What a funeral costs in Minnesota
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 Minnesota, about 63.4% 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 Minnesota
If a life insurer licensed in Minnesota becomes insolvent, the Minnesota Life & Health Insurance Guaranty Association covers up to $500,000 in death benefits and $130,000 in cash value per insured life. Source: Minnesota Statutes § 61B.19
You have 10 days after receiving a new individual life insurance policy to review it and return it for a refund (30 days for replacement policies). Source: Minnesota Statutes §§ 72A.51 and 72A.52
Questions or complaints about an insurer or agent go to the Minnesota Department of Commerce (651-539-1600). Funeral homes are licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health, Mortuary Science Section.
Help paying for a funeral
When someone dies in Minnesota without enough money for a funeral and no spouse able to pay, the county board first checks for prepaid funeral arrangements and otherwise pays for cremation, or for burial and a funeral when cremation goes against the person's or family's wishes or faith. Source: Minnesota Statutes § 261.035
Veterans may qualify for VA burial allowances and a free burial in a national or state veterans cemetery — see benefits for Minnesota 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 Minnesota if the insurance company fails?
The Minnesota Life & Health Insurance Guaranty Association protects Minnesota policyholders if a licensed insurer becomes insolvent, up to $500,000 in life insurance death benefits and $130,000 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 Minnesota?
Minnesota gives you a free-look period of 10 days to review a new individual life insurance policy and return it for a refund. 30 days for replacement policies. Check your policy for the exact terms.
See final expense optionsHow common is cremation in Minnesota?
About 63.4% of deaths in Minnesota 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 Minnesota?
The Minnesota Department of Commerce licenses insurers and agents and handles consumer complaints; its consumer line is 651-539-1600. Funeral homes are licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health, Mortuary Science Section.
See final expense options