While Kansas is often celebrated for its relatively low cost of living, a new study has found that one major life event could strain residents’ finances more than expected: paying for a funeral.
A recent analysis by Beca Life, a life settlements company, revealed that Kansas ranks as the least affordable state in the U.S. for funeral services. The study compared average funeral costs to average annual incomes across all 50 states, highlighting how significant a financial burden end-of-life expenses can be for Kansas families.
Despite Wichita’s frequent recognition for its affordable housing and general living expenses, funeral costs tell a different story. Traditional funerals involve a wide range of expenses — from caskets and transportation to funeral home services and ceremonial equipment — all of which can add up quickly. According to Beca Life’s April report, these expenses are especially burdensome in Kansas when measured against the state’s average income.
On average, a funeral in Kansas costs $12,586, which is about 53% higher than the national average. Based on income levels, that price tag equates to 18.5% of the average Kansan’s salary, making funerals in Kansas harder to afford than anywhere else in the country. For reference, the median Kansas household income in 2023 was reported at $72,639 according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
Beca Life compiled its rankings by analyzing the average costs of cremations, burials, and related funeral services, using data from sources such as the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Funeralocity, Pew Research Center, and the Cremation Association of North America.
“States where funeral expenses take up a higher percentage of personal income tend to have less affordable funerals,” Beca Life’s study explained. “For example, in Kansas (18.50%) … funeral costs are a large financial burden, making them harder to afford compared to states where funerals cost a smaller fraction of earnings.”
Interestingly, states typically viewed as expensive places to live — like California and Connecticut — actually offer relatively more affordable funerals compared to income levels. “States that have a higher cost of living … tend to manage funeral expenses more easily,” the study concluded, suggesting that higher overall incomes in these states help offset end-of-life costs.
When zooming in specifically on Wichita, consumer-focused funeral pricing outlet Funeralocity reported that the average cost of a funeral in the city is $8,247. Prices can range from as low as $6,400 to as high as $10,735 depending on the level of service selected. Statewide, the costs vary slightly depending on the type of service:
- Traditional full-service burial: $8,640
- Full-service cremation: $6,452
- “Affordable” burial: $5,374
- Direct cremation: $2,553
For comparison, Funeralocity reported that nationwide averages are:
- Traditional full-service burial: $8,591
- Full-service cremation: $6,250
- “Affordable” burial: $5,137
- Direct cremation: $2,202
Most and Least Affordable States for Funerals
According to Beca Life’s report, the five most unaffordable states based on funeral costs as a percentage of income are:
- Kansas – 18.5% of annual income
- Alabama – 16.4% of annual income
- Pennsylvania – 15.4% of annual income
- Mississippi – 15% of annual income
- Louisiana – 14.5% of annual income
On the flip side, the five most affordable states for funeral expenses are:
- Wyoming – 8.1% of annual income
- Connecticut – 8.9% of annual income
- California – 9% of annual income
- Oregon – 9.1% of annual income
- Washington – 9.3% of annual income
A Financial Reality Check for Kansans
While it’s true that residents in high-cost-of-living states often have larger paychecks to offset their expenses, funeral costs in Kansas are disproportionately high relative to income. That reality leaves many Kansans at risk of facing significant financial stress when dealing with end-of-life expenses.
In short, while living in Kansas might save you money on your mortgage or groceries, the cost of a funeral could hit harder than you’d expect. It’s a reminder for residents of the Sunflower State to plan ahead — because when the unexpected happens, the financial impact could be far greater than anticipated.
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