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

# Funeral costs in Pennsylvania

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

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

PennsylvaniaFuneral costs and help

The short answer

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

## Published Pennsylvania costs

County average burial costs from $13,267.50 (Pike) to $27,763.80 (Delaware). Philadelphia $21,803.80. Allegheny $20,942.56.

## Help paying in Pennsylvania

**DHS Burial and Cremation payment**

Pennsylvania DHS through the County Assistance Office. Up to $750. Total funeral cost cannot go over $1,500. No payment if other money for the funeral is $1,500 or more. For people who got SSI or DHS cash help. [Official page](http://services.dpw.state.pa.us/oimpolicymanuals/supp/890_Burial_Payment/890_3_Determining_the_Amount_of_Payment.htm)

**City Cremation**

Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office. Free. Used when no family is found or family cannot make plans within 15 days. [Official page](https://www.phila.gov/departments/medical-examiners-office/frequently-asked-questions/)

## Medicaid and burial money

All burial spaces are not counted, no matter how many. Up to $1,500 in a revocable burial fund is not counted, minus the value of any irrevocable plan or small life policy. A plan above the county average cost plus 25% may be seen as giving away assets for long term care.

## Prepaid funeral plans

Only a licensed funeral director can sell a prepaid funeral. Any money taken must go right away into an escrow account or trust at a Pennsylvania bank. It can only be used for what it was paid for.

## Where to complain

Pennsylvania State Board of Funeral Directors, Department of State [Website](https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/boards-commissions/funeral-directors)

## Plan ahead

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

## Common questions

How much does a funeral cost in Pennsylvania?

County average burial costs from $13,267.50 (Pike) to $27,763.80 (Delaware). Philadelphia $21,803.80. Allegheny $20,942.56.. Nationally, the median funeral with viewing and burial was $8,300 in 2023 and $6,280 with cremation. Prices in Pennsylvania vary by funeral home, so ask for the itemized price list.

Is there help paying for a funeral in Pennsylvania?

DHS Burial and Cremation payment (Pennsylvania DHS through the County Assistance Office); City Cremation (Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office).

Who regulates funeral homes in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania State Board of Funeral Directors, Department of State

## Sources

1. [PA DHS Burial and Cremation](https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/for-residents/burial-cremation)
2. [OIM 890.3 amount of burial payment](http://services.dpw.state.pa.us/oimpolicymanuals/supp/890_Burial_Payment/890_3_Determining_the_Amount_of_Payment.htm)
3. [OIM MA 340.7 burial resources](http://services.dpw.state.pa.us/oimpolicymanuals/ma/340_Resources/340_7_Burial_Resources.htm)
4. [OIM LTC Appendix J average burial costs](http://services.dpw.state.pa.us/oimpolicymanuals/ltc/440_Resources/440_Appendix_J_Average_Burial_Costs_in_Pa_by_County.htm)
5. [Funeral Director Law section 13(c)](https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/funeral-directors/BoardDocument-Law.pdf)
6. [Philadelphia ME FAQ](https://www.phila.gov/departments/medical-examiners-office/frequently-asked-questions/)
7. [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)