What a funeral costs in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts, about 51.5% 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 Massachusetts
If a life insurer licensed in Massachusetts becomes insolvent, the Massachusetts Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association covers up to $300,000 in death benefits and $100,000 in cash value per insured life. Source: Massachusetts Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association: FAQ
You have 10 days after receiving a new individual life insurance policy to review it and return it for a refund (At least 10 days after the policy is delivered). Source: Massachusetts Division of Insurance: Life Insurance Basics
Questions or complaints about an insurer or agent go to the Massachusetts Division of Insurance (617-521-7794). Funeral homes are licensed by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Embalming and Funeral Directing.
Help paying for a funeral
When a person who lived in Massachusetts dies without enough resources to pay for the funeral, the Department of Transitional Assistance may pay up to $1,100 of the outstanding balance directly to the funeral home, but only if the total cost of the funeral, cremation, and burial is no more than $3,500. Source: Mass.gov: Who can apply for funeral and burial payment assistance
Veterans may qualify for VA burial allowances and a free burial in a national or state veterans cemetery — see benefits for Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts if the insurance company fails?
The Massachusetts Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association protects Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts?
Massachusetts gives you a free-look period of 10 days to review a new individual life insurance policy and return it for a refund. At least 10 days after the policy is delivered. Check your policy for the exact terms.
See final expense optionsHow common is cremation in Massachusetts?
About 51.5% of deaths in Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts Division of Insurance licenses insurers and agents and handles consumer complaints; its consumer line is 617-521-7794. Funeral homes are licensed by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Embalming and Funeral Directing.
See final expense optionsSources
- Massachusetts Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association: FAQ
- Massachusetts Division of Insurance: Life Insurance Basics
- NFDA 2025 Cremation & Burial Report, state table (final 2020 data)
- National Funeral Directors Association — statistics
- Mass.gov: Who can apply for funeral and burial payment assistance
- Massachusetts Division of Insurance