Direct cremation is cremation that takes place shortly after death without embalming, a viewing or a funeral ceremony beforehand. The funeral home or cremation provider handles transportation, paperwork and the cremation itself, then returns the cremated remains to the family, who can hold a memorial service later if they wish. It is typically the least expensive form of cremation a provider offers.
Families choose direct cremation for many reasons: cost, simplicity, a wish to hold a memorial on their own schedule, or the personal preference of the person who died.
What direct cremation usually includes
The exact contents vary by provider, but a direct cremation price typically covers:
- Basic services of the funeral director and staff
- Transfer of the body from the place of death, usually within a set service area
- Refrigeration until the cremation
- Help completing the death certificate and obtaining the cremation permit
- An alternative container for the body
- The cremation itself
- A basic container for the cremated remains, returned to the family
Under the FTC Funeral Rule (16 CFR Part 453), funeral homes that offer direct cremation must list its price on their General Price List, and must make an alternative container available. That container can be unfinished wood, pressed wood, fiberboard or cardboard. You are not required to buy a casket.
What it does not include
Direct cremation leaves out the parts of a traditional funeral that require the body to be present and prepared:
- Embalming
- A viewing or visitation
- A funeral service with the body present
- A hearse and procession
It also often excludes items that are billed separately:
- Certified copies of the death certificate
- Medical examiner or coroner review fees, where required
- An upgraded urn
- Mileage outside the service area
- Shipping or delivery of the remains
- Obituary notices and other cash advance items
Always ask what the quoted price includes and request a written, itemized statement. For more on costs, see how much does cremation cost.
How the process works
1. First call
When death occurs, the family, hospital, hospice or nursing home contacts the provider. If the death was unexpected or happened outside medical care, the medical examiner or coroner may need to be involved first. Our guide on what to do when someone dies covers these first steps.
2. Authorization
Cremation is permanent, so states require written authorization from the legal next of kin or the person designated to make decisions. The order of who has that right is set by state law and typically starts with a designated agent, then the spouse, then adult children and so on. When several people share that right, providers may require all of them to sign.
3. Paperwork and permits
The death certificate must be completed and filed, and a cremation permit obtained. Many states also require a waiting period before cremation and a review by the medical examiner. Timelines therefore vary, from a few days to a couple of weeks. See how to get a death certificate.
4. The cremation
The body is placed in its container and cremated. Medical devices such as pacemakers are removed first. Identification is tracked throughout. For a step-by-step description, read what happens during cremation.
5. Return of the remains
The cremated remains are placed in a temporary container or the urn you selected, then picked up by the family, delivered, or shipped.
Direct cremation compared with other options
| Direct cremation | Cremation with memorial | Cremation with viewing and funeral | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Embalming | No | Usually no | Usually yes |
| Viewing with the body present | No | No | Yes |
| Service | None by provider | Later, with or without urn | Before the cremation |
| Casket | Not needed | Not needed | Often a rental casket |
| Relative cost | Lowest | Moderate | Highest |
The National Funeral Directors Association's 2023 General Price List Study put the national median for a funeral with viewing and cremation at $6,280. Direct cremation leaves out most of what that figure covers, which is why it generally costs much less. Note that many families who choose direct cremation still want a private moment with the person who died; some providers offer a brief identification viewing for a fee.
Is direct cremation right for your family?
Direct cremation may fit well if:
- Cost is a major concern.
- Family members are spread out and want to hold a memorial later.
- The person who died asked for something simple.
- You plan a service in a church, park or home rather than at a funeral home.
It may not fit if:
- Your faith or family expects a viewing or a funeral with the body present. See religious funeral customs.
- Some relatives are uncomfortable with cremation. Discuss it before authorizing, because it cannot be undone.
- You want burial; see burial vs cremation.
How to choose a direct cremation provider
- Call at least three providers. By federal law they must give you prices over the phone.
- Ask whether they own their crematory or use an outside one, and how identity is tracked.
- Ask exactly what the price includes, and what is extra.
- Ask about timing, including state waiting periods and permit times.
- Check licensing with your state funeral board.
- Read reviews and ask how they handle questions after hours.
You can find cremation services and crematories on our states pages or near me. The FTC's Shopping for Funeral Services also has helpful advice.