PRICING
Below is our General Price List. Click here to download it to save or print.
An additional aspect of our philosophy of being straightforward in our pricing is that our overhead expenses are part of our basic service charges. Since we charge what we need to up front, follow-on services and merchandise are priced near the actual cost of providing them to you. This means you will not be subjected to upselling or pressure tactics in an attempt to make you spend more, as our fixed expenses have already been met. We can tailor the funeral services to the needs of you and your family, not to the needs of our budget.
Many funeral homes will advertise low initial prices to bring you in, but subsequent items will often be greatly overpriced, aggressively pushed, or part of costly and unnecessary service and merchandise bundles. With our pricing structure, our focus is free to be on providing the best possible service to you, not on our bottom line
General Price List
These prices are effective as of August 15, 2024 but are subject to change without notice.
The goods and services shown below are those we can provide to our customers. You may choose only the items you desire. However, any funeral arrangements you select will include a charge for our basic services and overhead. If legal or other requirements mean you must buy any items you did not specifically ask for, we will explain the reason in writing on the statement we provide describing the funeral goods and services you selected.
This list does not include prices for certain items that you may ask us to buy for you, such as cemetery or crematory services, flowers, newspaper notices, death certificates, clergy/church and/or musician services. The prices for those items will be shown on your bill or the statement describing the funeral goods and services you selected.
Professional Service Charges
Basic Services of Funeral Director and Overhead (Non-Declinable) - $3000.00
Our basic service charge includes, but is not limited to, staff to respond to initial request for service; arrangement conference with family or responsible party; preparation and filing of necessary certificates and permits; placement of obituary notices; planning of funeral arrangements; and coordination of service with cemetery, crematory, vault companies and others as required. Also included in this charge are overhead expenses relative to our facility such as insurance, maintenance and utility expenses, secretarial and administrative costs, and equipment and inventory expenses.
This fee for our basic services and overhead will be added to the total cost of the funeral arrangements you select. (This fee is already included in our charges for direct cremations, immediate burials, and forwarding or receiving remains.)
Embalming - $700.00
Except in certain special cases, embalming is not required by law. Embalming may be necessary, however, if you select certain funeral arrangements, such as a funeral with viewing. If you do not want embalming, you usually have the right to choose an arrangement that does not require you to pay for it, such as direct cremation or immediate burial or when refrigeration or use of dry ice is available.
Other Preparation of the Body (Cosmetics, dressing and casketing) - $ 300.00
Washing, disinfecting or other care of unembalmed remains - $200.00
Use of Facilities, Equipment, & Staff
Visitation (Funeral Home, Church or Other) - $450.00
Day prior to service, or visitation only
Funeral or Memorial Service with Committal (Funeral Home, Church or Other) - $650.00
Includes Visitation 1 hour prior to service*; Committal may follow service or luncheon
*Each Additional hour of visitation prior to Funeral Ceremony - $150.00
Funeral or Memorial Service - No Committal (Funeral Home, Church or Other) - $500.00
Includes Visitation 1 hour prior to service*; No committal, or committal at later date
*Each Additional hour of visitation prior to Memorial Service - $150.00
Graveside Service - $250.00
When held singly, or when cemetery committal service is different day than Funeral/Memorial service
Automotive Equipment
Transfer of Remains to Funeral Home (30 Mile Radius) - $500.00
The charge for additional miles is $3.00 per mile (one way charge only).
Hearse/Funeral Coach (30 Mile Radius) (Funeral Ceremony and transportation to cemetery/crematory) - $400.00
The charge for additional miles is $3.00 per mile (one way charge only).
Delayed Committal (When cemetery committal takes place after post-service luncheon) - $200.00
Delivery Hearse (30 Mile Radius) (Church set-up only, or Graveside Service) - $350.00
Clergy Sedan and/or Service/Utility Vehicle
(30 Mile Radius) -
$200.00
Merchandise
Caskets - $1115.00 to $3710.00
Visit our Caskets page for more information.
Outer Burial Containers - $1625.00 to $4990.00
Visit our Burial Vaults page for more information.
Urns - $10.00 to $445.00
Visit our Urns page for more information.
Cremation Outer Burial Containers - $130.00 to $830.00
Visit our Urn Vaults page for more information.
Alternative Container (Cremation only) - $75.00
Specific Services
Forwarding Remains to Another Funeral Home/Mortuary - $3500.00
This charge includes removal of remains, basic services of staff, embalming, necessary authorizations, and transportation to airport. This charge does not include visitation, rites or ceremonies prior to forwarding of the body. The cost of other than local transportation in vehicles of funeral home/mortuary is $3.00 per mile.
