Cremation is usually less expensive than a traditional burial, but the price depends heavily on which kind of cremation you choose. Direct cremation, with no viewing or ceremony beforehand, is typically the lowest-cost option a funeral home offers, while cremation with a full viewing and funeral costs much more. For a sense of scale, the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) 2023 General Price List Study found a national median of $6,280 for a funeral with viewing and cremation.
Prices vary considerably by region and by provider, sometimes by a wide margin within the same city, so comparing price lists is the most effective way to find out what cremation costs where you live.
The three main types of cremation service
| Type | What it usually includes | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|
| Direct cremation | Transfer of the body, basic services, required permits, an alternative container, the cremation and return of the remains | Lowest |
| Cremation with memorial service | Direct cremation plus a service later, with or without the urn present | Moderate |
| Cremation with viewing and funeral | Embalming, a viewing, a funeral ceremony with the body present (often in a rental casket) and then cremation | Highest; NFDA's 2023 median was $6,280 |
The NFDA median applies to the third type. It is not the price of direct cremation. You can learn more about the lowest-cost option in direct cremation explained.
What goes into the price
Most cremation quotes are built from these items:
- Basic services fee. Every funeral home charges this. Under the FTC Funeral Rule it is the one charge you cannot decline.
- Transfer of the body. Often a set fee within a service area, with extra mileage beyond it.
- Refrigeration or holding. Some providers charge per day if the cremation is delayed.
- Container. The Funeral Rule requires providers that offer direct cremation to make an alternative container available, such as unfinished wood, pressed wood, fiberboard or cardboard. You are not required to buy a casket for cremation.
- Crematory fee. If the funeral home uses an outside crematory, this may be listed separately as a cash advance or third-party charge.
- Permits and paperwork. Some states and counties charge for a cremation permit, and many require a medical examiner review before cremation, which may carry a fee.
- Certified death certificates. Each certified copy usually has a fee set by the state or county.
- Urn. A basic temporary container is usually included. A decorative urn is extra and can be bought anywhere.
Fees that are easy to miss
- Removal from a residence (as opposed to a hospital) or after hours
- Extra charges for a larger body or for removal by additional staff
- Witnessing the cremation, if your family or faith wishes to be present
- Shipping the cremated remains, or a fee for a second transfer
- Scattering services, or burial of the urn in a cemetery, which brings in plot or niche fees and opening and closing charges
- Obituary notices, flowers and clergy, listed as cash advance items
Ask for a written, itemized statement before you sign, which the Funeral Rule also requires the provider to give you once you choose your goods and services.
Funeral home, cremation provider or crematory?
Cremation can be arranged through a full-service funeral home, a cremation-focused provider, or in some cases a business that owns its own crematory. Each type can be a good fit. Providers that focus on cremation may have lower overhead, while a funeral home can offer viewings, services and chapel space. See funeral home vs mortuary for how the terms differ, and browse cremation services or crematories near you.
How to compare cremation prices
- Call at least three providers. Under federal law, funeral homes must give you price information by phone.
- Ask for the price of direct cremation, which must appear on the General Price List if offered, and what exactly it includes.
- Ask whether the crematory fee is included or added as a separate charge.
- Ask about the container and urn included in the price.
- Ask about waiting periods and permits in your state, and whether a medical examiner fee applies.
- Get the total in writing before authorizing the cremation.
For a deeper look at reading a price list, see what is a General Price List. The FTC also publishes a consumer guide, Shopping for Funeral Services.
Cremation compared with burial
Cremation avoids several of the largest burial costs: the plot, opening and closing, an outer burial container and, often, an upright headstone. That is a large part of why NFDA reports that more than half of Americans now choose cremation. If you plan to bury the urn in a cemetery or place it in a columbarium niche, though, some of those costs return. Read burial vs cremation for a full comparison.
Help with cremation costs
- Veterans. Eligible veterans can have cremated remains placed in a VA national cemetery at no cost, and some families qualify for a burial allowance. See veterans burial benefits and va.gov.
- Social Security. An eligible surviving spouse or child may receive a one-time $255 lump-sum death payment, according to the Social Security Administration.
- County programs. Many counties offer indigent cremation when no one can pay.
- Body donation. Some medical school donation programs cover cremation after study. Acceptance is not guaranteed, so have a backup plan.
More options are covered in how to pay for a funeral. If you want to understand the process itself, read what happens during cremation.