From Alabama to Wyoming: The Cost of Dying Across America
It can be expensive to live in America. And, morbid as it is, it can also be expensive to die in America — if you want a proper burial be it via casket or cremation.
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According to the most recent available data from the National Funeral Directors Association, the national median cost of a funeral is around $7,848 while the median cost of a funeral with cremation is about $6,971.
One of the biggest factors impacting funeral expenses — and the cost of dying, in general — is the state where the death certificate is issued. Just like the cost of living, the cost of dying depends on where you live. It’s important to know the price of burial so that you and/or your loved ones can be prepared.
Here’s a look at how much dying costs in every state across the U.S.
Alabama
Average price of a casket: $7,615
Average price of cremation: $5,858
The cost of a funeral casket in Alabama averages $7,615, while the price of cremation, on average, is $5,858. No inheritance tax or estate tax is collected in the state, making the price of death a bit more manageable in this location.
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Alaska
Average price of a casket: $7,835
Average price of cremation: $5,812
The cost of a funeral casket in Alaska averages $7,835, and the cost of cremation weighs in at around $5,812. Like Alabama, Alaska has neither inheritance or estate tax.
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Arizona
Average price of a casket: $7,390
Average price of cremation: $5,505
In Arizona, the cost of a funeral casket is approximately $7,390. The cost of cremation is, on average, $5,505. In this state, there’s no estate tax or inheritance tax.
Arkansas
Average price of a casket: $7,912
Average price of cremation: $5,890
In the Bear State, the cost of a funeral casket averages $7,912, and the cost of cremation is around $5,890. Arkansas doesn’t impose an estate or inheritance tax.
California
Average price of a casket: $7,835
Average price of cremation: $5,812
In California, you’ll pay neither estate or inheritance tax. Funeral caskets average $7,825, and the cost of cremation averages $5,812.
Colorado
Average price of a casket: $7,390
Average price of cremation: $5,505
The cost of a funeral casket in Colorado averages $7,390. The cost of cremation averages $5,505. Colorado doesn’t have an estate tax or an inheritance tax.
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Connecticut
Average price of a casket: $8,985
Average price of cremation: $7,023
The cost of dying in Connecticut is on the higher end, with the average price of a casket weighing in at $8,985, and the cost of cremation averaging $7,023. If your estate is worth more than $12.92 million, a Connecticut estate tax is due. There is no inheritance tax in this state.
Delaware
Average price of a casket: $8,023
Average price of cremation: $6,103
Funeral casket costs in Delaware average $8,023. Cremation costs add up to $6,103, on average, but there’s no estate or inheritance tax.
Florida
Average price of a casket: $8,023
Average price of cremation: $6,103
To buy a funeral casket in Florida, you will need about $8,203. Cremation will set you back $6,103. There is no estate or inheritance tax in the Sunshine State.
Georgia
Average price of a casket: $8,023
Average price of cremation: $6,103
Death is expensive in the Peach State. A funeral casket costs, on average, $8,023, and cremation costs $6,103. At least there is no inheritance tax or estate tax here.
Hawaii
Average price of a casket: $7,835
Average price of cremation: $5,812
Hawaii may be the most expensive state to retire in, but oddly, it’s not the most expensive state to die in (though it’s hardly the cheapest). A funeral casket averages $7,835 and cremation costs $5,812. For 2024, the estate tax exemption in Hawaii is $5.49 million, and there is no inheritance tax.
Idaho
Average price of a casket: $7,390
Average price of cremation: $5,505
In Idaho, a funeral casket averages $7,390, and the cost of cremation hovers at around $5,505. Idaho levies neither an estate tax or an inheritance tax.
Illinois
Average price of a casket: $8,280
Average price of cremation: $6,120
A funeral casket in the Prairie State costs, on average, $8,280, and the cost of cremation weighs in at $6,120. The Illinois estate tax rate can reach as high 16%, but it only affects estates worth over $4 million. There is no inheritance tax here.
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Indiana
Average price of a casket: $8,280
Average price of cremation: $6,120
In Indiana, a funeral casket costs $8,280 on average, while cremation costs $6,120. Indiana does not impose an estate tax or an inheritance tax.
Iowa
Average price of a casket: $8,755
Average price of cremation: $6,713
You can expect to drop around $8,755 on a funeral casket in Iowa, which is on the steep end of the national spectrum. Cremation is also particularly pricey at $6,713. The Hawkeye State does not have an estate tax, but it does have an inheritance tax to consider, though the rate owed varies.
Kansas
Average price of a casket: $8,755
Average price of cremation: $6,713
In Kansas, you won’t have to pay an inheritance tax or an estate tax, but you will have to fork over quite a bit of change for a funeral. A casket averages $8,755 and cremation averages $6,713.
