Funeral Planning Costs Less in Arizona

Sadly, it is not uncommon to see pleas for help with funeral costs in our social media feeds and on local news these days. Funerals can be very expensive and it is not a planned cost. It is also asking for a decision (and rightly so) during a highly emotional time as well. Sometimes choices are made without any direction from the deceased and families may struggle and make some budget busting decisions. Again, this is understandable for families planning a service, which is stressful and upsetting. One bit of good news is that according to an article in the East Valley Tribune, burying a loved one in Arizona will cost less than in other states.

In the last 30 years, the price of funerals has risen 227% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. “The national median cost of a funeral, which includes viewing and burial services, is $7,360, according to recent data from the National Funeral Directors Association. However, the group of states labeled the Mountain Region, which includes Arizona, has a median cost of $6,681.”

According to the article, the Arizona Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers, attributes this to the fact that AZ has a higher than average cremation rate, which costs less than $600.

All of this is important to note as you are making your estate plan. Though it is not something anyone wants to consider or discuss, giving your family an idea of what to plan for will help them make good, economical choices and ease the stress of such a tough choice during a difficult time.