Lifestyle

Lifestyle

Lifestyle

While no one likes to think about death, a new study shows both Georgia and South Carolina are among the worst places to die in the United States.  But, let’s be honest, is there really any good place to die? No, didn’t think so.

But, according to Policy Genius, there are certain states that are worst than others when it comes down to a variety of factors.

“But where you live can have major implications on your quality of life when you’re near death, as well as your family’s financial well-being after you pass away,” Elissa Suh said in her piece at PolicyGenius.com. “Being able to easily settle an estate, for example, can benefit everyone during a difficult time.”

For the study, Policy Genius look at a number of things while ranking the “best” places to die, which includes:

  • Funeral costs
  • Funeral services (number of options, etc.)
  • Green burial options
  • Palliative care (including hospice) options
  • Medicare providers
  • Deaths at home
  • And Probate shortcuts (how easy it is to settle your estate after you die)

When it came down to all of those factors, Georgia ranked 45 out of the 50 states, making it one of the worst places to die.  South Carolina didn’t rank much better, coming in at 43 out of 50.

What led to the rankings? For Georgia, it seems to be funeral home density and green burial options.  And for the Palmetto State, it seems Medicare options and palliative care affected its ranking.

Let’s take a look at the best and worst places around the United States to die, according to Policy Genius:

  • The Top 10

    These are the “best” places to die.

  • 1. Vermont

    Cemetery in Vermont in the Fall

    How’s this for a final resting place? (Getty Images)

    Rank State Final score Funeral costs Funeral home density Green burial Medicare Palliative care Deaths at home
    1 Vermont 71.7% $8,984 72.6 10.3% 8713 100.0% 38.0%
  • 2. Utah

    Rank State Final score Funeral costs Funeral home density Green burial Medicare Palliative care Deaths at home
    2 Utah 70.3% $7,536 24.3 4.3% 8166 92.9% 44.2%
  • 3. Idaho

    Rank State Final score Funeral costs Funeral home density Green burial Medicare Palliative care Deaths at home
    3 Idaho 60.3% $7,288 30.8 3.8% 7108 66.7% 42.0%
  • 4. Ohio

    Rank State Final score Funeral costs Funeral home density Green burial Medicare Palliative care Deaths at home
    4 Ohio 59.7% $7,195 66.1 0.9% 7607 84.8% 29.4%
  • 5. South Dakota

    Rank State Final score Funeral costs Funeral home density Green burial Medicare Palliative care Deaths at home
    5 South Dakota 59.4% $7,748 70.5 3.4% 8973 88.9% 21.6%
  • 6. Maine

    Rank State Final score Funeral costs Funeral home density Green burial Medicare Palliative care Deaths at home
    6 Maine 59.1% $8,999 58.0 4.0% 8880 76.9% 37.0%
  • 7. Illinois

    Rank State Final score Funeral costs Funeral home density Green burial Medicare Palliative care Deaths at home
    7 Illinois 58.9% $7,419 56.2 0.6% 8854 81.6% 32.7%
  • 8. Colorado

    Rank State Final score Funeral costs Funeral home density Green burial Medicare Palliative care Deaths at home
    8 Colorado 58.9% $8,132 22.2 3.8% 9573 80.6% 36.0%
  • 9. New Hampshire

    Rank State Final score Funeral costs Funeral home density Green burial Medicare Palliative care Deaths at home
    9 New Hampshire 58.3% $8,380 42.7 16.7% 8556 100.0% 36.1%
  • 10. Washington

     

    Rank State Final score Funeral costs Funeral home density Green burial Medicare Palliative care Deaths at home
    10 Washington 57.4% $8,620 22.7 2.4% 7544 84.0% 40.2%
  • The Bottom 10

  • 42. Connecticut

    Elm Grove Cemetery in Mystic, Connecticut, in late-afternoon autumn light

    Connecticut doesn’t rank well on the best places to spend your last day. (Getty Images)

    Rank State Final score Funeral costs Funeral home density Green burial Medicare Palliative care Deaths at home
    42 Connecticut 41.4% $9,689 56.1 0.6% 7639 95.8% 28.7%
  • 43. South Carolina

    Rank State Final score Funeral costs Funeral home density Green burial Medicare Palliative care Deaths at home
    43 South Carolina 39.7% $7,512 46.7 1.7% 5891 61.4% 37.5%
  • 44. North Carolina

    Rank State Final score Funeral costs Funeral home density Green burial Medicare Palliative care Deaths at home
    44 North Carolina 39.7% $7,404 45.2 1.9% 6775 67.6% 33.2%
  • 45. New Jersey

    Rank State Final score Funeral costs Funeral home density Green burial Medicare Palliative care Deaths at home
    45 New Jersey 39.4% $9,154 49.3 0.6% 7098 91.8% 29.9%
  • 46. Georgia

    Rank State Final score Funeral costs Funeral home density Green burial Medicare Palliative care Deaths at home
    46 Georgia 39.4% $6,924 37.3 0.7% 7041 65.0% 33.2%
  • 47. New York

    Rank State Final score Funeral costs Funeral home density Green burial Medicare Palliative care Deaths at home
    47 New York 38.9% $10,355 51.7 1.0% 7131 80.8% 29.7%
  • 48. Hawaii

    Rank State Final score Funeral costs Funeral home density Green burial Medicare Palliative care Deaths at home
    48 Hawaii 38.3% $15,203 11.8 3.7% 5079 66.7% 37.4%
  • 49. Texas

    Rank State Final score Funeral costs Funeral home density Green burial Medicare Palliative care Deaths at home
    49 Texas 38.0% $7,148 31.3 0.6% 6173 52.2% 33.0%
  • 50. Alaska

     

    Rank State Final score Funeral costs Funeral home density Green burial Medicare Palliative care Deaths at home
    50 Alaska 37.1% $9,913 17.2 0.0% 14566 42.9% 43.4%
  • 51. Florida

    Rank State Final score Funeral costs Funeral home density Green burial Medicare Palliative care Deaths at home
    51 Florida 30.9% $7,667 28.4 0.8% 4257 64.5% 29.2%
  • Georgia and South Carolina Also on the Most Sinful States List

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