Receiving Remains from Another Funeral Home/Mortuary - $3100.00
This charge includes local transportation of remains from airport to funeral home, temporary shelter of remains, basic services of staff and local transportation of remains to cemetery or crematory. This charge does not include visitation, rites or ceremonies.
Direct Cremations (Price Range) - $3275.00 to $6985.00
The charge for a direct cremation includes local removal of remains, local transportation to crematory, work to obtain necessary authorizations, and basic services of staff. This charge does include the crematory fee, but not the use of facilities and staff for any visitation or ceremony, public or private, prior to the cremation, or cremation approval fees assessed by coroners/medical examiners.
Minnesota law does not require you to purchase a casket for cremation. If you want to arrange a cremation, you can use a cremation container. A cremation container is a combustible, closed container that encases the body and can be made of materials like fiberboard or corrugated cardboard and into which a dead human body is placed prior to insertion into a cremation chamber for cremation. The containers we provide are wood base fiberboard/cardboard.
1. Direct Cremation with container provided by purchaser - $3275.00
2. Direct Cremation with wood base fiberboard/cardboard - $3350.00
3. Direct Cremation with casket purchased from funeral home (excluding price of casket) - $ 3275.00
Immediate Burials (Price Range) - $ 3700.00 to $ 7410.00
The charge for immediate burial includes local removal of remains, local transportation to the cemetery, securing of necessary authorizations and basic services of staff, and use of staff for a committal/graveside ceremony at the cemetery. This charge does not include the use of facilities and staff for any visitation or ceremony, public or private, prior to any committal service.
1. Immediate burial with casket provided by purchaser - $3700.00
2. Immediate burial with casket purchased from funeral home (excluding price of casket) - $ 3700.00
Other Use of Services / Facilities / Equipment
Weekend Service Surcharge - $300.00
Funeral, Memorial, or Graveside Service
Evening or Holiday Funeral or Memorial Service Surcharge - $250.00
Services beginning at 4:30 PM or later Sunday-Friday, 3:30 PM or later Saturday
Livestreaming and Recording (at funeral home) - $200.00
Livestreaming and Recording (remote location) - $300.00
Use of Chapel / Staff Charges
When cremation or burial is performed locally by provider other than Mueller-Bies:
Memorial Service - $1450.00
At Funeral Home, Church, or other location, including one hour visitation and staff
With committal service - $1600.00
Memorial Visitation - $1250.00
Up to Four Hours in length, at funeral home, church, or other location
Memorial Service & Visitation Package - $1750.00
Visitation day before memorial service
With committal service - $1900.00
For bodily donation cases or when prior disposition is outside our service area:
Memorial Service - $950.00
At Funeral Home, Church, or other location, including one hour visitation and staff
Memorial Visitation - $750.00
Up to Four Hours in length, at funeral home, church, or other location
Memorial Service & Visitation Package - $1350.00
Visitation day before memorial service
Miscellaneous Professional Services Only - $650.00
Planning/Printing/Obituaries etc; no funeral home staff at service
Select Costs
Services
The following amounts represent the total cost when including all applicable itemized service options for the selected service format. More service formats with expanded descriptions can be found at the bottom of this page.
Complete, traditional funeral with viewing & visitation the day prior — $6000.00
Traditional funeral with viewing & visitation one hour prior to service only —5550.00
Funeral with visitation the day prior, with no viewing (closed casket) — 5200.00
Funeral with visitation one hour prior, with no viewing (closed casket) — 4750.00
Immediate cremation with memorial service and visitation the day prior — 4450.00
Immediate cremation with memorial service and visitation one hour prior — 3950.00
Immediate burial with graveside service — 3700.00
Immediate cremation with no attendant rites or ceremonies — 3350.00
These figures include all applicable transportation, facilities, service, and body handling charges. Costs may vary from these figures depending on certain circumstances, such as location, sequence, or if evening/weekend services. While the listed prices are generally representative of these types of service, please remember they are approximations. Please see itemized General Price List at
top of page for itemization and specific details.
Merchandise
Solid Oak w/Veneer — $3710
Solid Ash w/Veneer — $3230
18 Gauge Steel — $2505, $2730, $2990, $3185, $3590
Solid Oak — $2360, $3370
Solid Poplar — $3570
Solid Poplar w/Veneer— $2595, $3570
Solid Pine — $2120, $2670, $2970
20 Gauge Steel — $1420, $1570, $1745, $1975, $2165, $2465, $2695, $2795, $2900, $2905
Cloth Covered Particle Board — $1170
Rental Caskets (Cremation Only) — 18 Gauge Steel — $1115 Solid Poplar — $1425
Visit our Caskets page for more information.
