This guide aims to answer some key questions about making funeral or cremation arrangements in Louisiana. We provide an overview of some legal aspects of making funeral plans specific to Louisiana funeral laws and what funeral or cremation costs to expect.
Who is responsible for making the funeral arrangements in Louisiana?
Louisiana law determines who can make the funeral arrangements [Statute § 37:876]. This is determined as:
- you or a person appointed by you, if you appoint an agent (you must make a declaration and sign the document before a notary public)
- your surviving spouse (if you have not filed for divorce)
- your adult children
- your parents
- your siblings
- your next living kin
- a district court judge
Choosing a funeral home in Louisiana
One of the first things to do, especially if a death has just occurred, is to choose a funeral home to handle the funeral services. The Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors licenses all funeral homes in Louisiana.
There are around 500 funeral homes and mortuaries in Louisiana. So, selecting a funeral service provider can be determined by both your location and what kind of funeral services you require. Use our funeral home directory to find funeral homes near you.
Are you looking for a traditional funeral or burial service? Or are you seeking a more contemporary life celebration service or a cremation? Is the cost of the funeral an issue? Are you working on a tight budget and looking to save money where you can on funeral expenses? Do you want the services of an African-American black funeral home?
Having some clear ideas of what you need from a funeral home helps you make the decision of which funeral home is right for you.
Families often seek recommendations from family or friends, which is a good way to get information. However, funeral costs are probably the primary reason many families are now seeking alternative options to their local funeral home.
If you are concerned about arranging an affordable funeral, check out your local DFS Memorials provider, which is committed to offering families low-cost burial or cremation options.
What does an average funeral cost in Louisiana?
The average funeral cost in the U.S. is $7,848 (according to the NFDA – National Association of Funeral Directors 2022), excluding cemetery fees. This generally means that the full cost of a funeral can amount to nearer to $10,000 when cemetery fees are included.
The cost for a funeral can be broken down into several components – the funeral director’s professional service charges, casket, embalming, transportation, and ancillary costs such as flowers, music, prayer cards, obituary, etc.
All funeral homes in Louisiana must have a general price list (GPL) that outlines their service charges and funeral merchandise prices. They must provide a copy of their GPL when they quote you a price according to the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule.
When arranging a funeral, you often end up with a range of charges from the GPL in an a la carte style, which can result in a higher cost than you first imagined. Sometimes, choosing a funeral package that offers an inclusive service and pricing can help you manage your overall funeral expenses.
It is recommended that you DO shop around and compare funeral prices between more than one funeral home. That way, you can be sure that you have a “best value” funeral service.
Who is responsible for paying for funeral costs in Louisiana?
Generally, a person has 2 options – to prepay and pre-plan a funeral or leave enough money for the surviving family to pay for the funeral. If neither of these options has been put in place, then the surviving family is liable for the funeral bill.
How much does a cremation cost in Louisiana?
New Orleans – Direct Cremation $1,595 Phone (504) 215-8264
Baton Rouge – Direct Cremation $1,450 Phone (225) 224-0966
A typical cremation funeral service will cost in the region of $3,900 (depending upon the ancillary services/products you select). This is the type of cremation service that replaces a full traditional funeral. It is possible to arrange a cremation for considerably less than this.
Arranging a direct cremation in Louisiana
This is the least expensive cremation option for families. Direct cremation means that there are no services; the cremation goes ahead once all the documentation has been completed.
The cremated remains are returned to the family in a temporary container. Incremental options, such as a private family viewing or an upgraded cremation urn, can be added to a basic direct cremation package for an additional fee.
Direct cremations are available in some areas of Louisiana for between $1,450 and $1,595. Check your nearest DFS Memorials Funeral Services Provider.
How do I decide between a burial or a cremation in Louisiana?
Choosing between burial or cremation is very much a personal choice. The deceased may have left explicit wishes, or the surviving family may have to make a decision. Faith and/or funds for the funeral service can significantly influence whether a burial or cremation is chosen.
