Over Half of Americans Stumble Financially After Losing a Loved One. Are You Prepared?

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Losing a loved one can take a deep emotional and mental toll. Yet, beyond the grief, many are unprepared for the financial strain that follows — from paying for funeral expenses to everyday living costs. The financial fallout can be overwhelming.

A study by the Western and Southern Financial Group shows how prepared (or unprepared) Americans feel about the financial challenges that can come from the loss of a loved one.

Over half of Americans (51%) experienced financial struggles after losing a loved one.
62% of Americans don't feel financially prepared to handle expenses that may arise if they lose a loved one, with Gen Z (72%) being the most likely to say so.
39% turned to credit cards or personal loans to cover unexpected expenses after the loss of a loved one. Gen Z (47%) was the most likely to do so.

62% of participants felt ill-equipped to handle the costs that often come after the loss of a loved one, the survey showed. Women (68%) expressed more financial concern than men (55%), highlighting a gender gap in perceived readiness. While over half of the participants said they have struggled financially after losing a family member, 14% described their challenges as significant, while 37% said they were manageable.

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The death of a spouse can also result in a considerable decline in average income for the surviving spouse, which is particularly difficult for baby boomers (60%) compared to Gen X (51%), millennials (33%), and Gen Z (39%), per the survey. Affording immediate living expenses posed a challenge, especially for Gen Z (41%) and millennials (34%). Many (26%) also feared falling behind on mortgage or rent payments.

Percentage of Americans who feel unprepared for expenses after losing a loved one

To cover many of the unexpected costs after losing a loved one, many of those surveyed relied on savings or emergency funds, with Gen Z leading at 57%. Credit cards or personal loans were used by 39%, and Gen Z (47%) was again the most likely to rely on this method. Less than half, or 35%, used life insurance payouts and 7% turned to crowdfunding platforms, with the highest participation among Gen Z (11%).

Average cost of a funeral

It's not surprising that many people are caught off-guard when it comes to the financial costs of losing a loved one.

The average cost of a funeral can range from about $6,300 to $8,300, depending on whether it includes burial or cremation services. The median cost for a traditional funeral with viewing and burial is around $8,000, according to the National Funeral Directors Association.

Other costs to consider may include a burial plot, flowers, memorial service, headstone and markers, and the obituary in the newspaper or online. There are also legal matters, including lawyer fees and costs associated with selling off assets and real estate or other property, paying off outdistancing loans or bills, not to mention lost wages.

A few financial steps to follow after the loss of a loved one

If you haven't yet faced the loss of a loved one and the financial challenges that often follow, here are a few steps you can take to help reduce confusion and stress when the time comes.

Gather all financial documents. This may include estate planning documents, such as a will or trust, tax returns, utility bills, rent or mortgage payments, bank statements, etc.
Inform agencies providing benefits. The Social Security Administration, Veterans Affairs, and Medicare are only a few of the agencies that will need to be notified. You’ll also want to contact their insurance company if they had a life insurance policy.
Contact their bank or other financial institution. You’ll likely need a death certificate to access the financial information of your loved one. Also, if there is a transfer-on-death (TOD) order, their assets will be transferred to the designated beneficiary.
File the will in probate court. After you file the will, the executor of the will can begin distributing the deceased’s assets per their instructions.
Settle all remaining debt. In many cases, any remaining liabilities, like a mortgage or auto loan, will be payable by the person who inherits them. Credit card balances, student loans, medical loans, and more are typically charged against the deceased's estate.
Prepare a final tax return. The final tax return should be submitted by the next tax filing deadline. Work with a tax consultant or attorney to ensure the process goes smoothly.

Financial planning for life after loss

When you lose a loved one, it’s not uncommon to rely on savings, retirement accounts, Social Security, and any life insurance previously purchased to meet your unexpected financial commitments. However, the survey also points out one glaring issue: Nearly 1 in 3 Americans (30%) have never discussed end-of-life financial plans with their family or loved ones. It’s one of the most important conversations we aren’t having. But you can change that.

For the past 18+ years, Kathryn has highlighted the humanity in personal finance by shaping stories that identify the opportunities and obstacles in managing a person's finances. All the same, she’ll jump on other equally important topics if needed. Kathryn graduated with a degree in Journalism and lives in Duluth, Minnesota. She joined Kiplinger in 2023 as a contributor.