Grave Liner (basic concrete maintenance shell) - $1625
Single Reinforced Burial Vault (concrete construction, plastic liner, sealed) - $2050
Single Reinforced Burial Vault (heavy concrete construction, plastic liner, sealed) - $2475
Single Reinforced Burial Vault (heavy concrete construction, ABS liner, sealed) - $3000
Double Reinforced Burial Vault (extra heavy concrete construction, ABS & stainless steel liners, sealed) - $4045
Double Reinforced Burial Vault (extra heavy concrete construction, ABS & copper liners, sealed) - $4660
Double Reinforced Burial Vault (extra heavy concrete construction, ABS & bronze liners, sealed) - $4990
Visit our Burial Vaults page for more information.
Solid Birch - $335
Solid Cedar - $330
Solid Cherry - $270
Solid Walnut - $290, $360
Solid Oak - $255, $290
Marble - $220, $245
MDF - $155, $175, $245, $310
Brass - $135, $155, $160, $195, $220, $235, $245, $250, $255, $260, $270, $275, $285, $420, $445
Rosewood - $100
Sheet Bronze - $95
Aluminum - $70, $180, $255
Polypropylene Plastic - $10
Visit our Urns page for more information.
Economy (Polypropylene plastic, sealed, velour liner) - $135
Grave Liner (Basic concrete) - $295
Plastic Grave Liner (High impact plastic) - $450
Single Reinforced Vault (Concrete construction, plastic liner) - $625
Double Reinforced Vault (Concrete construction, ABS & stainless steel liners) - $930
Visit our Urn Vaults page for more information.
Cash Advance Items
Cash advance items are funeral-related goods and services that are not provided directly by the funeral home, but are instead purchased from outside sources as needed. Funeral homes may not mark these charges up in any way. For your convenience, we can purchase and/or arrange for these items and pay the individual vendors involved; we do ask for payment of these items by the day of the services. Below is a list of common cash advance items.
Certified copies of a death certificate: In Minnesota, these copies cost $13 for the first copy and $6 for each copy thereafter. They are purchased from the state and are needed for insurance, title transfers and other financial transactions.
Cemetery charges: Costs vary among cemeteries. We will assume for this purpose you have already purchased the grave lots from the cemetery. Local interment fees (their charge to open and close the grave) for casketed burial generally range from $1400 to $2000, and for cremated remains it typically ranges from $1100 to $1700. At Fort Snelling, graves, interment and markers are provided at no cost to those eligible.
Crematory charge: The crematory charge is currently $275. This is included in our charge for immediate cremation, but assessed separately when cremation occurs following services.
Clergy/Church Honorarium:
It is customary to offer the clergy or church that is conducting the funeral service an honorarium. This is typically about $300.
Music Honorarium: If there are musicians involved in the service, their fees are normally around $175 each.
Obituary Notices:
Obituary notices are charged by the line in Minneapolis and St. Paul; the longer the notice, the more expensive the price. The average cost for one day's notice is approximately $350-$400 per paper; adding a photo increases the per day cost by about $125.
Flowers: Floral costs vary among florists. Family bouquets usually cost $175 to $400 per arrangement.
Motorcycle escorts: If a funeral procession is planned, at least one escort is necessary to control traffic. Additional escorts may be needed depending on size of procession and distance to be travelled. The charge is $250 plus sales tax, per escort.
Coroner Cremation Approval Fee: If cremation is desired, the cremation MUST be approved by the medical examiner that has jurisdiction in the county in which the death occurred. Most medical examiners charge for this approval and the fees range from $50 to $100.
Luncheon: If a luncheon is to be held, the cost will vary depending on the location, the food, and the number served. Church-provided luncheons typically cost no more than $200-$500, while catered luncheons can cost anywhere from several hundred dollars to over $1000. A good estimate for catered luncheons is approximately $15 per plate.
Miscellaneous
There is often a perception - unfortunately, sometimes justified - that funeral homes will try to “nickel-and-dime” you with various miscellaneous hidden fees and charges. At Mueller-Bies, we believe in being straightforward and clear. We strive to be as upfront and simple in our pricing as we can. We do not surprise you with add-on charges for many commonly assessed items, such as:
One hour visitation prior to funeral or memorial service – Included at no additional charge in our fee for Funeral Ceremony or Memorial Service. Additional hours of visitation after the first are $150/hour.