Kentucky
Average price of a casket: $7,615
Average price of cremation: $5,858
Funeral caskets in Kentucky cost approximately $7,615, and cremation costs $5,858. There is, in some cases, an inheritance tax in Kentucky, though the rate varies. There is no estate tax.
Louisiana
Average price of a casket: $7,912
Average price of cremation: $5,890
In Louisiana, which has no inheritance tax or estate tax, a funeral casket averages $7,912 and cremation costs about $5,890.
Maine
Average price of a casket: $8,985
Average price of cremation: $7,023
Expect to spend an average of close to $9,000 on a casket in Maine, and an average of $7,203 on cremation. In this expensive state, you’ll also be hit with a steep estate tax on estates worth more than $6.8 million, with rates ranging from 8% to 12%. There is no inheritance tax.
Maryland
Average price of a casket: $8,023
Average price of cremation: $6,103
Caskets cost, on average, $8,023 in Maryland, and cremation averages $6,103. There is an estate tax in Maryland, with a threshold of $5 million as of 2024. There is also an inheritance tax rate of 10% of the value of the inheritance.
Massachusetts
Average price of a casket: $8,985
Average price of cremation: $7,023
In Massachusetts, the average price of a casket is high: $8,985. The cost of cremation is around $7,023. Making dying in Massachusetts even more expensive is the fact that if your estate is worth $2 million or more, you’ll be hit with an estate tax. At least there’s no inheritance tax.
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Michigan
Average price of a casket: $8,280
Average price of cremation: $6,120
In Michigan, the cost of a funeral casket is $8,280 and the cost of cremation is $6,120, on average. The state does not levy an estate tax or an inheritance tax.
Minnesota
Average price of a casket: $8,755
Average price of cremation: $6,713
A funeral casket in Minnesota will set you back about $8,755 and cremation costs weigh in at about $6,713. If your estate is worth more than $3 million, you must pay estate tax, with the rate ranging from 13% to 16%. There is no inheritance tax.
Mississippi
Average price of a casket: $7,615
Average price of cremation: $5,858
In Mississippi, the average cost of a funeral casket is $7,615. The average cost of cremation is $5,858. This state does not levy an estate tax or an inheritance tax.
Missouri
Average price of a casket: $8,755
Average price of cremation: $6,713
Missouri does not impose an estate tax or an inheritance tax, but the cost of dying here is still pricey, given that a funeral casket costs $8,755 on average, and cremation costs $6,713.
Montana
Average price of a casket: $7,390
Average price of cremation: $5,505
In Montana, which has no estate tax or inheritance tax, the cost of a funeral casket is, on average, $7,390, while the cost of cremation is $5,505.
Nebraska
Average price of a casket: $8,755
Average price of cremation: $6,713
A funeral casket in Nebraska is notably expensive: $8,755, on average. The average price of cremation is $6,713. Here, there is no estate tax or inheritance tax.
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Nevada
Average price of a casket: $7,390
Average price of cremation: $5,505
There is no estate tax or an inheritance tax in Nevada, and funeral caskets ($7,309, on average) and cremation costs ($5,505, on average) are on the lower end of the national spectrum.
New Hampshire
Average price of a casket: $8,985
Average price of cremation: $7,023
In New Hampshire, the average price of a funeral casket is $8,985 and cremation is $7,203, which puts it in the category of the most expensive states to die in, by these standards. The state does not impose an estate tax or an inheritance tax.
New Jersey
Average price of a casket: $8,573
Average price of cremation: $6,498
There is no longer an estate tax in New Jersey, but there is still an inheritance tax. Rates depend on one’s relationship with the deceased as well as the size of the estate. The price of a funeral casket is pretty pricey at $8,573 on average. Cremation is expensive too, averaging $6,498.
New Mexico
Average price of a casket: $7,390
Average price of cremation: $5,505
Expect to drop around $7,390 on a funeral casket in New Mexico, and about $5,505 if you opt for cremation. New Mexico does not have an inheritance tax, nor does it have an estate tax.
New York
Average price of a casket: $8,573
Average price of cremation: $6,498
In New York, a funeral casket costs $8,573 on average, and cremation costs $6,498. The estate tax rate for New York is graduated; it applies to estates with $6.94 million or more and ranges between 3.06% and 16%, depending on the amount the estate is worth.
North Carolina
Average price of a casket: $8,023
Average price of cremation: $6,103
A funeral casket goes for around $8,023 in North Carolina, while the cost of cremation weighs in at $6,103, on average. There is no estate tax or inheritance tax.
