Facing the loss of a loved one is hard enough without worrying about how to pay for it. Yet in America, the cost of a funeral can place an enormous strain on families, especially depending on where you live.
To understand these differences, we created a “death affordability index” by comparing funeral costs in every state to local incomes and the cost of living. Each state received a score from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater affordability.
Key Findings
- State rankings
- 60.5% of Americans are worried about affording funeral costs if a loved one passed away.
- 40.8% couldn’t contribute more than $1,000 out-of-pocket for a funeral.
- 57.7% would rely on debt or borrowing to pay for funerals.
- 31.4% have taken zero steps to prepare for end-of-life expenses.
- 64.6% took inadequate time off work after losing a loved one, with many needing more time than they took.
- 56% would choose direct cremation over burial to save money.
Washington and Oregon Rank Among the Most Affordable States to Die
Surprisingly, some of the states with the highest costs of living also rank among the most affordable for funerals. Washington and Oregon top the list, with average costs under $7,700, making them two of the cheapest places in the country to say goodbye.
The rest of the top 10 is a mix of expected and unexpected states: retirement hubs and lower-income states also appear, showing that funeral affordability isn’t tied to just one region or income level.
| State | Score | Cost |
| Washington | 86.08 | $7,659 |
| Oregon | 81.65 | $7,551 |
| Colorado | 78.84 | $8,139 |
| Montana | 76.66 | $7,742 |
| Idaho | 74.87 | $7,745 |
| Arizona | 74.57 | $7,784 |
| Utah | 74.13 | $8,028 |
| Arkansas | 72.92 | $7,668 |
| New Mexico | 71.71 | $7,829 |
| Virginia | 71.54 | $8,321 |
Iowa, Minnesota, and Delaware Rank Among the Most Expensive States to Die In
While Hawaii takes the top spot for costly funerals, the real surprises are states like Iowa, Minnesota, and Delaware. Despite not being known for sky-high living costs, all three landed in the bottom 10, with funeral prices averaging more than $9,000.
For families in these states, funeral bills can feel overwhelming, proving that affordability challenges don’t just affect the coasts.
| State | Score | Avg Funeral Cost |
| Michigan | 48.77 | $8,953 |
| Illinois | 48.72 | $9,841 |
| Delaware | 47.96 | $9,203 |
| Rhode Island | 46.66 | $9,213 |
| New Jersey | 45.67 | $9,443 |
| Iowa | 41.41 | $9,382 |
| Connecticut | 40.93 | $9,609 |
| Minnesota | 39.47 | $9,697 |
| Massachusetts | 38.51 | $9,545 |
| Hawaii | 23.36 | $9,467 |
6 in 10 Americans Worry They Can’t Afford a Funeral
Rising funeral costs aren’t just a financial burden; they also pose a significant emotional strain. 6 in 10 (60.5%) Americans say they are worried about affording funeral costs if a loved one passes away, with nearly a quarter (24.2%) admitting they are “very worried.”
This financial anxiety has led many families to explore alternative planning strategies, with annuities emerging as a valuable tool for generating steady income streams that can help cover end-of-life expenses. Annuities provide predictable revenue that can ease the burden of funeral costs while offering peace of mind for both individuals and their families.
For those considering this option, annuity calculators can help determine the right approach to ensure adequate coverage for these inevitable expenses.
40% of Americans Reveal They Can’t Pay Out-of-Pocket for Funerals
The price of a funeral, which ranges between $7,000 and $12,000, is far beyond what many families have saved.
40% of respondents have less than $1,000 in emergency savings, while 41% couldn’t contribute more than $1,000 out-of-pocket for a funeral.
Almost 60% of Americans Would Go Into Debt to Pay for a Funeral
For many families, funerals are not just heartbreaking; they are financially distressing.
57.7% would have to take on debt to pay for funerals, with 34% relying on credit cards/loans and 23.7% borrowing from family or friends.
Americans Shoulder Their Parents’ and Their Own Funeral Costs
The majority of Americans are facing a “double burden” when it comes to preparing for end-of-life costs: Their parents and their own.
63% expect to be financially responsible for their parents’ funerals, with 26.5% reporting this causes them stress or anxiety.
Nearly Half of Americans Have Taken Little to No Steps to Prepare for End of Life
Nearly half the country is unprepared for an inevitable life event.
31.4% have taken zero steps to prepare for end-of-life expenses, while another 15.5% plan to “act soon” but haven’t yet.
Only 1 in 3 U.S. Workers Gets Paid Bereavement Leave
Grieving is hard enough without worrying about work.
Just one-third of American workers receive paid bereavement leave, and only 7.6% have access to funeral cost support.
For many, that means navigating loss without either the time or financial help they need.
Over 60% of Americans Would Like More Time to Grieve
Most Americans are not getting enough time to process loss, highlighting how bereavement policies lack sufficient recovery time.
64.6% took less time off work than they actually needed after losing a loved one, leaving many without the chance to fully recover.
