A traditional funeral with burial in Delaware averages about $7,500 to $9,500, near the national ...

A traditional funeral with burial in Delaware averages about $7,500 to $9,500, near the national median.

Direct cremation averages around $1,500 to $2,500. Delaware's cremation rate is approximately 62%.

Delaware requires funeral director licensing through the Board of Funeral Services.

Delaware is a small state with concentrated providers, making price comparison straightforward.

How Much Does a Funeral Cost in Delaware?

Last reviewed: March 2026

Key takeaways

A traditional funeral with burial in Delaware averages about $7,500 to $9,500, near the national median.
Direct cremation averages around $1,500 to $2,500. Delaware's cremation rate is approximately 62%.
Delaware requires funeral director licensing through the Board of Funeral Services.
Delaware is a small state with concentrated providers, making price comparison straightforward.

How much does a funeral cost in Delaware?

A traditional funeral with viewing and burial in Delaware averages approximately $7,500 to $9,500 for funeral home charges, close to the national median of $8,300. With cemetery costs, the total typically reaches $10,000 to $14,000.

Costs vary by county:

New Castle County (Wilmington area). Northern Delaware costs tend to be 10 to 15% higher, influenced by proximity to the Philadelphia metro area.
Kent and Sussex Counties. Southern Delaware pricing is generally closer to the national average or slightly below.

How much does cremation cost in Delaware?

Delaware's cremation rate is approximately 62%, close to the national average of 63%.

Direct cremation. Averages about $1,500 to $2,500 statewide.
Cremation with memorial service. Typically $4,000 to $6,000.
Full-service cremation. Can reach $7,000 to $9,000 with embalming, viewing, and a traditional service before cremation.

What regulations apply in Delaware?

Funeral director licensing required. Delaware requires licensing through the Board of Funeral Services.
No embalming requirement. Embalming is not required by state law. Refrigeration is an acceptable alternative.
Pre-need contract protections. Pre-need funeral contracts must be placed in trust. Consumers have cancellation rights.
Private burial. Delaware allows burial on private property in some areas, subject to local zoning and health department approval.
No casket required for cremation. Federal law requires funeral homes to offer alternative containers.

Ways to reduce funeral costs in Delaware

Choose direct cremation. At $1,500 to $2,500, direct cremation is significantly less expensive than a traditional funeral.
Compare across all three counties. Delaware's small size means you can realistically compare prices across the entire state. Request the General Price List from multiple providers.
Buy a casket separately. Online caskets at $1,000 to $2,000 are often less than half the funeral home's price. Funeral homes must accept outside purchases.
Consider a memorial service instead of a viewing. Skipping embalming and a formal viewing can save $1,500 to $3,000.
Use a VA national cemetery. Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bear provides free burial for eligible veterans.

What makes Delaware different?

Small state, easy to compare. With only three counties and a manageable number of funeral homes, price comparison is more practical here than in larger states.

Philadelphia metro influence. Northern Delaware pricing reflects the higher cost of living in the Wilmington/Philadelphia corridor. Residents near the border may find lower prices in southern Delaware.

Moderate cremation rate. Delaware's cremation rate of 62% is close to the national average, with both burial and cremation remaining common choices.

Related guides for Delaware:

How much does a funeral cost? (national overview)
How probate works in Delaware
How to get death certificates in Delaware

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