We are pleased to announce results of our 2024 project to collect and compare prices for funeral home services. We obtained General Price Lists from 94% of the funeral home locations in Western Massachusetts. Our price study committee reviewed these GPLs and compiled data for six selected price categories. You can now view the results on our website, linked from our Price Comparisons page.
Results reveal significant variation in price for the same service definition:
- “Immediate Burial” prices range from $1,750 to $5,760.
- “Direct Cremation” prices range from $1,185 to $5,295, which may or may not include the required Medical Examiner’s fee (currently $200) and the fee charged by the crematory. In our table we note whether these extra fees are included in the funeral home’s quoted price.
To estimate the cost of a full conventional funeral, start with the “Basic Services Fee,” which ranges from a low of $1,750 to a high of $5,760, and add the cost of any goods or services that you wish the funeral home to provide (e.g., embalming, casket, visiting hours, a funeral ceremony in their facility).
It pays to shop around! We invite you to visit our Price Comparisons page for more information.