Planning a Funeral: A Complete US Guide

Planning a funeral while you are grieving is one of the hardest things a family can be asked to do. Decisions that would normally take weeks are compressed into days. Costs can reach into the tens of thousands of dollars. And every decision feels weighted with the significance of honoring a person you loved.

This guide walks you through the funeral planning process in the United States — step by step, with practical guidance on costs, your legal rights, and the decisions you'll need to make.

Note: Funeral regulations vary by state. This guide covers general federal standards and common practices. Verify specifics with your state's funeral regulatory agency.

Your Very First Call: The Funeral Home

If your loved one died at home, in a hospital, or in a care facility, your first call (after emergency services, if needed) is typically to a funeral home. The funeral home will arrange for the body to be transported and held while you make arrangements.

You are not obligated to use the first funeral home you contact, and you do not need to make any final decisions immediately. Many families contact 2–3 funeral homes to compare prices before committing.

Your Rights Under the FTC Funeral Rule

The Federal Trade Commission's Funeral Rule protects consumers in several important ways:

• Funeral homes must give you an itemized General Price List (GPL) when you visit or ask for prices — you don't have to commit to anything first
• You have the right to choose only the services and items you want — you cannot be required to purchase a package
• Funeral homes must accept caskets purchased elsewhere (such as online or from a warehouse store) and cannot charge a handling fee
• You must receive an itemized statement of all goods and services before final payment

These protections matter. Funeral costs in the US typically range from $7,000 to $12,000 or more for a traditional burial — and can be significantly higher in major metropolitan areas.

Burial vs. Cremation: The Primary Decision

This is the most fundamental decision in funeral planning. If your loved one expressed a preference (in writing, through a pre-need arrangement, or verbally), that preference should guide you. If not, the decision falls to the next of kin.

Traditional burial

The body is embalmed (not legally required in most states, but standard practice for viewing), placed in a casket, and buried in a cemetery. This option includes the cost of the casket, burial plot (if not pre-owned), opening and closing the grave, and a grave marker. Total cost: typically $8,000–$15,000+ depending on location and choices.

Cremation

The body is reduced to ashes (cremated remains) through high-heat incineration. This is a less expensive option, typically $700–$3,000 for direct cremation without a funeral service. Families may still hold a memorial service, scatter ashes in a meaningful location, keep them in an urn, or inter them in a columbarium. Cremation rates in the US have now surpassed burial rates.

Green or natural burial

A growing option, green burial involves interring the body in a biodegradable shroud or container without embalming, often in a natural setting. It's typically less expensive than traditional burial and chosen for ecological or spiritual reasons.

Funeral Service Options

Traditional funeral with viewing

Includes embalming, a visitation or viewing period (typically 1–2 days), and a formal funeral service followed by graveside committal. This is the most traditional option and typically the most expensive.

Memorial service without the body present

A gathering to celebrate and memorialize the person's life, often held after cremation or disposition of the body. More flexible in timing and location than a traditional funeral — can be held at a church, community center, park, or home.

Graveside service

A simple service at the burial site only, without a separate funeral home ceremony. Less expensive and more intimate.

Direct burial or direct cremation

The most economical option — no funeral service, no embalming, and minimal ceremony. The body is buried or cremated directly. Families often choose this for financial reasons or because they plan a separate memorial service.

What Else You'll Need to Plan

The obituary

An obituary announces the death publicly and typically appears in newspapers and online. It should include the person's full name, age, date and place of death, surviving family members, career and accomplishments, and funeral service information. Many funeral homes help write obituaries. Online memorial platforms like Legacy.com or Findagrave.com offer free postings.

Military funeral honors

Veterans are entitled to military funeral honors — at minimum, the folding and presentation of the American flag and the playing of Taps. Contact the deceased's branch of service or the National Cemetery Scheduling Office (1-800-535-1117) to arrange this. Burial in a national cemetery is also available to eligible veterans at no cost.

Pre-planned funeral arrangements

Many people pre-plan their own funerals to spare their families the decisions and cost. If your loved one pre-planned, locate that documentation — the funeral home and all decisions may already be arranged.

Paying for a Funeral

Options for covering funeral costs include:

• Life insurance proceeds — many policies pay within 30–60 days of claim filing
• The deceased's bank accounts — in most states, the estate has a legal obligation to cover funeral costs as a priority debt
• Pre-need funeral insurance — if they pre-funded arrangements
• Veterans benefits — burial allowance for eligible veterans
• Social Security death benefit — a one-time $255 payment available to eligible surviving spouses or dependent children
• Crowdfunding — GoFundMe and similar platforms are commonly used to offset unexpected funeral costs

After the Funeral

Once the funeral is complete, there are many practical matters still to attend to — from notifying agencies and closing accounts to navigating probate. Our guide to practical matters after loss covers the full timeline. And as you begin to move through grief, our complete guide to grief and healing is here to help.