Register book, memorial folders/cards, acknowledgement cards, and cross/crucifix – These items are complimentary. Other funeral providers will charge hundreds of dollars for this package.
Planning of memorial services elsewhere - In the case of immediate cremation or burial, you may opt to not have our staff in attendance at memorial services held outside of the funeral home. Full assistance in planning and coordinating these types of services is still included in our basic service charges, even if we won't be physically present at them.
Submitting obituaries – We consider placing the obituary to be a basic service, and do not charge to submit notices to the newspaper on your behalf. Obituary charges will only be the exact amount charged to us by the paper.
Online Obituary on Funeral Home Website - We will gladly place an obituary on our website at no charge, with no restrictions on length.
After-hours service calls - Many funeral providers will have surcharges if the death occurs at night or on weekends. Our charge for transportation of the body is always the same, be it day or night, weekday or weekend, workday or holiday. We feel you shouldn't be penalized just because your loss occurred outside normal working hours.
Storage of remains/refrigeration - If it is necessary to store or refrigerate the body for a period of time prior to services or disposition, there will be no additional charges.
Care of autopsied remains - Occasionally the circumstances of the death require an autopsy be performed. This is almost always beyond the control of the family, and thus we feel it is unfair to assess additional surcharges specifically to care for the autopsied remains.
Private family viewing prior to direct cremation/burial – Viewing of the body and paying last respects are an integral part of the grieving process. Should any member of the immediate family need an opportunity to privately say goodbye prior to direct cremation/burial, they will have an opportunity do so here in the comfortable setting of the funeral home at no charge.
Cremation Container – When cremating, a container meeting minimum requirements set by state regulation is required to house the body during transportation and cremation. We include this minimum container in our direct cremation charge. Not only do many other providers not include the container in their advertised price, they may try to sell you an unnecessary, more expensive container as well.
Vault delivery, installation, and tent at cemetery - Included with vault purchase. Many funeral homes will charge these as cash advance items, potentially costing you additional hundreds of dollars. NOTE: Some cemeteries do not allow installation of these items by the vault company and will charge you directly for their installations.
Interest - No interest charged on balances due for 60 days.
"Membership Fees" - We are grateful for your consideration of Mueller-Bies as your chosen funeral provider. We would never charge you a fee to simply place your name on a list.
Guarantee for pre-paid funeral expenses - If Total Funeral Home charges (Services & Merchandise) are paid in advance, they will never cost the family any more out of pocket, no matter how much prices rise in the future. Some funeral homes will charge you a fee to "lock-in" your guarantee - many others simply don't offer a guarantee at all. (Please note that Cash Advance items cannot be guaranteed.)
Common Service Packages
Casketed Burial Services
Direct Burial: $3700
Includes charges for basic services and overhead, transportation charges, graveside committal service, and full memorial printing package. No additional charges for viewing of the body by immediate family, assistance in planning any additional subsequent services, filing of death certificates, placement of obituaries, etc. Does not include casket or burial vault. Involvement of funeral home staff/facilities in any prior or subsequent memorial services also charged separately.
Visitation Only, Closed Casket: $4550
Includes charges for basic services and overhead, transportation charges, basic care of the unembalmed remains, public visitation/wake, and full memorial printing package. No additional charges for viewing of the body by immediate family, committal service (if held at the conclusion of the visitation), assistance in planning any subsequent memorial services, filing of death certificates, placement of obituaries, etc. Does not include casket, burial vault, or committal held on a separate date than that of visitation. Involvement of funeral home staff/facilities in any subsequent memorial services also charged separately.
Funeral Service, Closed Casket: $4750
Includes charges for basic services and overhead, transportation charges, basic care of the unembalmed remains, funeral service including visitation one hour prior, committal (when held immediately following funeral), and full memorial printing package. No additional charges for viewing of the body by immediate family, filing of death certificates, placement of obituaries, etc. Does not include casket, burial vault, or committal at time other than at conclusion of funeral.
Funeral Service with Visitation Day Prior, Closed Casket: $5200
Includes charges for basic services and overhead, transportation charges, basic care of the unembalmed remains, public visitation/wake, funeral service, committal (when held immediately following funeral), and full memorial printing package. No additional charges for viewing of the body by immediate family, filing of death certificates, placement of obituaries, etc. Does not include casket, burial vault, or committal at a time other than at conclusion of funeral.
