How Much Does A Funeral Cost In Louisiana?

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Keisha Smith is a Contributing Writer who attended college at Southern University A&M College in Baton Rouge. She is currently writing a book on south Louisiana culture.

Funeral Costs In Louisiana

In Louisiana, you can typically expect to pay between $6,000 and $10,000 for a funeral. Unlike other regions, in south Louisiana, specifically the New Orleans area, you could face an additional charge due to “jazz funerals” or “second line” processions in which brass bands are hired to perform in outdoor conditions.

You might wonder how the cost of a typical Louisiana funeral might compare to the rest of the nation. Here’s what we found:

How Much Does The Average Funeral Cost?

According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the average funeral costs $7,848. That includes a viewing and burial, which among other things, is always charged separately.

In Louisiana, you’ll find funeral costs that range between $6,000 to $13,000, depending on how elaborate the plans are and what material the casket is made of.

If you want to save money, it’s proven that the way to go is cremation.

How Much Does The Average Cremation Cost?

According to the NFDA, the average cremation costs about $2,550.

In Louisiana, you’ll find similar prices for cremation here. Here’s a breakdown provided by the NFDA that shows how much you’ll pay for added funeral services.

advance charges, such as for flowers or an obituary.

Item	2021	2016	% Change
Nondeclinable basic services fee	$2,300	$2,100	9.5%
Removal/transfer of remains to funeral home	$350	$325	7.7%
Embalming	$775	$725	6.9%
Other preparation of the body	$275	$250	10.0%
Use of facilities/staff for viewing	$450	$425	5.9%
Use of facilities/staff for funeral ceremony	$515	$500	3.0%
Hearse	$350	$325	7.7%
Service car/van	$150	$150	0.0%
Printed materials (basic memorial package)	$183	$160	14.1%
Metal burial casket	$2,500	$2,400	4.2%
Median Cost of a Funeral with Viewing and Burial	$7,848	$7,360	6.6%*
Vault	$1,572	$1,395	12.7%
Total with vault	$9,420	$8,775	7.6%

How To Save Money On A Funeral

To save cash, consider the following steps:

Forego embalming. Many families opt for the embalming process even though they have chosen to have a closed-casket funeral! Why?
Skip the fancy caskets: Funeral directors may try to sell you on a “gasketed casket,” which slows decomposition. Decline it. If you’re burying the body within a week or two, it won’t decompose that much.
Decline the extras: Turn down the carriage funeral, as well as the jazz funeral, as this will significantly add to the bill.

Last Word

Funeral expenses shouldn’t be so burdensome that the survivors of the deceased are plunged into poverty. Taking the steps now to plan the funeral of your loved one will ensure that you save money and still carry out a dignified funeral.

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Keisha Smith

Keisha Smith is a Contributing Writer who attended college at Southern University A&M College in Baton Rouge. She is currently writing a book on south Louisiana culture.