Long Life and Funerals in Iowa: What You Need to Know (2025)

If you'd like to live a long life, there are many places to go.USA Factssays the state of Hawaii is #1 in life expectancy in the US, so you could go there to live long and prosper.

If you're looking outside the US,Statistasays Monaco is the place to be for a long, long life. People there on average live to 89 years old.

Hawaii is costly to move to and Monaco even more so. What if I told you, you could long in Iowa? There is a town where they live quite long lives.

What Age Will Iowans Live to?

As of 2021, Iowa's life expectancy 77.7, years, was slightly higher than the national average which was 76.4 years of age. That number now is closer in the range of the national number since the CDCbumped it up to 77.5 years.

There is one town where that number gets obliterated. For some reason, maybe it's the low level of stress but people there live to the average age of 92. That blows Monaco out of the water. Seriously, get a longer life, Monaco!

Read More: The Iowa Town Where People Live to 92!

What Happens When It All Ends

If you'd like to know what might happen in a few trillion years watch this. Don't let it make you feel like your time here is short because it is.

What is the Average Cost of a Funeral in Iowa?

But life expectancy isn't the only important thing to consider, when it comes time to say goodbye, understanding the cost of a funeral is key

The Iowa Funeral Directors Association says the average cost of a funeral in the state of Iowa is $13,125 and could include some or all of the services listed here.

  • Professional services
    • Embalming
    • Cosmetizing the body
    • Visitation/Viewing
    • Holding the funeral at the funeral home
    • Transfer of remains
    • Hearse and service car/van
    • Memorial
    • Casket
  • Vault
  • Minister
  • Sales Tax
  • Flowers
  • Death Certificates
  • Obituary

Would You Prefer Burial or Cremation in Iowa?

In Iowa, if you're not interested in embalming, you don't have to if the body will be buried or cremated within 72 hours says Nolo.com.

There are benefits to burial says Fiore Funeral Homebut the younger generation is feeling a bit different.

  • Permanent Gravsite to visit
  • The body is more respected
  • Being alongside loved ones

Burial is a fine way to be paced to rest though according to Iowa Cityfuneral director Dan Ciha, he's seen a rise in cremation and a decline of traditional burial.

The rate of cremation vs. traditional burial is almost 70% and he says the shift is the younger generations who he claims look at death in a slightly different way, including but not limited to religion.

Are There Other Ways To Bury Loved Ones in Iowa?

Yes, this is according toNolo, they say burial on private property is allowed in Iowa. You would need to check the zoning laws, for your specific town. They also suggest drawing a map of the property and where the plot or cemetery is and filing with the town so others will know the location in the future.

Canva/TSM

Can You Scatter Ashes in Iowa?

The State of Iowa says you can and can't scatter ashes. You can scatter ashes on private property, in the state, with the owner's permission. You are not allowed on any public lands in Iowa to scatter cremated remains at any time

Long Life and Funerals in Iowa: What You Need to Know (1)

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Scattering the ashes at sea requires you to be at least three nautical miles from shore says the EPA. If you'd like to know more about laws in Iowa about funerals and the like, look right here.

Let Me Show You the Door

It's never fun to lose a loved one. Recently I was in Central City taking photos of the new fire department. Across the road, I saw a cemetery with a nice hill. Death scares me but the memorials sometimes are quite nice.

It's a love-hate relationship.I love to take pictures of the memorials but hate why they're there. Some of them are much too young. Look through the picturesof these headstones, some are from the 1800s and look as if they were placed recently, others not so much.

I don't know any of these people, but if you do, I'm sorry for your loss.No matter how we choose to honor the lives of our loved ones, it’s important to ensure that they are remembered with respect and care.

Mt. Clark Cemetery Central City, Iowa

Photos taken at Mt. Clark Cemetery December 27, 2024.

Gallery Credit: Sloppy Joe

Palisades-Kepler State Park December 30, 2024

Early Morning hours just after sunrise at Palisades-Kepler State Park, I saw a few friendly faces.

Gallery Credit: Sloppy Joe

Long Life and Funerals in Iowa: What You Need to Know (2025)
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