How Much Does a Funeral Cost in Arkansas?
Arkansas funeral homes charge a median of $4,640Median of 12 Arkansas funeral homes' general price lists, 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 $1,595Median of 35 Arkansas funeral homes' general price lists, effective December 2024 to November 2026 (16 CFR 453.2(b)(4))Verified Nov 10, 2026View source for a direct cremation, before cemetery charges.
Arkansas funeral homes charge a median of $4,640Median of 12 Arkansas funeral homes' general price lists, 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. 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 $4,115Median of 25 Arkansas funeral homes' general price lists, effective December 2024 to November 2026 (16 CFR 453.2(b)(4))Verified Nov 10, 2026View source. Cemetery charges are separate.
Arkansas funeral homes charge a median of $1,595Median of 35 Arkansas funeral homes' general price lists, effective December 2024 to November 2026 (16 CFR 453.2(b)(4))Verified Nov 10, 2026View source for a direct cremation, a cremation with no viewing or ceremony. One price list in ten charges $1,100Median of 35 Arkansas funeral homes' general price lists, effective December 2024 to November 2026 (16 CFR 453.2(b)(4))Verified Nov 10, 2026View source or less, and one in ten charges $2,845Median of 35 Arkansas funeral homes' general price lists, 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.
Arkansas funeral homes charge a median of $2,270Median of 31 Arkansas funeral homes' general price lists, effective December 2024 to November 2026 (16 CFR 453.2(b)(4))Verified Nov 10, 2026View source for an immediate burial, a burial with no viewing or ceremony. A graveside service and burial, with a hearse and the lowest-priced casket the funeral home sells, costs a median of $4,115Median of 25 Arkansas funeral homes' general price lists, 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 Arkansas 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 Arkansas for a family that cannot pay: County-administered indigent and unclaimed-body dispositionACA § 20-17-701Verified Oct 17, 2026View source. The Arkansas burial and cremation laws page has the details.
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Learn moreForms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Arkansas
Free Arkansas forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Arkansas.
Notice to Creditors
In Arkansas, the notice to creditors is published for 2Ark. Code §§ 28-50-101, 28-50-103, 28-50-104, 28-50-105, 28-50-106, 28-1-112, 28-40-111Verified Oct 18, 2026View source weeks in a local newspaper, and creditors have 6 monthsArk. Code § 28-50-101 (6 months from first publication); § 28-50-101(h) (2 years for known or reasonably ascertainable creditors); § 28-50-101(d) (5-year bar from death)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication to present claims.
Renunciation of Executor
In Arkansas, a person named as personal representative may refuse the appointmentArk. Code Ann. § 28-40-107(a)(3)Verified Sep 23, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.
Small Estate Affidavit
In Arkansas, the Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate by DistributeeArk. Code § 28-41-101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source covers estates valued at $100,000Ark. Code § 28-41-101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less, 45 daysArk. Code § 28-41-101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death, filed with the court.
Estate Inventory
In Arkansas, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 60 daysArk. Code § 28-49-110Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment.
Estate Closing
In Arkansas, the personal representative is discharged by court orderArk. Code §§ 28-53-118, 28-53-104(b)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required.
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.
Letter of Instruction
Prepare the letter a bank or insurer requests during estate settlement, addressed to its claims department.
Last Will and Testament
In Arkansas, a will is signed before 2Ark. Code Ann. § 28-25-103Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and the witnesses sign an affidavit at probate instead of a self-proving affidavitArk. Code Ann. § 28-25-103Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Arkansas
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Arkansas: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Arkansas.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Arkansas costs an estimated $27,915Ark. Code § 28-48-108(d)(2) (6-tier statutory schedule on total market value of real + personal property; court may adjust if excessive or insufficient)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees are statutory (set by law)Ark. Code § 28-48-108(d)(2) (6-tier statutory schedule on total market value of real + personal property; court may adjust if excessive or insufficient)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Without a will in Arkansas, descendants divide what passes to them per capita with representationArk. Code §§ 28-9-204, 28-9-205Verified Oct 21, 2026View source, and an heir must survive the decedent by 120 hoursArk. Code § 28-10-202Verified Oct 21, 2026View source to inherit.
What Are the Burial and Cremation Laws in My State?
Arkansas allows you to name your own agent in advanceACA § 20-17-102(b)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, and that designation takes priority over the order of next of kin who otherwise control disposition of the remains.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Arkansas levies no estate or inheritance taxArk. Code Ann. §§ 26-59-103, 26-59-106(c)(2)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.
What Taxes Apply to My Inheritance?
Arkansas imposes no inheritance or estate taxArk. Code Ann. §§ 26-59-103, 26-59-106(c)(2)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; probate assets arrive when the estate closes, 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate.
How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?
Inherited assets in Arkansas 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 state tax on the 50% of long-term gain left after a 50% exclusionArk. Code Ann. § 26-51-815(b)(2)(C) (Act 1173 of 2015)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
What Are the Estate Laws in My State?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Arkansas costs an estimated $27,915Ark. Code § 28-48-108(d)(2) (6-tier statutory schedule on total market value of real + personal property; court may adjust if excessive or insufficient)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source and takes 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate, with attorney fees set by statute as a percentage of the gross estateArk. Code § 28-48-108(d)(2) (6-tier statutory schedule on total market value of real + personal property; court may adjust if excessive or insufficient)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Estates under $100,000Ark. Code § 28-41-101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source can use a small-estate procedure instead.
Arkansas Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering Arkansas probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.
