefits, or fraternal-society payouts.

Help when funds fall short

• County or state indigent-burial assistance.Most counties offer a basic burial or cremation for low-income families who cannot pay; contact the county social services or coroner's office to ask how it works locally.
• Crowdfunding. Online fundraising among friends, family, and community can raise meaningful amounts quickly, especially for a sudden death.
• Payment plans and financing. Some funeral homes offer installment plans or work with third-party lenders; read the terms, since interest can add up.
• Charities and faith communities. Some religious congregations and local charities help with funeral costs for members or neighbors in need.

Put a plan together

Most families end up combining sources — a modest savings amount, a benefit or two, and a simpler service. Decide the level of service first, claim every benefit you qualify for, then cover the remainder. The planning checklist can help you keep the paperwork and contacts in one place.

Whatever you can spend, the FTC Funeral Rule is on your side: providers must give itemized prices over the phone and in writing, must let you buy only the items you want, and cannot require a package. Comparing two or three providers for the same goods can save a meaningful amount.