How Much Does It Cost To Have A Funeral?

A loved one dies in a car accident. As the family gathers to grieve together, financial questions are the farthest thing from your mind. The cost of the ordeal seems trivial compared to what was truly lost.

As time goes by, though, you realize the true impact of those costs. The person who passed away was the family’s main breadwinner, and that income is now gone. They got medical treatment before passing away, including an airlift to the hospital, and that is not cheap. On top of all that, there is the cost of the funeral itself. How much should your family expect to pay?

The total cost of a funeral differs dramatically based on personal preferences and how extensive the ceremony is, but the average cost in the United States comes in right around $7,181.

For just over $7,000, you cover the cost of the burial, the viewing, the hearse, the embalming process, the transfer of the person’s remains and various other fees. These are the basics.

However, the ceremony you want to have could increase the costs significantly. Perhaps you’d prefer to have a catered meal for people to gather and socialize after the service itself. Renting the space and buying food and drinks could add thousands to the total bill.

As you can imagine, this could mean you’re looking at around $10,000, just for the day of the funeral. If the accident was caused by another driver who was careless or negligent, it is important for you and your family to know if you have a legal right to financial compensation.