Use our holistic budget below to calculate you or your loved one’s total end of life expenses.
Adjust the sliders (or type in the boxes) to estimate the total cost.
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Hospital Care
Type of hospital care will greatly impact your budget. For instance, a stay in the ICU is much more expensive than normal inpatient care. Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance greatly help reduce the cost of hospital care.
In-Home Nursing Care:
Medicaid may cover some costs.
Skilled Nursing Facility:
Costs vary based on location. Alaska average is 3 times more costly than the rest of the U.S. average.
Hospice / Palliative Care:
At-home hospice costs much less than inpatient care.
Death Doula:
Prices range from about $20 – $100 per hour based on the amount of training and experience the doula has been though. Patients may hire a doula immediately upon diagnosis of their terminal illness and work with them several hours a week until their passing. Some patients may only work with a doula during their active dying phase which lasts about three days.
Family Travel (airfare, hotel, ground transportation):
Low-end: 1 round trip flight (estimated at $350), 2 nights hotel (estimated at $160/night X 2 = $320), no car rental, food for three days ($30 for food per day X 3 = $90) for an estimated low-end total of $760. High-end: 8 round trip flights (estimated at $350/flight X 8 flights = $2,800), lodging for two weeks for 8 people (2 VRBO rental houses for two weeks, estimated at $500/house/week X 2 weeks = $2,000) , 2 rental cars for two weeks (estimated at $180/car/week X 2 weeks = $720), food for 8 people for two weeks (estimated at $20/person/day X 14 days = $2,240), for an estimated high-end total of $7,760.
Transfer from place of passing:
For local transfers from home to funeral home, costs typically range between $350 – $700. If a body is subsequently moved to a different funeral home, transfer fees range between $2 – $5 per mile in addition to a fee for receiving the body ranging between $600 – $2,500. Additional fees will apply to transfer or ship your loved one out of state or out of the United States.
Sheltering of Decedent
Flat rate for first few days, daily charge beyond 5-7 days. Included for free in many cremation packages.
Embalment:
Doesn’t include washing, dressing, preparing body for viewing, which can add between $95-$400 more.
Finger Print:
Most funeral homes take a fingerprint automatically, and can send it for free. This is cost of engraving into jewelry.
Casket:
Caskets for infants start at around $300. For adults, it starts around $850.
Viewing:
Food and beverages during viewing can be added for a cost
Cremation:
Prices vary greatly depending on the material of the urn, plus any craftsmanship added to it.
Death Certificate / Permitting:
On average, $12 for burial permit, $15 for death certificate
Burial Plot:
Cremated ashes plot typically costs less. The more dense the population, the higher the cost. Double-plots can be purchased for married couple and the like.
Burial Vault:
Prices vary depending on land available/population density
Grave Market / Headstone:
Flat, in-earth grave markers are significantly cheaper than upright headstones. Material also influences price.
Newspaper Posting:
Prices typically range from $5 – $12 per line with lines consisting of 28 – 35 characters with no spaces. Photos typically take up about 15 additional lines. You may also need to factor in lines for your loved one’s name.
Celebrant:
Prices typically range between $200 – $800 based on experience level of the celebrant.
Venue:
Prices typically range between $500 – $3,000 for a basic funeral service. Additional fees between $150-$1,175 may apply for a viewing and/or visitation.
Transportation:
The price to transfer your loved one’s body from the funeral home to the cemetary in a hearst is typically between $150 – $550. A limosine for immediate family member is usually between $75-$550.
Audio Visual Equipment:
If your event requires a sound system for speeches and music or a projector and screen for a slide show or video tribute, you’ll need to factor in Audio Visual (AV) equipment. Prices vary based on complexity of your setup, i.e. size and scope of sound system, whether you have live music or not, # of projectors, etc. but will generally fall within a $500 – $5,000 range.
Musicians:
Prices vary based on various performance details, i.e. length of performance, number of performers, any customization, production provided, etc. Pricing typically runs between $250 for a short solo accoustic performance to $3,500 for a larger configuration inclusive of a sound system.
