A Guide To Planning A Funeral In New York (2024)

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If $7,700 sounds like a lot of money to you, that doesn’t even cover all of the costs associated with a traditional funeral and burial in the state of New York. Planning a funeral is time consuming, paying for a funeral can get quite expensive, and knowing which services and products you want can feel confusing. This article covers everything you need to know about planning a funeral in the state of New York.

What types of funerals are popular in New York?

New York state boasts a similar trend to other states in funeral preparations where burial and cremation make up the vast majority of chosen methods of disposition. Combined, a traditional burial or cremation are the chosen methods of disposition for over 94% of New York residents on Ever Loved.

What is the average funeral cost in New York?

The average cost of a traditional funeral in the state of New York costs $7,700 on average, according to data on Ever Loved. A traditional funeral typically includes the following services:

Transfer of the deceased: Transportation of the body from the place of death to the funeral home.
Embalming: Preservation of the body for viewing.
Dressing and casketing: Preparing the body and placing it in the casket.
Viewing/Visitation: Scheduled times for family and friends to view the body and pay their respects.
Funeral ceremony: A formal service held at the funeral home, a church, or another location.
Hearse transportation: Transporting the casket to the burial site.
Graveside service: A ceremony held at the burial site.
Burial or interment: Placement of the casket in the ground or a mausoleum.
Coordination of clergy/officiants: Arranging for religious or secular leaders to conduct the service.
Memorial products: Providing items like memorial folders, guest books, and acknowledgment cards.

The cost of all of these services, plus other administrative fees can get quite pricey, pretty quickly. Keep in mind that the price of services depends on the city you’re in and working with – New York city funeral homes may charge more than funeral homes in rural parts of New York. Even with the high price tag, over 40% of New Yorkers on Ever Loved chose burial as their method of disposition. If you’re interested in a burial but are worried about the price tag, there are a few steps you can take to reduce the cost of the burial:

Purchase a casket directly from a manufacturer or an online marketplace.
Choose an immediate burial instead of a traditional burial – an immediate burial is the interment of the body without a public viewing, visitation, or formal funeral ceremony.
Forgo embalming; it’s not necessary, and skipping it is less expensive and better for the environment.
Coordinate your own funeral ceremony or memorial service without the funeral home’s staff and assistance.

The $7,700 average price tag does not include cemetery costs or fees that are often associated with traditional burials and funeral services. Cemetery fees often include the following items and services:

Opening and closing of the burial plot ($1,300 - $1,650)
Grave markers or headstones ($1,350 - $8,800)
Burial plot ($2,100 - $3,600)
Burial vault ($1,000 - $10,000)
Cemetery service fees ($200 - $400)

Were you to add these fees to the average funeral cost in New York, you should expect to pay around $14,000 for a traditional funeral with lower-end items and services purchased from the cemetery.

What are some alternatives to the traditional funeral in New York?

Cremation: While 42% of New Yorkers on Ever Loved chose a burial, over 50% decided to go for a cremation. Cremations are much less expensive than funerals, involve fewer services and fees, and are rising in popularity. Additionally, cremations are better for the environment than a traditional burial. A cremation with a service in New York costs $3800 on average while a direct cremation costs $2200 on average, according to pricing data gathered by Ever Loved. Cremations often involve a memorial service, whereas direct cremations involve no services – the body is immediately cremated after the funeral home receives it. You can always hold your own service in the case of a cremation, the funeral home just does not assist with it.

Donating a body to science: Fewer than 2% of New Yorkers on Ever Loved listed donating the body to science as the chosen method of disposition. Despite being a niche choice on Ever Loved, donating a body to science is often the least expensive method of disposition. Donating a body to science involves contributing the deceased's body to medical schools, research institutions, or anatomical programs for educational and research purposes. The donation helps advance medical knowledge and training. Typically, the institution covers the transportation and cremation costs after the body has been used, and the ashes are often returned to the family, making the cost free for the family (usually). The process requires registering in advance with the donation program and may have specific guidelines and requirements.

Burial at sea: Just under 1% of individuals from New York on Ever Loved chose burial at sea as their chosen method of disposition. Burial at sea involves the placement of the body or cremated remains into the ocean, typically after a brief ceremony. For a body burial, federal regulations require the body to be placed at least three nautical miles from shore and in water at least 600 feet deep. Cremated remains can be scattered or placed in a biodegradable urn, often following similar distance requirements. This type of burial can be arranged through specialized services or directly with the relevant authorities. Families often choose burial at sea for its symbolic connection to nature or personal significance, and it usually involves obtaining necessary permits and adhering to environmental guidelines.

