NFDA's 2023 survey reports a median of $8,300 for a burial funeral, $9,995 with a vault, and $6,280 for cremation with a viewing and ceremony. Here is where those figures come from, what they leave out, and how much the numbers move by region.
7 min readUnderstand the average cost of a funeral in the United States — what drives prices, burial vs. cremation costs, and how to make informed decisions about funeral expenses.
7 min readA balanced comparison of cremation and burial covering average costs, environmental impact, religious considerations, and how to honor individual wishes.
7 min readA funeral with viewing and burial runs a median of $8,300 in funeral home charges, before the cemetery's separate bill. Here are the specific, practical choices that lower the total without sacrificing a meaningful farewell.
8 min readThe FTC Funeral Rule gives every American legal rights over funeral pricing. Learn what funeral homes must disclose, what you can refuse, and how to use these rights to avoid overpaying.
7 min readWho qualifies for burial in a national cemetery, VA burial allowances, military funeral honors, headstones and markers — and how to apply.
7 min readPlanning a funeral involves roughly a dozen decisions made over three to five days. This guide covers each one in the order it comes up, what it typically costs, and which choices you are allowed to decline.
8 min readA checklist of the decisions a funeral director will ask you to make, so you can think them through beforehand rather than in the arrangement meeting: disposition, service type, and what each choice affects.
7 min readA printable funeral planning worksheet covering every decision families need to make — from service type and burial preferences to obituary details, readings, music, and key contacts.
6 min readA step-by-step cremation planning checklist: authorization requirements, decisions you need to make, how to choose a provider, what to expect during the process, and all options for the ashes.
7 min readA practical guide to green and natural burial: what it is, how it differs from conventional burial, what natural burial costs, how to find a certified cemetery, and what families need to know to arrange one.
8 min readAquamation — also called water cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, or flameless cremation — dissolves the body using water and an alkaline solution instead of flame. It's more eco-friendly than fire cremation and is now available in over 20 states.
7 min readA complete guide to every type of grave marker and headstone — materials, styles, what cemeteries allow, and what to verify before you purchase.
6 min readHow to find the best grave care and maintenance provider — what services to expect, questions to ask, how to vet quality, and what photo documentation and ongoing care plans should look like.
4 min readChoosing a funeral home is one of the first decisions families face. The right questions to ask are: What is included in the basic service fee? Do you have a written price list? These determine whether you're receiving fair value and the right level of care.
6 min readOnce you have a shortlist of funeral homes, this is how to check them: license status, what the general price list should show, the questions that reveal how they operate, and the warning signs worth walking away from.
4 min readHow to find the best cremation provider — what to look for when choosing a cremation service, questions to ask about identification and pricing, and your rights under the FTC Funeral Rule.
4 min readHow to find the best cemetery for your family — what to look for when choosing a burial ground, how to pick the right plot, questions to ask about pricing and rules, and what to watch for.
4 min readHow to find the best green burial provider — what to look for when choosing a natural burial cemetery, how to pick a GBC-certified site, and questions to ask about conservation and land protection.
4 min readAquamation is licensed differently from flame cremation and is not available everywhere. Here is how to confirm a provider is licensed, what to ask about the process, and how urn sizing differs.
4 min readNatural organic reduction is legal in a limited set of states and offered by a small number of licensed facilities. Here is how to verify licensing, what the process involves, and what to ask about transport and soil return.
4 min readInterstate and international transport of remains is regulated and priced separately from funeral services. Here is how to choose a licensed provider, what paperwork travels with the remains, and what to expect to pay.
4 min readHow to buy the best casket or urn — what to look for when choosing a local retailer, how to pick the right casket or urn, your FTC Funeral Rule rights, and what to watch for when making arrangements.
4 min readHow to buy the best casket online — what to look for when choosing an online retailer, how to pick the right urn or casket, your legal rights, and how to coordinate delivery with a funeral home.
4 min readHow to find the best monument company — what to look for when choosing a headstone or grave marker, how to pick the best monument, questions to ask about materials and installation, and what to watch for.
4 min readHow to buy the best headstone online — what to look for when choosing an online monument retailer, how to pick the best grave marker, cemetery approval requirements, shipping, and proof review.
4 min readCake shut down in 2025. Here is what its end-of-life planning features covered, what replaced them, and how Passings compares.
8 min readPassings and Empathy both help families navigate end-of-life planning, but they work very differently. Compare features, access, pricing, and who each platform serves best.
9 min readLooking for an Everplans alternative? Compare Passings and Everplans on features, pricing, security, and ease of use before you commit to either.
8 min readLooking for a GoodTrust alternative? Compare Passings and GoodTrust on features, pricing, security, and what each actually covers after a death.
8 min readLantern was a popular end-of-life planning platform before it was acquired and shut down. See how Passings compares to Lantern's original features and what's available now.
7 min readComparing Passings and Trustworthy for end-of-life planning? See how they differ on document storage, estate planning depth, provider access, and pricing.
7 min readLantern shut down in 2024 after being acquired by Wellthy. Here are the end-of-life planning platforms worth moving to, and how they compare.
9 min read