Having a pre-existing cemetery plot can be important, as burial plots can be quite expensive to purchase these days. Cremation is on the increase in the United States and is becoming a popular funeral alternative for many. Green burials are also another option that can be considered.
If you are unsure whether to choose between burial or cremation, talk to family and friends and discuss the decision with your funeral director. Just be aware that a funeral director is running a business and may not always have a completely unbiased perspective!
How do cremation laws in Louisiana affect arranging a cremation?
Each state has its own laws governing cremation procedures. A crematory and/or funeral home must abide by certain practice standards in disposing of human remains by cremation. However, certain regulations can vary by state.
In Louisiana, a cremation can only be performed once a cremation authorization form has been signed by the legal next of kin, and the coroner has issued the cremation permit. There is no mandatory waiting period. A casket is NOT required by law for a cremation. All that is required is a suitable rigid container. A cremation container is usually a reinforced cardboard or plywood box.
To learn more about cremation services, the cremation process, secure ID tracking, cremation regulations, and laws, visit our Ultimate Guide to Cremation.
What can I do with cremated remains – laws for ash scattering in Louisiana
As more families turn to cremation as a lower-cost funeral alternative, the question arises about what to do with the cremated remains. Cremation ashes can be interred in a dedicated cemetery (just as a body can) in a cremation niche or an existing grave plot.
(Do remember there may be opening and closing fees to open an existing family grave plot). Alternatively, the ashes can be scattered.
You can scatter ashes on private property (with the landowner’s consent), and Louisiana Statute 37 §880 does allow for the cremated remains of more than one person to be commingled when ashes are scattered on private property.
If you wish to scatter ashes on public land, you can generally do so unless it is on land requiring a permit. As outlined in our ash scattering section, you should observe common-sense guidelines for ash scattering.
The cremated remains of more than one person cannot be commingled unless a scattering is being conducted by air, in water, or at sea. Louisiana is in Region 6 of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the EPA governs any sea scattering in the Gulf [3 nautical miles to sea]. A form should be completed and submitted within 30 days of the scattering.
EPA Region 6 (South Central), 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas 75202 Phone: (214) 665-6444
Does the deceased have to be embalmed in Louisiana?
There is no legal requirement or Louisiana law stipulating that you have to have the deceased embalmed. However, either embalming or refrigeration is required if the disposition does not proceed within 30 hours [Statute 51 §103].
Therefore, you have choices, and if you do not wish for embalming, you need a timely funeral or a cremation. When consulting funeral homes, you may also wish to check that they can offer refrigeration storage and the daily cost.
Some funeral homes adopt policies that insist on embalming if a public viewing or service is being held with the deceased in repose.
Can I conduct a home funeral in Louisiana?
Louisiana is one of only 10 U.S. states where you legally have to employ a funeral director to conduct a disposition. There is no reason why you cannot still proceed with caring for your deceased, but you will need a funeral director involved and the deceased must be buried or cremated within 30 hours.
If you wish to bury your loved one at home on your own land and establish a family cemetery, you must first check with the parish registrar about any local zoning. Then you file the following forms with the state Cemetery Board:
www.lcb.state.la.us/forms/fbg_app_instructions.pdf
www.lcb.state.la.us/forms/fbg_app.pdf
www.lcb.state.la.us/forms/aod_fbg.pdf
Purchasing a casket or grave marker in Louisiana
Louisiana has made national news with its law only allowing a licensed funeral establishment to sell caskets. Across the U.S., the FTC Funeral Rule has revolutionized the funeral industry, allowing consumers to purchase caskets from a third-party seller that their funeral home must accept.
Now Walmart and Costco even sell caskets! However, the monks of St Joseph Abbey in Louisiana fought and won their case [October 2013] to sell their handcrafted wooden coffins in Louisiana without the need to license as a funeral establishment.
A grave marker cannot ordinarily be erected until some months after a burial. This allows the earth to settle and ensures that the headstone will not subside once erected.
Cemeteries generally have their own regulations that dictate what is allowed regarding types of grave markers. It is wise to carefully check the cemetery rules before purchasing a memorial marker. However, you should not have to purchase a marker from the cemetery if you do not wish to.
