Illinois Funeral & Cremation Costs

Illinois Funeral & Cremation Costs: State Overview

Illinois funeral costs follow a strong urban-rural divide — Chicago metro costs are 20-30% above the state average, while downstate cities like Springfield and Peoria are below the national average. Illinois has historically had some of the strongest funeral consumer protection laws in the nation.

Illinois Funeral Regulations

Illinois does not require embalming. The Illinois Funeral Directors Association (IFDA) and the Illinois Comptroller's Office jointly regulate funeral homes and pre-need contracts. Illinois was one of the first states to require itemized pricing and to ban mandatory package pricing. The state maintains a Consumer Guide to Funeral Planning that all funeral homes must make available.

Veterans Benefits in Illinois

Illinois has 3 national cemeteries: Abraham Lincoln (Elwood, near Joliet), Rock Island Arsenal, and Mound City. Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery is one of the largest and has available space for casketed and cremated remains.