What a funeral costs in Illinois
NFDA doesn't publish funeral prices by state. Nationally, the median cost of a funeral with viewing and burial was $8,300 in 2023, and $6,280 for a funeral with viewing and cremation. Cemetery costs such as a plot, vault, and headstone are extra, and prices vary widely between funeral homes.
In Illinois, about 55.2% of deaths resulted in cremation as of 2020. Source: NFDA 2025 Cremation & Burial Report, state table (final 2020 data)
Federal law (the FTC Funeral Rule) requires funeral homes to give you an itemized price list, so you can compare. Estimate your own total with our funeral cost calculator.
Consumer protections in Illinois
If a life insurer licensed in Illinois becomes insolvent, the Illinois Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association covers up to $300,000 in death benefits and $100,000 in cash value per insured life. Source: Illinois Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association — Frequently Asked Questions
You have 10 days after receiving a new individual life insurance policy to review it and return it for a refund (Counted from the date the policy is delivered; the insurer refunds any premium paid, including policy fees.). Source: Illinois Insurance Code, 215 ILCS 5/224(1)(n)
Questions or complaints about an insurer or agent go to the Illinois Department of Insurance (866-445-5364). Funeral homes are licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — Funeral Director & Embalmer licensing.
Help paying for a funeral
The Illinois Department of Human Services reimburses funeral and burial costs, up to $1,370 for a funeral and $686 for a cremation or burial, when the person who died was receiving (or would have qualified for) programs such as TANF, AABD cash or medical, or All Kids/Family Assist and their own resources fall short; the funeral home or cemetery files the claim. Source: Illinois Department of Human Services — Funeral & Burial Benefits
Veterans may qualify for VA burial allowances and a free burial in a national or state veterans cemetery — see benefits for Illinois veterans. A small final expense policy is one way families make sure the rest is covered; learn how final expense insurance works and how guaranteed issue waiting periods work.
Frequently asked questions
What happens to my life insurance in Illinois if the insurance company fails?
The Illinois Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association protects Illinois policyholders if a licensed insurer becomes insolvent, up to $300,000 in life insurance death benefits and $100,000 in cash value per insured life under state law. Coverage above those limits isn't protected.
See final expense optionsHow long do I have to cancel a new life insurance policy in Illinois?
Illinois gives you a free-look period of 10 days to review a new individual life insurance policy and return it for a refund. Counted from the date the policy is delivered; the insurer refunds any premium paid, including policy fees.. Check your policy for the exact terms.
See final expense optionsHow common is cremation in Illinois?
About 55.2% of deaths in Illinois resulted in cremation as of 2020, according to NFDA 2025 Cremation & Burial Report, state table (final 2020 data).
See final expense optionsWho regulates life insurance in Illinois?
The Illinois Department of Insurance licenses insurers and agents and handles consumer complaints; its consumer line is 866-445-5364. Funeral homes are licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — Funeral Director & Embalmer licensing.
See final expense optionsSources
- Illinois Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association — Frequently Asked Questions
- Illinois Insurance Code, 215 ILCS 5/224(1)(n)
- NFDA 2025 Cremation & Burial Report, state table (final 2020 data)
- National Funeral Directors Association — statistics
- Illinois Department of Human Services — Funeral & Burial Benefits
- Illinois Department of Insurance