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Achieving ethical pricing for you

Advocacy

Price Survey

Price Survey

In 2022, People's Memorial conducted its biennial survey of Washington State funeral home pricing. We surveyed 209 Washington Funeral homes: the most we've ever surveyed!

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to have cremation and burial pricing available to consumers online remains incredibly important. Washington State funeral homes are leading the nation in this increasing transparency with 54% of funeral homes include at least partial pricing on their websites compared to 18% nationally (2022 national survey conducted by the Consumer Federation of America and the Funeral Consumer Alliance). This is up from 51% in 2020 and 27% in 2016 in Washington State. 15% either declined to provide their general price list or didn't respond to our request. 

Top Findings:

  • Direct Cremation prices vary by 770%. The average cost for Direct Cremation in the state is $1,658 and ranges from $495 to $4,315.
  • Direct Burial prices vary by 440%. The average price of Direct Burial is $3,167, with prices ranging from $1,235 to $6,690. 
  • Complete Funeral Service prices vary by 380%. A Complete Funeral Service averages $5,674, with prices ranging from $2,515 to $12,110.
  • NEW! Aquamation prices vary by 300%. The average cost for Aquamation is $2,090, with prices ranging from $995 to $3,995.
  • NEW! Natural organic reduction prices range from $3,795 to $7,000. *It's important to contact the facility or funeral home and ask them if the cost includes the laying-in ceremony. Not all providers are separating those services in their list price.
  • 20% of funeral homes didn’t provide pricing (requiring a personal visit or didn’t respond to emails or phone calls) versus 6% in 2020 and 31% in 2018.

Top Findings by County:

  • King County: The average price for Direct Cremation is $1,722, Direct Burial is $3,025, Complete Funeral Services is $5,725, and Aquamation is $1,972.
  • Pierce County: The average price for Direct Cremation is $1,258, Direct Burial is $2,602, Complete Funeral Services is $5,269, and Aquamation is $2,050.
  • Snohomish County: The average price for Direct Cremation is $1,670, Direct Burial is $3,734, Complete Funeral Services is $7,126, and Aquamation is $2,280.
  • Spokane County: The average price for Direct Cremation is $1,769, Direct Burial is $3,949, Complete Funeral Services is $6,150, and Aquamation is $2,085.

The study reinforces the importance of consumers shopping around and planning ahead to assure that they receive the final arrangements that they want at a price they can afford.

The 2022 survey includes Washington State funeral homes that handled 9 or more cases in 2021 according to Washington's Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS).

Direct Cremation pricing includes: basic services of funeral director and staff, transport of body to funeral home including additional charges for home removal if needed, refrigeration for up to five days, crematory fees, alternative container/basic cremation tray, and basic urn/temporary container for cremated remains.

Direct Burial pricing includes: basic services of funeral director and staff, transport of body to funeral home including additional charges for home removal if needed, refrigeration for up to five days, local delivery to cemetery, and a basic/minimum casket.

Complete Funeral Service includes: basic services of funeral director and staff, transport of body to funeral home including additional charges for home removal if needed, refrigeration for up to five days, embalming, dressing, casketing, cosmetology, viewing or visitation, funeral service, graveside or commital service, transportation by hearse or funeral coach to the cemetery, and a basic/minimum casket.

Aquamation pricing includes: basic services of funeral director and staff, transport of body to funeral home including additional charges for home removal if needed, refrigeration for up to five days, aquamation fees, and basic urn/temporary container for cremated remains. *Note an alternative container is not needed for aquamation.

Natural organic reduction (NOR) pricing includes: basic services of funeral director and staff, transport of body to the care facility, refrigeration, dressing of the body in a compostable garment, the NOR process, and delivery of any excess soil to conservation property. *Unless noted, this price does not include visitation or a ceremony prior to the NOR process.

View previous year's price surveys:

For questions, please email info@peoplesmemorial.org

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