Nationally, a funeral with viewing and burial had a median cost of $8,300 (2023, NFDA).
Help paying in Massachusetts
Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) Burial Unit. Up to $1,100 of the unpaid balance, paid to the funeral home. Not available if the total funeral, cremation and burial cost is over $3,500. Call (617) 348-8420. Official page
Medicaid and burial money
MassHealth does not count any burial space, the cash value of burial insurance, or prepaid irrevocable burial contracts and trusts. You can also keep one of these: up to $1,500 set aside for funeral and burial, or life insurance for funeral and burial with a total face value up to $1,500.
Prepaid funeral plans
You can cancel a preneed funeral contract within 10 days of signing for a full refund. The funeral home must put your money in a funeral trust account, or pay it to an insurer, within 5 business days after those 10 days. If the contract is revocable, you can cancel later by certified mail and the trust money must be refunded within 10 days.
Where to complain
Massachusetts Board of Registration in Embalming and Funeral Directing, Division of Occupational Licensure, 1 Federal Street, Boston MA 02110. Website
Plan ahead
A small final expense policy can pay these costs so your family does not have to. Final expense in Massachusetts.
Common questions
How much does a funeral cost in Massachusetts?
Nationally, the median funeral with viewing and burial was $8,300 in 2023 and $6,280 with cremation. Prices in Massachusetts vary by funeral home, so ask for the itemized price list.
Is there help paying for a funeral in Massachusetts?
Funeral and burial payment assistance (Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) Burial Unit).
Who regulates funeral homes in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts Board of Registration in Embalming and Funeral Directing, Division of Occupational Licensure, 1 Federal Street, Boston MA 02110.
Sources
- 130 CMR 520.008(F) MassHealth noncountable funeral and burial arrangements
- 239 CMR 4.00 Pre-need funeral contracts
- Board buyer's guide to pre-need funeral contracts
- DTA: who can apply for funeral and burial payment assistance
- DTA funeral and burial assistance FAQ
- Board of Registration in Embalming and Funeral Directing
- 2023 NFDA General Price List Study Shows Inflation Increasing Faster than the Cost of a Funeral (NFDA)