Flowers:
Prices vary based on size, scope and number of arrangements. On the lower side, we estimate a minimum of $50 and on the more robust end we estimate about $1,000. However, prices may go as high as $2,500 for a very large order of floral displays.
Printed Materials:
Prices vary based on the type and quantity of printed materials. Common items include a funeral program, and large photographs. Prices tend to range between $15 – $500.
Misc Rentals:
Prices vary based on the type and quantity of rented items. For instance, you may need to rent special chairs, an easel, podium and various decorative items. Rental companies typically charge a delivery and pick up fee and charge more for weekends. Rental items tend to range in total between $150 – $3,000.
Photographer/Videographer:
Standard event photography prices range between $500 – $1,500 to shoot the event. The packages photograhers provide in terms of how many shots are edited, printed, etc. varies greatly and should be considered when selecting the best photographer to suite your needs and budget. Standard event videographer typically charge between $1,000 – $3,000 to shoot an event and edit a finished product. Videographers will often provide more than one camera and at least one assistant. If you’re hosting both a funeral and memorial service on the same day, you can usually book a photographer or videographer for both events for combined rate.
Family Travel (airfare, hotel, ground transportation):
In many cases, you won’t incur any travel expenses for your loved one’s funeral. In other cases you may have signfigant travel costs to cover. Low-end: 1 round trip flight (estimated at $350), 1 night hotel (estimated at $160/night), no car rental, food for one day ($30 for food) for an estimated low-end total of $540. High-end: 8 round trip flights (estimated at $350/flight X 8 flights = $2,800), lodging for one weeks for 8 people (2 VRBO rental houses for two weeks, estimated at $500/house/week = $1,000) , 2 rental cars for one week (estimated at $180/car/week X 2 cars = $360), food for 8 people for one weeks (estimated at $20/person/day X 7 days = $1,120), for an estimated high-end total of $5,280.
Planner:
Venue:
May need to ask venue for additional pricing information
Catering:
Buffet would be cheapest option, formal catered dinners with luxury items would be the most expensive.
Rentals:
For chair/table rentals, usually between $1-$8 per chair (depending on style/comfort), and between $6-$12 for tables based on size.
Entertainment:
If entertainer requires additional setup (speakers, microphone, etc.), will be more expensive. Also based on length of performance.
Flowers & Decor:
Usually less expensive than funeral flowers, due to casket sprays being more expensive.
Photographer/Videographer:
Well-known photographers will cost much more. Also price influenced by time the photographer will be present
Accountant:
Based on accounting needs
Estate Planning Attorney:
Complexity of estate plan adds a lot to cost.
Corporate Attorney:
On average per hour, between $150-$500. Cost varies based on attorney’s experience and length/complexity of case.
International Attorney:
Some countries have a limit on how much an attorney can charge, may require additional research.
Notary Public:
Per transaction
Mediator:
Additional case-management fee of $100+ may also be added
Fiduciary:
Or may charge flat rate between $1,000 and $3,000
Estate Sale Commission:
Usually based on percent of sales. Percent of commission decreases with the value of the estate sales, between $5,000-$30,000+ for these percentages.
Junk Removal:
Hauling larger debris makes cost rise.
Movers:
Around $25 per hour per mover. Usually takes 3 movers 4 hours to move a 1 bedroom apartment.
Storage:
Average size around 10′ x 20′.
Moving Suppliers:
Based on cost for renting a moving truck. Add between $0.70-$1.00 per mile driven.
Luxury Item Appraisals:
Typically do not charge percentage of item’s value, only a rate per hour of appraisal.
Auction House Commission:
Usually based on percentage of item’s appraised value. In more premium auctions, may be a minimum of up to $1,000.
Psychiatrist:
Cost is per visit. Health Insurance may reduce this cost.
Psychologist:
Cost is per visit.
Medium:
The more experienced and well-known the medium, the more expensive.
Group Therapy:
Often free when through a local church.
Loss of Wages:
On low end, about a week of lost wages, on high end, about a year of lost wages.
