How Much Does a Funeral Cost in New Jersey?
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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey. 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 New Jersey. 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 New Jersey. 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.
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 New Jersey for a family that cannot pay: Work First New Jersey funeral and burial payment, through the county or municipal welfare agencyN.J.A.C. 10:90-8.1Verified Oct 17, 2026View source. The New Jersey burial and cremation laws page has the details.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.

Death of a Parent
A step-by-step guide to what happens after a parent dies: the documents to find, the certificates to order, and whether probate is even required.
Learn more
Loss of a Spouse
What a surviving spouse needs to do: death certificates, survivor benefits, whether probate is even required, and the tax election that expires.
Learn more
Serious Diagnosis
A serious diagnosis changes priorities. Healthcare proxies, financial powers of attorney, and the documents that ensure your wishes are honored.
Learn moreForms for Planning and Settling an Estate in New Jersey
Free New Jersey forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for New Jersey.
Renunciation of Executor
In New Jersey, a person named as executor may renounce the right to serveR. 4:96-2 (Renunciations)Verified Sep 23, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.
Small Estate Affidavit
In New Jersey, the Affidavit of Surviving Spouse or Next of KinN.J.S.A. 3B:10-3Verified Sep 8, 2026View source covers estates valued at $20,000N.J.S.A. 3B:10-3Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less, filed with the court.
Estate Inventory
New Jersey does not require a routine inventoryN.J.S.A. 3B:16-2, 3B:16-3, 3B:16-6Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
Estate Closing
In New Jersey, the personal representative is discharged automatically once the statutory period runsN.J.S.A. 3B:17-1, 3B:17-8, 3B:15-23Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and no 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 New Jersey, a will is signed before 2N.J.S.A. 3B:3-2Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyN.J.S.A. 3B:3-2Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.
Codicil to a Will
In New Jersey, a codicil is signed before 2N.J.S.A. 3B:3-2Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, like a will, and the self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyN.J.S.A. 3B:1-2, 3B:3-4, 3B:3-5Verified Oct 25, 2026View source.
Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in New Jersey
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in New Jersey: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for New Jersey.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in New Jersey costs an estimated $35,885R. 4:42-9(a)(3) (counsel fee out of the estate); R. 4:42-9(b) (affidavit of services; RPC 1.5(a) factors; no statutory percentage); N.J.S.A. 3B:18-6 (attorney serving as fiduciary)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 2.4%Modeled estimate under R. 4:42-9(a)(3) (counsel fee out of the estate); R. 4:42-9(b) (affidavit of services; RPC 1.5(a) factors; no statutory percentage); N.J.S.A. 3B:18-6 (attorney serving as fiduciary): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.9%Modeled estimate under R. 4:42-9(a)(3) (counsel fee out of the estate); R. 4:42-9(b) (affidavit of services; RPC 1.5(a) factors; no statutory percentage); N.J.S.A. 3B:18-6 (attorney serving as fiduciary): 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.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Without a will in New Jersey, a surviving spouse takes the entire estateN.J.S.A. § 3B:5-3Verified 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 generationN.J.S.A. § 3B:5-4, § 3B:5-6Verified Oct 21, 2026View source.
What Are the Burial and Cremation Laws in My State?
New Jersey allows you to name your own agent in advanceN.J.S.A. 45:27-22(a) (appointment in a will or on the board-approved form)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?
New Jersey levies an inheritance taxN.J.S.A. 54:34-1, 54:34-2, 54:34-4Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, paid by the beneficiary at a rate set by relationship, and no estate tax; 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?
In New Jersey, an inheritance is subject to a state inheritance taxN.J.S.A. 54:34-1, 54:34-2, 54:34-4Verified Sep 15, 2026View source at a rate set by the beneficiary's relationship; 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 New Jersey 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 ratesN.J.S.A. 54A:2-1 (rate schedule, as amended by P.L. 2020, c.94 — Millionaires Tax)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
What Are the Estate Laws in My State?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in New Jersey costs an estimated $35,885R. 4:42-9(a)(3) (counsel fee out of the estate); R. 4:42-9(b) (affidavit of services; RPC 1.5(a) factors; no statutory percentage); N.J.S.A. 3B:18-6 (attorney serving as fiduciary)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source and takes 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate, with attorney fees of typically 2.4%Modeled estimate under R. 4:42-9(a)(3) (counsel fee out of the estate); R. 4:42-9(b) (affidavit of services; RPC 1.5(a) factors; no statutory percentage); N.J.S.A. 3B:18-6 (attorney serving as fiduciary): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.9%Modeled estimate under R. 4:42-9(a)(3) (counsel fee out of the estate); R. 4:42-9(b) (affidavit of services; RPC 1.5(a) factors; no statutory percentage); N.J.S.A. 3B:18-6 (attorney serving as fiduciary): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate. Estates under $20,000N.J.S.A. 3B:10-3Verified Sep 8, 2026View source can use a small-estate procedure instead.
New Jersey Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering New Jersey probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.