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North Dakota
Average price of a casket: $8,755
Average price of cremation: $6,713
In North Dakota, you’ll find no estate tax or inheritance tax, but you’ll shell out a fair amount of cash on a funeral casket ($8,755, on average) or cremation ($6,713, on average).
Ohio
Average price of a casket: $8,280
Average price of cremation: $6,120
In Ohio, the average cost of a funeral casket is $8,280. The average price of cremation is $6,210. There is not an estate tax or an inheritance tax in this state.
Oklahoma
Average price of a casket: $7,912
Average price of cremation: $5,890
Oklahoma does not levy an estate tax or an inheritance tax. The average price of a funeral casket is $7,912, and the average price of cremation is $5,890.
Oregon
Average price of a casket: $7,835
Average price of cremation: $5,812
If your estate is worth more than $1 million, Oregon slams you with an estate tax rate ranging from 10% to 16%. There is no inheritance tax. The average cost of a funeral casket is $7,835, and $5,812 for cremation.
Pennsylvania
Average price of a casket: $8,573
Average price of cremation: $6,498
In Pennsylvania, you’ll pay $8,573, on average, for a funeral casket, and $6,498 on average for cremation. You’ll also be hit with an inheritance tax, with the amount depending on the relationship of the deceased to the heirs. There is no estate tax.
Rhode Island
Average price of a casket: $8,985
Average price of cremation: $7,023
In Rhode Island, the average price of a casket is on the highest end of the national spectrum, averaging $8,985. The cost of cremation is also at the highest end, averaging $7,023. If your estate is worth more than $1,774,583 in 2024, you’ll owe an estate tax (the amount varies based on the value of the estate). There is no inheritance tax in Rhode Island.
South Carolina
Average price of a casket: $8,023
Average price of cremation: $6,103
There is neither an estate tax or an inheritance tax in South Carolina. The average price of a funeral casket is $8,023, and the average price of cremation is $6,103.
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South Dakota
Average price of a casket: $8,755
Average price of cremation: $6,713
South Dakota repealed its inheritance tax in 2001, and does not impose an estate tax, either. A funeral casket here will set you back, on average, $8,755, while cremation will cost you $6,713.
Tennessee
Average price of a casket: $7,615
Average price of cremation: $5,858
In Tennessee, the average price of a casket is $7,615, and the average cost of cremation is $5,858. There is no estate tax or inheritance tax.
Texas
Average price of a casket: $7,912
Average price of cremation: $5,890
In the Lone Star State, you won’t face an estate tax or an inheritance tax. The cost of a casket is $7,912, on average, and the cost of cremation is $5,890.
Utah
Average price of a casket: $7,390
Average price of cremation: $5,505
Residents of the Beehive State can expect to spend in the ballpark of $7,390 for a funeral casket, and $5,505 on cremation. There is no inheritance tax or estate tax.
Vermont
Average price of a casket: $8,985
Average price of cremation: $7,023
Not only is Vermont among the most expensive states for funeral costs (averaging $8,985 for a casket and $7,023 for cremation), it also imposes a steep estate tax. The state charges a flat rate of 16% on estates worth more than $5 million. There is no inheritance tax.
Washington
Average price of a casket: $7,835
Average price of cremation: $5,812
Estate tax rates in Washington state are applicable progressive and range from 10% to 20%. The estate tax in Washington applies to estates worth $2.193 million and up. There is no inheritance tax. Meanwhile, a funeral casket costs $7,835, on average, and cremation costs around $5,812.
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West Virginia
Average price of a casket: $8,023
Average price of cremation: $6,103
In West Virginia, a lower cost of living state, the cost of dying isn’t cheap. A funeral casket averages $8,023 and cremation averages $6,103. There is no estate tax or inheritance tax.
Wisconsin
Average price of a casket: $8,280
Average price of cremation: $6,120
In Wisconsin, the average price of a casket is $8,280 and the average price of a casket is $6,120. There is no estate tax or inheritance tax in this state.
Wyoming
Average price of a casket: $7,390
Average price of cremation: $5,505
Wyoming residents can expect to shell out an average of $7,390 on a funeral casket, and an average of $5,505 on cremation. There is no estate tax or inheritance tax.
Methodology: To find the out-of-pocket cost for end-of-life expenditures, GOBankingRates used the national median costs for funerals as sourced from the National Funeral Directors Association for 2023 Cost of Funerals. The differences in state regions can be calculated and using the percentage differences the median cost for each expenditure can be calculated to find the median out-of-pocket costs for end of life expenditures. All data was collected and is up to date as of Dec. 15, 2023.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: From Alabama to Wyoming: The Cost of Dying Across America