The Rising Costs of Living Leave Americans Struggling with the Expenses of Dying
With everyday expenses eating into savings, many Americans are caught in a vicious cycle that leaves them unprepared for emergencies, including funerals.
Nearly 68% have cut back on essentials just to cover basic living costs, sacrificing emergency funds (28%), retirement savings (18%), and even healthcare (22%).
Cremation, DIY Funerals, & AI Eulogies: How Americans Are Cutting Costs
To mitigate these costs, over half the country is rethinking how it honors loved ones.
More than half of Americans (56%) say they’d choose direct cremation over burial to save money, while others are turning to unconventional options like DIY home memorials (37%), crowdfunding (19%), and even AI-written eulogies (15%).
Key Insight
This survey reveals that death in America has become a luxury many cannot afford, creating widespread anxiety, forcing people into debt, and fundamentally changing how families honor their loved ones. The data suggests a systemic crisis where rising costs are making one of life’s most inevitable experiences financially catastrophic for the majority of Americans.
Complete Death Affordability Index
| State | Score | Avg Funeral Cost |
| Washington | 86.08 | $7,659 |
| Oregon | 81.65 | $7,551 |
| Colorado | 78.84 | $8,139 |
| Montana | 76.66 | $7,742 |
| Idaho | 74.87 | $7,745 |
| Arizona | 74.57 | $7,784 |
| Utah | 74.13 | $8,028 |
| Arkansas | 72.92 | $7,668 |
| New Mexico | 71.71 | $7,829 |
| Virginia | 71.54 | $8,321 |
| Ohio | 70.47 | $8,015 |
| California | 69.92 | $8,026 |
| Oklahoma | 69.64 | $7,966 |
| Wyoming | 69.49 | $8,070 |
| Vermont | 68.22 | $8,213 |
| Alaska | 68.11 | $8,272 |
| North Carolina | 67.31 | $8,136 |
| Tennessee | 67.06 | $8,159 |
| Missouri | 64.81 | $8,295 |
| Mississippi | 63.99 | $7,984 |
| West Virginia | 63.92 | $8,074 |
| South Carolina | 63.18 | $8,270 |
| South Dakota | 62.41 | $8,614 |
| Nebraska | 60.54 | $8,620 |
| Florida | 60.48 | $8,394 |
| New Hampshire | 59.73 | $8,793 |
| Georgia | 59.66 | $8,549 |
| Nevada | 59.04 | $8,538 |
| Kansas | 58.70 | $8,640 |
| Alabama | 58.20 | $8,428 |
| North Dakota | 57.07 | $8,868 |
| Kentucky | 56.31 | $8,393 |
| Texas | 54.80 | $8,791 |
| Maine | 54.79 | $8,594 |
| Indiana | 54.13 | $8,705 |
| Maryland | 54.01 | $9,182 |
| Pennsylvania | 53.83 | $8,817 |
| New York | 51.06 | $8,836 |
| Louisiana | 50.75 | $8,652 |
| Wisconsin | 49.97 | $9,004 |
| Michigan | 48.77 | $8,953 |
| Illinois | 48.72 | $9,184 |
| Delaware | 47.96 | $9,203 |
| Rhode Island | 46.66 | $9,213 |
| New Jersey | 45.67 | $9,443 |
| Iowa | 41.41 | $9,382 |
| Connecticut | 40.93 | $9,609 |
| Minnesota | 39.47 | $9,697 |
| Massachusetts | 38.51 | $9,545 |
| Hawaii | 23.36 | $9,467 |
Methodology
To understand how Americans perceive the financial burden of death and end-of-life planning, we surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults who have either experienced the loss of a close loved one or expect to be financially responsible for funeral costs in the future. Participants answered a series of questions about their ability to afford funeral expenses, reliance on savings or insurance, coping strategies such as crowdfunding or debt, and their attitudes toward planning for death in the face of rising costs. The survey also explored employer-provided bereavement benefits, preparedness for parental funeral expenses, and the emotional impact of financial strain during grief. Responses were analyzed across demographic groups, income levels, and family circumstances to reveal trends and disparities in affordability and preparedness.
To create our Death Affordability Index, we combined three state-level data sources. Each state’s score was calculated using:
- Average funeral cost (weighted 50%)
- Median household income (weighted 25%)
- Overall cost of living index (weighted 25%)
Sources:
Average funeral costs by state – https://www.funeralocity.com/average-funeral-price/ny
Median Household Income by state https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/median-household-income-by-state
Cost of living data https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/cost-of-living-index-by-state
Fair Use Policy
Users are welcome to utilize the insights and findings from this study for noncommercial purposes, such as academic research, educational presentations, and personal reference. When referencing or citing this article, please ensure proper attribution to maintain the integrity of the research. Direct linking to this article is permissible, and access to the original source of information is encouraged.
For commercial use or publication purposes, including but not limited to media outlets, websites, and promotional materials, please contact the authors for permission and licensing details. We appreciate your respect for intellectual property rights and adherence to ethical citation practices. Thank you for your interest in our research.