Cremation Cost

Cremation is typically cheaper and more affordable when compared to burial. Although the cost of cremation and burial can vary by state and service, cremation is often favored over burial as a cost-effective option for those with financial limitations. Depending on the services that are included with the cremation or burial, the cost of both options may also be similar. Since many of the offered items or services are optional with cremation, removing any non-essentials will make the cost of the cremation significantly cheaper when compared to the burial.

As an example, the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) determined that the national median cost of a funeral with viewing and burial was $9,420 in 2021. In comparison, the national median cost of a funeral with viewing and cremation was $6,970. If the family of the person who died decided that they didn’t want to use the recommended cremation casket and found a more affordable alternative, they spent $1,310 less, which reduced the cost of cremation to $5,660. It is also worth noting that the NFDA’s calculation for the median cost of a funeral with viewing and cremation includes the cost of embalming, use of facilities for viewing, and other items. Each of these services can cost hundreds of dollars and many families choose to skip options such as embalming or viewings when they opt to cremate their loved one, which further emphasizes the affordability of cremation. 

Another reason why burials tend to be more expensive when compared to cremations is that many of the items and services are viewed as being essential to the funeral or viewing. Burial vaults, grave liners, use of the funeral home for viewings, the casket, the preparation of the body, and transporting the body can often cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. There are usually some services with negotiable costs, but these can vary among facilities, and some funeral homes may not offer cheaper alternatives. Individuals who are interested in burials are generally encouraged to seek caskets from third-party vendors and contact several funeral homes to request an itemized list of their fees. Options such as pre-planning can also help reduce the cost of funerals and burials over an extended period of time by allowing people to avoid inflation by paying for their services in advance. 

Sources

“2021 NFDA General Price List Study Shows Funeral Costs Not Rising as Fast as Rate of Inflation”. National Funeral Directors Association. https://nfda.org/news/media-center/nfda-news-releases/id/6182/2021-nfda-general-price-list-study-shows-funeral-costs-not-rising-as-fast-as-rate-of-inflation 

“15 Simple Ways to Have a Cheap Funeral”. Cremation Institute. https://cremationinstitute.com/cheap-funeral/ 

On average, a cremation, including a memorial service and viewing, costs around $6,970. If direct cremation is selected instead of opting to include a memorial service, the average cost can decrease to approximately $2,183. The total cost of cremation varies by state. It can range as high as $7,560 for a cremation with a service and viewing in Nebraska and $3,183 for direct cremation in North Dakota. 

When considering the costs of cremation, it is crucial to consider the other products and services often offered with it. For example, services provided by the funeral home, such as arrangements and coordination of permits, can range from $1,700 to $5,000. Embalming is typically optional but may be selected if a viewing is planned and can range from $150 to $1,000. If the family rents a casket for the viewing, it can cost $500 to $1,500. If the family chooses to purchase a cremation casket instead, it can cost $700 to $1,500 in comparison. 

Finally, flower arrangements can range from $70 to $350, and urns range from $50 to $2,000. 

Choosing not to opt into all of the services or products offered is one way to reduce the costs associated with cremation. Another option worth consideration is to use third-party vendors for options such as cremation caskets and urns, which can be significantly cheaper than the prices commonly offered by the funeral home or crematory. Aiming for more green options and skipping embalming can also reduce overall expenses. However, this varies by state law and business practices among funeral homes; hence, it is encouraged to select a provider that offers refrigeration and a viewing within a few days of death if opting not to embalm.

Sources

“How Much Does Cremation Cost?” Choice Mutual. https://choicemutual.com/blog/cremation-cost/ 

“Cost of Cremation – The Average Cost of Cremation & Burials in the United States”. The Living Urn. https://www.thelivingurn.com/blogs/news/how-much-does-it-cost-to-cremate 

Whether you are looking to arrange cremation for yourself or planning cremation for a loved one who has died, comparison shopping is always a good idea. Start by choosing the kind of service provider that will best suit your needs. A funeral home will typically be the most expensive option, but if you want more than a simple cremation (for instance, a viewing, visitation or service) working with a funeral home might be your best bet. On the other hand, if you want only direct cremation, a cremation retailer can typically provide cremation, transportation of the body and a simple burial container at a lower cost. You may also be able to work directly with a crematorium, although finding a crematorium that works with the public can be hard. If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, check out our Local Venues and Services section to find service providers near you.

Once you’ve decided on the kind of cremation service provider you want to hire, do some shopping online. Most funeral homes and cremation retailers maintain a website, and many post their prices online. (This will usually be labeled as the General Price List or GPL). Keep in mind, however, that online price quotes can be deceptive, in that they don’t always include everything you will need or want. After narrowing down your choices, it’s a good idea to call each provider and get a breakdown of exactly what the online price includes and what other costs may be involved. (Note: Refer to our Comprehensive Step-by-Step Planning Guide: Choosing Funeral Arrangements and Disposition for more information, and download our Choosing Funeral Arrangements and Disposition Checklist and Pricing for Disposition Services Checklist to help keep track of the process and estimated costs.) You may also wish to contact your local chapter of the Funeral Consumer Alliance, which in some locations can provide you with a price survey of cremation providers in your area. 

As you shop, keep in mind that the FTC Funeral Rule protects your consumer rights in a number of ways. For example, it mandates that all cremation service providers:

• Must provide a General Price List if you visit the facility in person, and quote prices over the phone when you call
• Cannot force you to purchase a package of bundled services. Each item must be priced, and available, individually.
• Force you to buy a casket or  “alternative container” from them. You have the right to provide any suitable container, such as a plain wooden coffin or cardboard box that you purchased yourself rather than buying it from the funeral home. 

Remember, too, that you can arrange cremation and hold a memorial service at another time at any location you wish. In fact, scheduling a memorial service at some point after the cremation itself can alleviate some of the stress involved in making arrangements. It may also significantly decrease your costs.

Sources

Funeral Consumers Alliance. ​​https://funerals.org/

“The FTC Funeral Rule”. Federal Trade Commission – Consumer Advice. https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/ftc-funeral-rule