Visitation/Viewing Only (Open Casket): $5350
Includes charges for basic services and overhead, transportation charges, embalming, other preparation of the body (including hairdressing), public visitation/wake, and full memorial printing package. No additional charge for committal service (if held at the conclusion of the visitation), assistance in planning any subsequent memorial services, filing of death certificates, placement of obituaries, etc. Does not include casket, burial vault, or committal held on a separate date than that of visitation. Involvement of funeral home staff/facilities in any subsequent memorial services also charged separately.
Funeral Service (Open Casket): $5550
Includes charges for basic services and overhead, transportation charges, embalming, other preparation of the body (including hairdressing), funeral service including visitation one hour prior, and full memorial printing package. No additional charge for committal service (when held immediately after funeral), filing of death certificates, placement of obituaries, etc. Does not include casket, burial vault, or committal held at a time other than at conclusion of funeral.
Funeral Service with Visitation Evening Prior (Open Casket): $6000
Includes charges for basic services and overhead, transportation charges, embalming, other preparation of the body (including hairdressing), visitation the day prior to service, funeral service (incl. one hour of visitation prior to service), and full memorial printing package. No additional charge for committal service (when held immediately after funeral), filing of death certificates, placement of obituaries, etc. Does not include casket, burial vault, or committal held at a time other than at conclusion of funeral
Cremation Services
Direct Cremation: $3350
Our minimum cremation service. Includes charges for basic services and overhead, transportation charges, crematory fee, basic minimum cremation container, and full memorial printing package. No additional charges for viewing of the body by immediate family, assistance in service planning, arranging or delivering cremains locally for interment, filing of death certificates, placement of obituaries, etc. Purchase of an urn and/or involvement of funeral home staff/facilities in any subsequent memorial services charged separately.
Direct Cremation with Memorial Visitation: $3800
Includes charges for basic services and overhead, transportation charges, crematory fee, basic minimum cremation container, full memorial printing package, and a visitation/wake held at the funeral home or with funeral home personnel present at a different location. No additional charges for viewing of the body by immediate family, assistance in planning of a formal memorial service to be held elsewhere, arranging or delivering cremains locally for interment, filing of death certificates, placement of obituaries, etc. Purchase of an urn and/or involvement of funeral home staff/facilities in any subsequent formal memorial service charged separately
Direct Cremation with Memorial Service: $3850
Includes charges for basic services and overhead, transportation charges, crematory fee, basic minimum cremation container, full memorial printing package, and a formal memorial service held at the funeral home or with funeral home personnel present at a different location (also includes one hour of visitation prior to the service). Does not include a visitation the evening prior to the service or cemetery committal. No additional charges for viewing of the body by immediate family, arranging or delivering cremains locally for interment, filing of death certificates, placement of obituaries, etc. Purchase of an urn charged separately.
Direct Cremation with Memorial Service, and Visitation the Evening Prior: $4300
Includes charges for basic services and overhead, transportation charges, crematory fee, basic minimum cremation container, full memorial printing package, and a visitation/wake and memorial service held at the funeral home or with funeral home personnel present at a different location. Does not include cemetery committal. No additional charges for viewing of the body by immediate family, arranging or delivering cremains locally for interment, filing of death certificates, placement of obituaries, etc. Purchase of an urn charged separately.
Visitation/Viewing with Body Present, Cremation Afterward: $5150
Includes basic services of director and overhead, embalming, other preparation of the body, informal visitation/wake at the funeral home, transportation charges, and full memorial printing package. No additional charges for assistance with planning subsequent memorial services, planning or delivering cremains locally for interment, filing of death certificates, placement of obituaries, etc. Does not include crematory fee, cost of casket or purchase of an urn. If visitation is at location other than funeral home, additional transportation charges will apply
Funeral Service with Body Present, Cremation Afterward: $5200
Includes basic services of director and overhead, embalming, other preparation of the body, funeral service at the funeral home (incl. one hour of visitation prior to service), transportation charges, and full memorial printing package. No additional charges for arranging or delivering cremains locally for interment, filing of death certificates, placement of obituaries, etc. Does not include crematory fee, cost of casket, a visitation the evening before, or purchase of an urn. If funeral service is at location other than funeral home, additional transportation charges will apply
Funeral Service with Body Present, Visitation Evening Prior, and Cremation Afterward: $5650
Includes basic services of director and overhead, embalming, other preparation of the body, visitation/wake evening prior to service, funeral service at the funeral home (incl. one hour of visitation prior to service), transportation charges, and full memorial printing package. No additional charges for arranging or delivering cremains locally for interment, filing of death certificates, placement of obituaries, etc. Does not include crematory fee, cost of casket, a visitation the evening before, or purchase of an urn. If funeral service is at location other than funeral home, additional transportation charges will apply.