How much does a funeral cost at New York funeral homes?

Funeral homes in Brooklyn, New York:

How to make sure you’re getting fair prices

To ensure fair prices for a funeral in New York, start by researching and comparing costs from multiple funeral homes, as prices can vary significantly. Utilize Ever Loved to look into pricing and tools like the Federal Trade Commission's Funeral Rule, which requires funeral homes to provide clear, itemized price lists upon request. Seek recommendations and read reviews to gauge the reputation and reliability of the providers – all funeral homes listed on Ever Loved have reviews from Google and from Ever Loved posted on their profile. Additionally, consider handling the service on your own and going with a direct cremation or immediate burial, which is usually more cost-effective. Lastly, be mindful of unnecessary upsells and only choose services and products that meet your needs and budget.

Does New York state provide funeral assistance?

While New York State does not provide funeral assistance, there are a handful of programs that do aim to help families in need. In addition, New York state does provide certain individuals with assistance on a county by county basis. In order to qualify for this assistance, you’ll need to check for benefits with your county. If you’ve exhausted the county-level assistance as a resource, here are some additional resources that may be of use, depending on your circ*mstances.

Social Security Death Benefit: Social Security provides a one-time lump sum payment of $255 to eligible family members.
Victim Compensation Fund: Families of victims of crime may receive assistance with funeral expenses through the New York State Office of Victim Services.
Indigent Burial Program: If the deceased has no family or resources to cover funeral costs and was a veteran, New York State will reimburse up to $2,000 of funeral expenses through indigent burial reimbursem*nts.
Veterans' Benefits: Veterans and their families may qualify for funeral and burial benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance: If the death occurred due to COVID-19, families may be eligible for funeral expense reimbursem*nt from FEMA.
Charitable organizations: Some non-profit organizations and religious groups offer assistance with funeral costs for those in need.
Crowdfunding**: Many families have received thousands of dollars and had expenses covered through the generosity of their community. Start a memorial fundraiser on Ever Loved for free to start raising money to cover funeral expenses and other costs.

Start a fundraiser

Step-by-step guide to planning a funeral in New York

Here's an 8-step guide on how to plan a funeral in the state of New York:

Step 1: Determine the type of service

Traditional funeral service: Includes a visitation, funeral ceremony, and burial or cremation.
Memorial service: Held without the body present, often after cremation.
Graveside service: Conducted at the burial site.
Direct burial or cremation: No formal ceremony; the body is buried or cremated soon after death.

Step 2: Set a budget

Determine how much you can afford to spend on the funeral.

Step 3: Choose a funeral home

Research and select a funeral home that suits your needs and budget.
Consider factors such as location, services offered, and reputation.

Browse funeral homes

Step 4: Make funeral arrangements

Meet with a funeral director to discuss and finalize the arrangements.
Decide on the date, time, and location of the service.
Choose a casket or urn, and discuss embalming, if necessary.

Step 5: Notify family and friends

Inform close family and friends about the death and funeral arrangements by creating a memorial website and sharing it widely.

Step 6: Personalize the service

Plan the service to reflect the deceased's personality and preferences.
Select readings, music, and participants for the service.
Arrange for flowers, photos, and other memorabilia to be displayed.

Step 7: Plan and host a reception

Decide on the event venue for the reception, which can be held at a home, a community center, a restaurant, or any other meaningful spot.
Coordinate the food and beverage arrangements, considering dietary preferences and cultural traditions.
Organize activities or elements that honor the deceased, such as a slideshow, memory table, or open mic for sharing stories.

Step 8: Consider aftercare and grief support

Seek information on available local and online support services, including individual counseling, and bereavement groups.

By following these steps, you can ensure that the funeral planning process in New York is organized and respectful of your loved one's wishes.

Planning a funeral can be overwhelming, but it’s only one part of the many tasks that follow after a loved one passes away. To help manage everything effectively, use Ever Loved’s after-death checklist. This checklist offers valuable information, step-by-step guidance, and the option to involve others in managing the tasks. It also provides an organized way to stay on top of all necessary actions during this challenging time.

Use the checklist

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Funeral planning

Last updated August 10, 2024

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