Understanding Funeral Costs in New Jersey

The New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association has released its 2023 survey of funeral costs across the state. This helpful guide breaks down what families can expect to pay for various funeral arrangements.

Three Main Types of Funerals

The survey outlines three common funeral approaches:

1. Typical Service – Includes one day of visitation, embalming, church and committal service, transportation, and other services.
2. Abbreviated Typical – Similar to the typical service but with only one hour of visitation.
3. Minimal Service – A basic option with no visitation, embalming, or church service.

Funeral Home Base Charges

Before selecting a casket, average funeral home charges are:

• Typical service: $10,270
• Abbreviated typical: $8,984
• Minimal service: $4,012

These charges cover professional services, facility use, transportation, and miscellaneous items.

Casket Options

The survey identifies three price points for caskets:

• High-end ($4,662): Solid hardwood with velvet interior
• Average ($3,697): 18-gauge gasketed steel with crepe interior
• Low-end ($1,141): Cloth-covered corrugated fiberboard

Disposition Methods

For Burial: Adding burial costs (vault, grave purchase, and opening/closing) increases the total average price to:

• Typical service: $19,958
• Abbreviated typical: $18,672
• Minimal service: $13,700

For Cremation: The average cremation costs (crematory fee and urn) add $916 to the funeral home charges, bringing total averages to:

• Typical service: $14,883
• Abbreviated typical: $13,597
• Minimal service: $8,625

Alternative Package Options

The survey also provides information on simplified packages:

Immediate Burial Package ($4,610 average):

• Includes basic services, transportation, permits, and a simple casket
• Does not include visitation, outer burial container, or grave costs

Direct Cremation Package ($2,874 average):

• Includes basic services, transportation, permits, and minimum container
• Does not include visitation, casket, urn, or crematory charges

Survey Coverage

The 2023 survey included responses from 186 funeral homes across New Jersey’s 21 counties, representing approximately 42% of funeral homes in the state. The data covers about 41% of New Jersey’s 81,388 deaths in 2022.

Planning Ahead

When considering funeral arrangements, remember that these figures represent averages. Actual costs may vary based on location and specific services selected. The survey is designed to help families understand potential expenses and options available to them.

For those on limited budgets, the minimal service or direct cremation options can provide dignified arrangements at a lower cost. For families who want more traditional services, the survey helps clarify the various components that contribute to the total expense.

Understanding these options in advance can help seniors and their families make informed decisions during a difficult time.