8 PRICES TRACKED
Funeral home basic services fee
The non-declinable fee every funeral home charges just to take the case, on top of everything else. The number most worth comparing between homes.
Every price we track (hover a dot)
| Year | Region | Provider | What it was | List | Paid | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Texas | Independent | Services of Funeral Director and StaffCovers staff response, arrangement conferences, permit filing, obituary preparation, and facility overhead. Funeral home in Lewisville, Texas. | $1,500 | — | source |
| 2025 | Ohio | Independent | Basic services feeHodapp Funeral Homes (Cincinnati area, OH) GPL - basic services of funeral director and staff | $1,795 | — | source |
| 2026 | Florida | Independent | Basic Services of Funeral Director and StaffFuneral home in Dade City, Florida. Fee is included in the funeral home direct cremation and immediate burial package prices. | $1,945 | — | source |
| 2026 | Virginia | Independent | Basic services feeSturtevant Funeral Home & Crematory (Portsmouth, VA) GPL - basic services of funeral director and staff | $2,100 | — | source |
| 2023 | US unspecified | Unknown | Funeral home basic services feeChoice Mutual non-declinable basic services fee, national | $2,495 | — | source |
| 2026 | Minnesota | Independent | Basic Services of Funeral Director and OverheadListed as non-declinable on the funeral home general price list. | $3,000 | — | source |
| 2025 | Pennsylvania | Independent | Basic services feeKreamer Funeral Home & Crematory (Annville, PA) GPL - basic services of funeral director and staff | $3,770 | — | source |
| 2025 | Florida | Unknown | Funeral home basic services feeParting Stone typical funeral home service fees, Florida (approx) | $4,000 | — | source |
Common questions
How much does basic services fee cost in the US?
Across 8 real US prices, the median is $2,298, ranging from $1,500 to $4,000. These are published General Price List figures and bills families actually paid, not estimates.
Why do basic services fee prices vary so much?
Funeral homes set their own fees, and third-party costs like the cemetery plot or crematory vary by state. A national chain and a local independent can be thousands apart for the same service.
How can I pay less for basic services fee?
Ask several funeral homes for their General Price List (they must give it to you under the FTC Funeral Rule), compare the basic services fee, consider a direct cremation, and buy your own casket if you want. You are never obliged to accept the first quote.
Related free guides
- What is the funeral home basic services fee, and how much is it? →
- Funeral upsells you can decline under the Funeral Rule →
- The Funeral Rule: your right to an itemized price list →
- How much does a direct cremation cost? →
- How much does a cremation with a service cost? →
- How much does a traditional burial funeral cost? →
Methodology: prices here are figures from funeral homes' General Price Lists (required by the FTC Funeral Rule) and bills families reported paying. Each row says which it is, with a link to the source where one exists. We never estimate and no sponsor can touch a number.