Medicare does not offer coverage for cremation and other funeral expenses. However, there may be other ways individuals can find help with these costs.
Cremation and other funeral costs can be expensive, and many people may be looking for ways to help pay for those expenses.
Depending on where a person lives, they may be able to find various options to help cover the cost of cremation and other funeral expenses.
Medicare is health insurance for people over 65 years old and those under 65 who have certain disabilities or conditions. It covers medical-related costs, such as inpatient hospital care, doctor’s appointments, and preventive care, including vaccines.
As Medicare is health insurance, it does not cover funeral expenses such as cremation.
However, it will help cover end-of-life care, including hospice care.
Learn more about Medicare and hospice care.
According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the average cost of a funeral with burial in 2023 was $8,300.
The average cost of a funeral with cremation was $6,280.
However, the cost of a funeral can depend on the region:
| Region | Average burial costs | Average cremation costs |
|---|---|---|
| New England (CT, ME, NH, RI, VT, MA) | $8,985 | $7,023 |
| Middle Atlantic (NJ, NY, PA) | $8,573 | $6,498 |
| South Atlantic (DE, VA, WV, NC, SC, MD, GA, FL) | $8,023 | $6,103 |
| East South Central (KY, TN, AL, MS) | $7,615 | $5,858 |
| West South Central (AR, LA, OK, TX) | $7,912 | $5,890 |
| East North Central (IL, IN, MI, OH, WI) | $8,280 | $6,120 |
| West North Central (IA, MN, KS, MO, ND, SD, NE) | $8,755 | $6,713 |
| Mountain (AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, MT, WY) | $7,390 | $5,505 |
| Pacific (AK, CA, HI, OR, WA) | $7,835 | $5,812 |
Cost may be one reason the NFDA projects that in 2024, the percentage of funerals with cremation will be 61.9%.
While Medicare does not cover cremation and other funeral costs, there are other ways people may be able to find help to cover the expenses.
VA
If the individual was a veteran of the armed services, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may provide some financial support for funeral costs.
If the death is related to their service, the VA will provide $1,500 toward burial expenses.
If the death is not service-related, the VA will provide up to $978 for funeral expenses.
Department of Human Services (DHS)
The DHS can help pay for cremation or burial services for citizens who experience financial issues.
The DHS makes these payments directly to the funeral director. It will fund up to $750, depending on the resources available. The individual’s local county assistance office (CAO) will explore the payment type a person may be eligible for. The CAO will check:
- the deceased’s estate
- contributions from relatives or friends
- any other sources payable on the deceased’s behalf
Individuals can contact their local CAO to apply for this benefit or to get more information.
Burial fund
The Social Security Administration (SSA) notes that individuals can have a burial fund in a bank account, other financial institution, or a prepaid burial arrangement.
The SSA also states that individuals can have up to $1,500 in a burial fund without it counting as a resource for their Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
The burial fund account must clearly show it is set aside for these expenses. If the money from this account goes toward anything other than funeral expenses, there may be a penalty.
Medicare resources
For more resources to help guide you through the complex world of medical insurance, visit our Medicare hub.
Medicare does not offer coverage for cremation or other funeral expenses. This is because it is health insurance that provides coverage for hospital care, doctor appointments, preventive care, and other medically necessary costs.
The average cost of a funeral with cremation in 2023 was $6,280.
Other organizations may offer financial help with funeral expenses, including the VA and the DHS. The SSA provides information on how to set up a burial fund.
