Massachusetts Can Help With Funeral and Burial Expenses

The cost of living is expensive, and the cost of dying can also be burdensome, especially if you or the person whose funeral you are left to plan has limited resources and no life insurance policy to count on.

The average funeral in Massachusetts typically ranges from $7,000 to $13,000. Funeralocity.com says a "traditional full-service burial" costs between $6,970 and $13,170, with an average cost of $9,545.

Funeralocity.com bills itself as "the leading consumer advocate website for families who are planning a loved one's funeral or cremation, pre-planning for themselves for the future, or simply seeking information."

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An affordable burial (direct or immediate) is the burial of a body without embalming, viewing, or services."

"It includes basic services fee and transportation of the body from the place of death to the cemetery. The cost of a basic casket is included," according to the site.

In Massachusetts, an affordable burial will cost between $3,300 and $8,915, with an average expense of $5,535.

A full cremation is around $7,000 on average, while a direct cremation will average $2,720.

As I stated, the cost of dying can also be burdensome, especially if you or the person whose funeral you are left to plan has limited resources and no life insurance policy to count on. There may be help available.

The Massachusetts Department of Health & Human Services can help eligible persons with funeral and burial expenses.

HHS says, "If a person lived in Massachusetts at the time of their death and there are not enough resources to pay for the funeral and burial costs, you can apply for payment assistance."

"In order to be eligible for funeral and burial payment assistance, the total cost of the funeral can't be more than $3,500," according to HHS. "Most funeral homes are familiar with this payment assistance and can help you fill out the application."

Funeral and burial assistance is available for qualified U.S. veterans. Information is available on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.