Check out our Guide to Purchasing a Casket and Guide to Memorial Markers & Headstones for more information.
Can I pre-plan a funeral or cremation in Louisiana?
Yes, and pre-planning your funeral alleviates the family of both the difficult decisions and the financial burden of funeral expenses. You can make pre-need funeral arrangements directly with a funeral home or purchase burial insurance.
What you DO need to consider is how safely you are investing your money. Although purchasing a funeral plan may secure your funeral wishes, funeral prices are not as fixed as they once were. With the growth in cremation, the cost of a funeral could actually be coming down. Any funds invested into a funeral contract are put into a trust fund.
Another funeral planning alternative is to document your wishes and put aside the appropriate funds in a POD Payable on Death account or a Totten Trust. This enables a family to access the funds at the time of need and make the funeral arrangements, but you keep in control of your monies and any accrued interest.
Read more in our article What is my best and safest option for putting aside money for a funeral.
Can I donate my body to science in Louisiana?
Yes, donating your body to science can be a great way to care for your disposition without any funeral expenses. Most national organizations dealing with full-body donation handle everything from the moment you notify them of the death, including collecting the body, the donation, the free cremation, and the return of the cremated remains to the family a few weeks later. It is worth noting that a donation cannot always be accepted at the time of death, so you should have an alternative plan in reserve.
Check out our Body Donation section.
The deceased had no life insurance – what do I do if I cannot afford a funeral or cremation in Louisiana?
If you find yourself liable to make funeral arrangements for a lost loved one and do not have sufficient funds, this can be very distressing. There is very limited financial aid for funerals, which varies by parish.
In such cases, the coroner may make arrangements with a funeral home, and costs should not exceed the actual minimal cost of a burial. Generally, a fixed amount is set that the parish or state will pay for pauper burial assistance. The state is responsible for the disposition of indigents or any individual who becomes a responsibility of Louisiana. You need to contact your parish human services or social services to find out what help may be available.
A simple cremation is the least expensive disposition option.
How can I transport a loved one either back to or from Louisiana after death?
If a loved one needs to be transported following their death, you will need the services of a funeral director who can arrange funeral shipping for you. This generally needs a funeral professional to coordinate arrangements at the place of death and wherever the body is being shipped to.
Certain regulations do apply on moving a body. Embalming and a transit permit are required, as well as specific containers to hold the casket. The deceased can only be transported in a “closed vehicle designed exclusively for transporting dead human bodies” [Statute 51 §107].
Shipping a body can be quite expensive, so the other alternative you have is to have the body cremated at the place of death and then transport back the cremated remains. Cremated remains can be shipped through the US Postal Service for between $25 – $75.
Visit our section on Funeral Shipping to find out more.
If you do regularly travel for work, pleasure, sport, visiting family, or snow-birding, you may wish to consider our great value Travel Protection Plan. This plan costs just $450 for an individual for lifetime protection against the costly expense of returning a body home if a death occurs 75 miles (or further) from your residence. It also provides global coverage. Domestic funeral shipping can cost from $3,000, and International repatriation can start at around $6,900.
Who should I contact if I have a complaint about a funeral home in Louisiana?
Hopefully, you will find your funeral home’s services more than adequate, as most funeral professionals are very dedicated to their vocation. Unfortunately, though, it does sometimes happen that you may have a complaint or grievance with a funeral home and you do not manage to resolve it directly with the funeral director.
In this case, you should make your complaint in writing to the Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors, who regulate and license funeral businesses in Louisiana. They can be contacted at 3500 N. Causeway Blvd. Suite 1232, Metairie, LA 70002 Toll-free Phone: (888) 508-9083. The complaint affidavit can be downloaded here:
https://www.lsbefd.state.la.us/wp-content/uploads/1.Complaint.Form_.2018.pdf
I hope this guide has helped to answer some of your immediate questions. Please check out our Funeral Resources section for our full catalog of resources to help you through the process of arranging a funeral. Feel free to contact us if we can be of any assistance with any further questions you may have.
Resources:
