How Much Does a Funeral Cost in Alaska?

Funeral homes in 13Median of 883 funeral homes' general price lists in 13 states, effective December 2024 to November 2026 (16 CFR 453.2(b)(4))Verified Nov 10, 2026View source other states charge a median of $6,393Median of 276 funeral homes' general price lists in 13 states, effective December 2024 to November 2026 (16 CFR 453.2(b)(4))Verified Nov 10, 2026View source for a funeral with a viewing and burial and $2,290Median of 864 funeral homes' general price lists in 13 states, effective December 2024 to November 2026 (16 CFR 453.2(b)(4))Verified Nov 10, 2026View source for a direct cremation. No Alaska price lists are in these figures.

Across 276Median of 276 funeral homes' general price lists in 13 states, effective December 2024 to November 2026 (16 CFR 453.2(b)(4))Verified Nov 10, 2026View source funeral homes' price lists from 13Median of 883 funeral homes' general price lists in 13 states, effective December 2024 to November 2026 (16 CFR 453.2(b)(4))Verified Nov 10, 2026View source other states, the median price of a funeral with a viewing and burial is $6,393Median of 276 funeral homes' general price lists in 13 states, effective December 2024 to November 2026 (16 CFR 453.2(b)(4))Verified Nov 10, 2026View source. None of those price lists is from Alaska. The price covers the basic services fee, the transfer of the remains to the funeral home, embalming and other preparation, use of the facilities for the viewing and the ceremony, the hearse, and the lowest-priced casket the funeral home sells. A graveside service and burial with no viewing costs a median of $5,700Median of 709 funeral homes' general price lists in 13 states, effective December 2024 to November 2026 (16 CFR 453.2(b)(4))Verified Nov 10, 2026View source. Cemetery charges are separate.

Across 864Median of 864 funeral homes' general price lists in 13 states, effective December 2024 to November 2026 (16 CFR 453.2(b)(4))Verified Nov 10, 2026View source funeral homes' price lists from 13Median of 883 funeral homes' general price lists in 13 states, effective December 2024 to November 2026 (16 CFR 453.2(b)(4))Verified Nov 10, 2026View source other states, the median price of a direct cremation, a cremation with no viewing or ceremony, is $2,290Median of 864 funeral homes' general price lists in 13 states, effective December 2024 to November 2026 (16 CFR 453.2(b)(4))Verified Nov 10, 2026View source. None of those price lists is from Alaska. One price list in ten charges $1,195Median of 864 funeral homes' general price lists in 13 states, effective December 2024 to November 2026 (16 CFR 453.2(b)(4))Verified Nov 10, 2026View source or less, and one in ten charges $3,655Median of 864 funeral homes' general price lists in 13 states, effective December 2024 to November 2026 (16 CFR 453.2(b)(4))Verified Nov 10, 2026View source or more. A memorial service and an urn cost extra.

Across 780Median of 780 funeral homes' general price lists in 13 states, effective December 2024 to November 2026 (16 CFR 453.2(b)(4))Verified Nov 10, 2026View source funeral homes' price lists from 13Median of 883 funeral homes' general price lists in 13 states, effective December 2024 to November 2026 (16 CFR 453.2(b)(4))Verified Nov 10, 2026View source other states, the median price of an immediate burial, a burial with no viewing or ceremony, is $3,500Median of 780 funeral homes' general price lists in 13 states, effective December 2024 to November 2026 (16 CFR 453.2(b)(4))Verified Nov 10, 2026View source. None of those price lists is from Alaska. A graveside service and burial, with a hearse and the lowest-priced casket the funeral home sells, costs a median of $5,700Median of 709 funeral homes' general price lists in 13 states, effective December 2024 to November 2026 (16 CFR 453.2(b)(4))Verified Nov 10, 2026View source. Neither figure includes the cemetery's charges for the plot, opening and closing the grave, or the marker.

Yes. Under federal law, a funeral home must give a general price list16 CFR 453.2(b)(4)Verified Nov 9, 2026View source to anyone who asks in person about its goods, services or prices. The list is printed, shows the date its prices took effect, and is handed over at the start of that conversation. It prices each item separately, so the same items can be compared from one funeral home to the next. The Alaska funeral home directory links to the price list of each funeral home that posts one.

A funeral home's price list covers only the funeral home's own goods and services. The cemetery charges separately for the plot, opening and closing the grave, and the marker. Anything the funeral home pays others on the family's behalf is added to the bill: a separate crematory's fee, clergy, an obituary and flowers. There is a public program in Alaska for a family that cannot pay: Alaska General Relief Assistance (GRA) burial assistance, Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public AssistanceAS 47.25.120-47.25.300Verified Oct 17, 2026View source. The Alaska burial and cremation laws page has the details.

Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Alaska

Free Alaska forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Alaska.

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Petition for Probate and Letters

In Alaska, the petition asks the Superior Court for the State of Alaska to appoint the personal representative, whose authority is proved by Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration; an informal (registrar) track is availableAS 13.16.085, AS 13.16.110Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.

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Notice to Creditors

In Alaska, the notice to creditors is published for 3AS 13.16.450, 13.16.460, 13.16.465, 13.16.470, 13.16.475Verified Oct 18, 2026View source weeks in a local newspaper, and creditors have 4 monthsAS 13.16.460Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication to present claims.

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Renunciation of Executor

In Alaska, a person named as personal representative may renounce the right to serveAS 13.16.065(c)Verified Sep 22, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.

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Small Estate Affidavit

In Alaska, the Affidavit for Collection of Personal PropertyAS 13.16.690Verified Sep 8, 2026View source covers estates with personal property of $150,000AS 13.16.690Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less, 30 daysAS 13.16.690Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death, presented directly to the bank or other holder, not filed with a court.

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Estate Inventory

In Alaska, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysAS 13.16.365, 13.16.370, 13.16.375Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment.

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Estate Closing

In Alaska, the personal representative is discharged automatically once the statutory period runsAS 13.16.630(b), 13.16.640Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required unless it is waived.

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IRS Form 1310

Claim a refund due a deceased taxpayer on the official form, on the box the form routes you to, with what the form says to attach.

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Letter of Instruction

Prepare the letter a bank or insurer requests during estate settlement, addressed to its claims department.

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Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Alaska

Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Alaska: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Alaska.

How Much Does Probate Cost?

Probate on a $500,000 estate in Alaska costs an estimated $27,032AS 13.16.440 (court reviews reasonableness of compensation paid to agents/attorneys employed by the estate; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 2.1%Modeled estimate under AS 13.16.440 (court reviews reasonableness of compensation paid to agents/attorneys employed by the estate; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.3%Modeled estimate under AS 13.16.440 (court reviews reasonableness of compensation paid to agents/attorneys employed by the estate; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.

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Who Inherits Without a Will?

Without a will in Alaska, a surviving spouse takes the entire estateAS § 13.12.102Verified Oct 21, 2026View source when every child of either spouse is a child of both, and descendants divide what passes to them per capita at each generationAS § 13.12.106Verified Oct 21, 2026View source.

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What Are the Burial and Cremation Laws in My State?

Alaska allows you to name your own agent in advanceAS 13.75.010; AS 13.75.030Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, and that designation takes priority over the order of next of kin who otherwise control disposition of the remains.

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How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?

Alaska levies no estate or inheritance taxAlaska levies no estate or inheritance tax. AS 43.31.011 (Estate Tax Law of Alaska) remains on the books but is an inert "pickup" tax — its amount is measured by "the credit allowable under the applicable federal revenue Act for estate, inheritance, legacy, and succession taxes actually paid to the several states," and that federal credit no longer exists, so the tax computes to $0. AS 43.31.400 keeps the chapter nominally operative so long as a federal estate tax exists, so this is an inert pickup rather than a repeal. Alaska Department of Revenue: "Alaska no longer has an estate tax. Alaska did have one until Jan. 1, 2005. The state estate tax was tied to the federal state death tax credit, and that credit was phased out in 2005." Alaska has no inheritance tax: AS 43.30 (Inheritance and Transfer Taxes) was repealed in full by § 1, ch. 24, SLA 1970, and the DOR tax-type list carries no inheritance tax program. Verified 2026-09-10.Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; only the federal estate tax applies above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.

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What Taxes Apply to My Inheritance?

Alaska imposes no inheritance or estate taxAlaska levies no estate or inheritance tax. AS 43.31.011 (Estate Tax Law of Alaska) remains on the books but is an inert "pickup" tax — its amount is measured by "the credit allowable under the applicable federal revenue Act for estate, inheritance, legacy, and succession taxes actually paid to the several states," and that federal credit no longer exists, so the tax computes to $0. AS 43.31.400 keeps the chapter nominally operative so long as a federal estate tax exists, so this is an inert pickup rather than a repeal. Alaska Department of Revenue: "Alaska no longer has an estate tax. Alaska did have one until Jan. 1, 2005. The state estate tax was tied to the federal state death tax credit, and that credit was phased out in 2005." Alaska has no inheritance tax: AS 43.30 (Inheritance and Transfer Taxes) was repealed in full by § 1, ch. 24, SLA 1970, and the DOR tax-type list carries no inheritance tax program. Verified 2026-09-10.Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; probate assets arrive when the estate closes, 4 months to 6 months for a simple estate.

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How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?

Inherited assets in Alaska take a basis reset to fair market value on the date of death26 USC § 1014Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the gain on a later sale faces no state capital gains taxAS 43.20.012(a) (Limitation on application of chapter) — "The tax imposed by this chapter does not apply to (1) an individual; (2) a fiduciary"Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.

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What Are the Estate Laws in My State?

Probate on a $500,000 estate in Alaska costs an estimated $27,032AS 13.16.440 (court reviews reasonableness of compensation paid to agents/attorneys employed by the estate; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source and takes 4 months to 6 months for a simple estate, with attorney fees of typically 2.1%Modeled estimate under AS 13.16.440 (court reviews reasonableness of compensation paid to agents/attorneys employed by the estate; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.3%Modeled estimate under AS 13.16.440 (court reviews reasonableness of compensation paid to agents/attorneys employed by the estate; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate. Estates under $150,000AS 13.16.690Verified Sep 8, 2026View source can use a small-estate procedure instead.

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When Do I Have to Withdraw an Inherited IRA?

See which federal withdrawal rules apply to an inherited IRA, Roth IRA, or employer plan, the deadline year, and the missed-withdrawal tax.

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Alaska Estate Planning Resources

In-depth guides covering Alaska probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.