How Much Does a Funeral Cost in Georgia?

Georgia funeral homes charge a median of $7,623Median of 24 Georgia funeral homes' general price lists, effective January 2025 to November 2026 (16 CFR 453.2(b)(4))Verified Nov 10, 2026View source for a funeral with a viewing and burial and $2,695Median of 80 Georgia funeral homes' general price lists, effective January 2025 to November 2026 (16 CFR 453.2(b)(4))Verified Nov 10, 2026View source for a direct cremation, before cemetery charges.

Georgia funeral homes charge a median of $7,623Median of 24 Georgia funeral homes' general price lists, effective January 2025 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 $6,420Median of 73 Georgia funeral homes' general price lists, effective January 2025 to November 2026 (16 CFR 453.2(b)(4))Verified Nov 10, 2026View source. Cemetery charges are separate.

Georgia funeral homes charge a median of $2,695Median of 80 Georgia funeral homes' general price lists, effective January 2025 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 $1,650Median of 80 Georgia funeral homes' general price lists, effective January 2025 to November 2026 (16 CFR 453.2(b)(4))Verified Nov 10, 2026View source or less, and one in ten charges $3,695Median of 80 Georgia funeral homes' general price lists, effective January 2025 to November 2026 (16 CFR 453.2(b)(4))Verified Nov 10, 2026View source or more. A memorial service and an urn cost extra.

Georgia funeral homes charge a median of $3,798Median of 74 Georgia funeral homes' general price lists, effective January 2025 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 $6,420Median of 73 Georgia funeral homes' general price lists, effective January 2025 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 Georgia 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 Georgia for a family that cannot pay: County indigent disposition in the county where the death occurred (O.C.G.A. 36-12-5)O.C.G.A. 36-12-5Verified Oct 17, 2026View source. The Georgia burial and cremation laws page has the details.

Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Georgia

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

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Petition for Probate and Letters

In Georgia, the petition asks the Probate Court of the county of the decedent's domicile to appoint the personal representative, whose authority is proved by Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration; every appointment goes through the courtO.C.G.A. § 53-5-15 ("Probate of a will may be in common form or in solemn form or both") — both are proceedings in the probate court; no registrar/clerk appointment trackVerified Sep 8, 2026View source.

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Notice to Creditors

In Georgia, the notice to creditors is published for 4O.C.G.A. §§ 53-7-40, 53-7-41, 53-7-42, 53-7-43, 9-3-36Verified Oct 18, 2026View source weeks in a local newspaper, and creditors have 3 monthsO.C.G.A. § 53-7-41(d) ("within three months from the date of publication of the personal representative's last notice")Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from the last publication to present claims.

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Renunciation of Executor

In Georgia, a person named as executor may decline to serveO.C.G.A. § 53-6-12Verified Sep 23, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.

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Affidavit of Heirship

In Georgia, heirs put their identity on the land records with a recorded affidavit of facts affecting title that states who the heirs areO.C.G.A. §§ 44-2-14(b), 44-2-20, 40-3-34(d)-(e), 53-2-20, 53-2-40Verified Sep 24, 2026View source.

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Small Estate Affidavit

In Georgia, the Bank Deposit AffidavitO.C.G.A. § 7-1-239Verified Sep 8, 2026View source covers estates with personal property of $15,000O.C.G.A. § 7-1-239Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less, presented directly to the bank or other holder, not filed with a court.

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Estate Inventory

In Georgia, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 180 daysO.C.G.A. §§ 53-7-30, 53-7-31, 53-7-32, 53-7-33Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment.

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Estate Closing

In Georgia, the personal representative is discharged by court orderO.C.G.A. §§ 53-7-50(c), 53-7-53Verified 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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Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Georgia

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

How Much Does Probate Cost?

Probate on a $500,000 estate in Georgia costs an estimated $38,748O.C.G.A. § 53-7-6(4) (petition to the probate court for a judgment fixing the attorney's fees and expenses; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 2.1%Modeled estimate under O.C.G.A. § 53-7-6(4) (petition to the probate court for a judgment fixing the attorney's fees and expenses; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.4%Modeled estimate under O.C.G.A. § 53-7-6(4) (petition to the probate court for a judgment fixing the attorney's fees and expenses; 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 Georgia, descendants divide what passes to them per stirpesO.C.G.A. § 53-2-1Verified Oct 21, 2026View source, and the state sets no survival period for heirs.

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What Are the Burial and Cremation Laws in My State?

Georgia allows you to name your own agent in advanceO.C.G.A. 31-21-7(a), (b)(2)Verified 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?

Georgia levies no estate or inheritance taxNo state estate or inheritance tax. Georgia's estate tax was outright eliminated (not merely a $0 federal-credit pickup): O.C.G.A. § 48-12-1(a) — "On and after July 1, 2014, there shall be no estate taxes levied by the state and no estate tax returns shall be required by the state." Georgia imposes no inheritance tax and requires no estate-tax waiver.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?

Georgia imposes no inheritance or estate taxNo state estate or inheritance tax. Georgia's estate tax was outright eliminated (not merely a $0 federal-credit pickup): O.C.G.A. § 48-12-1(a) — "On and after July 1, 2014, there shall be no estate taxes levied by the state and no estate tax returns shall be required by the state." Georgia imposes no inheritance tax and requires no estate-tax waiver.Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; probate assets arrive when the estate closes, 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate.

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How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?

Inherited assets in Georgia 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 ordinary income tax at the state's regular ratesO.C.G.A. § 48-7-20 as amended by HB 463 (2026, AS PASSED) — flat rate 4.99% for taxable years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2026Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.

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What Are the Estate Laws in My State?

Probate on a $500,000 estate in Georgia costs an estimated $38,748O.C.G.A. § 53-7-6(4) (petition to the probate court for a judgment fixing the attorney's fees and expenses; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source and takes 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate, with attorney fees of typically 2.1%Modeled estimate under O.C.G.A. § 53-7-6(4) (petition to the probate court for a judgment fixing the attorney's fees and expenses; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.4%Modeled estimate under O.C.G.A. § 53-7-6(4) (petition to the probate court for a judgment fixing the attorney's fees and expenses; 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 $15,000O.C.G.A. § 7-1-239Verified 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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Georgia Estate Planning Resources

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