A new study by injury lawyers Bader Scott has revealed funeral costs across the U.S., with Minnesota ranking as the most expensive state for funeral services.

The study analyzed funeral service price data from Funeralocity to rank each state based on average costs across four different types: traditional full-service burial, affordable burial, full-service cremation, and direct cremation.

Minnesota residents pay $9,697 on average for a traditional full-service burial, which is the highest among all states. Across all four service types, the average cost is $6,517. 

Connecticut follows closely behind with an average cost of $6,503 for funeral services, with traditional burials coming in at $9,609. 

Iowa ranks third at $6,358 for all service types, Massachusetts fourth at $6,227, and North Dakota fifth at $6,075 for average funeral costs across all service types. A traditional full-service burial is $9,382, $9,545, and $8,868, respectively.

States in the Northeast and Midwest typically have higher funeral costs. Five of the ten most expensive states for funeral services are located in the Northeast (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Delaware).

The 10 most expensive states for funeral services

At the other end of the scale, Oregon offers the most affordable funerals at an average cost of $4,616 across all service types. 

Washington ranks as the second most affordable state with an average cost of $4,771, followed by Arizona at $4,782, Arkansas at $4,826, and Idaho at $4,878.

The data shows that traditional full-service burials represent the most expensive option across all states, with costs reaching as high as $21,475 in Kansas. Direct cremation consistently offers the most affordable alternative, with prices starting as low as $275 in South Carolina.

Direct cremation prices average less than $3,000 in all states, with many states offering services for under $2,000. Traditional burials average above $7,500 in every state.

New York shows the largest price variation, with traditional full-service burials ranging from $4,900 to $20,625, a difference of $15,725.

Discussing the findings, Seth Bader, spokesperson for Bader Scott, said: 

“Many families are unaware that funeral costs can vary by thousands of dollars depending on where they live. This lack of price transparency puts grieving families at a disadvantage when making important financial decisions.

“Families in the Northeast and Midwest often face higher costs during an already difficult time. These high prices can create significant strain, especially for those without funeral insurance or pre-planned arrangements.

“Families looking to reduce funeral expenses should consider all available options, including direct cremation, which costs about 70% less than a traditional burial in most states. Some funeral homes now offer price lists online, making it easier to compare services without the pressure of making decisions during grief.”