---
title: Funeral Costs in Michigan: Prices and Help Paying
url: https://coverfolk.com/funeral-costs/michigan
updated: 2026-10-08
---

# Funeral costs in Michigan

What it costs, who helps families with no money, and the Michigan rules that protect you.

Updated October 8, 2026[Fact checked](/editorial-standards)

MichiganFuneral costs and help

The short answer

Nationally, a funeral with viewing and burial had a median cost of $8,300 (2023, NFDA). In Michigan, between 61% and 70% of deaths led to cremation, per early 2025 numbers from the Cremation Association of North America.

## Help paying in Michigan

**State Emergency Relief (SER) Burial**

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Up to $875 total for burial with a service, $610 without. Cremation with a service $640, without $390. Family and friends can add up to $6,000 more. Apply within 20 business days after the burial or cremation. Amounts in effect since 10/1/2025. [Official page](https://mdhhs-pres-prod.michigan.gov/olmweb/EX/ER/Public/ERM/306.pdf)

## Medicaid and burial money

MDHHS can certify a prepaid funeral contract as irrevocable for people applying for or getting Medicaid, FIP, SDA, or SSI. The most it can be is $16,100 starting June 1, 2026 ($15,870 from June 1, 2025). Each person can also set aside up to $1,500 in a burial fund.

## Prepaid funeral plans

LARA registers preneed sellers under the Prepaid Funeral and Cemetery Sales Act. All money paid for a prepaid contract must be held in escrow, except cemetery goods (80%). A seller can add a fee of up to 10%. You can cancel any time before death with 30 days written notice and get back 90% to 100% of the money and interest, based on the fee charged.

## Where to complain

LARA, Corporations, Securities and Commercial Licensing Bureau, Funeral Directors (Mortuary Science) [Website](https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/cscl/licensing/prof/mortuary)

## Plan ahead

A small final expense policy can pay these costs so your family does not have to. [Final expense in Michigan](/states/michigan/final-expense).

## Common questions

How much does a funeral cost in Michigan?

Nationally, the median funeral with viewing and burial was $8,300 in 2023 and $6,280 with cremation. Prices in Michigan vary by funeral home, so ask for the itemized price list.

Is there help paying for a funeral in Michigan?

State Emergency Relief (SER) Burial (Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)).

Who regulates funeral homes in Michigan?

LARA, Corporations, Securities and Commercial Licensing Bureau, Funeral Directors (Mortuary Science)

## Sources

1. [MDHHS ERM 306 Burials](https://mdhhs-pres-prod.michigan.gov/olmweb/EX/ER/Public/ERM/306.pdf)
2. [MDHHS BAM 805 Prepaid Funeral Contracts](https://mdhhs-pres-prod.michigan.gov/olmweb/EX/BP/Public/BAM/805.pdf)
3. [MDHHS BEM 400 Assets](https://mdhhs-pres-prod.michigan.gov/olmweb/ex/BP/Public/BEM/400.pdf)
4. [Prepaid Funeral and Cemetery Sales Act 255 of 1986](https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-Act-255-of-1986.pdf)
5. [LARA prepaid funeral rights release](https://www.michigan.gov/lara/news-releases/2018/03/05/prepay-your-funeral-know-your-rights-with-prepaid-contracts)
6. [2023 NFDA General Price List Study Shows Inflation Increasing Faster than the Cost of a Funeral (NFDA)](https://content.nfda.org/news/media-center/nfda-news-releases/id/8134/2023-nfda-general-price-list-study-shows-inflation-increasing-faster-than-the-cost-of-a-funeral)