Are you wondering how much a cremation cost or don’t know which cremation method might be best for you and your family? We’ve got you covered on the different cremation methods and how to create an affordable cremation.
We’ll even show how to save on your cremation with final expense life insurance, cremation societies, and more. There’s even a way to get a free cremation (with a catch).
Looking to grab some final expense life insurance now? Check out our quoting tool or contact one of our agents at (866) 786-0725.
How Much is Cremation?
How much does cremation cost? According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), you will be paying approximately $3,585 for direct cremation services and around $6,170 for the cremation services paired with a full viewing, service, transportation, embalming, and more.
Cremation is a more affordable option than a traditional burial when it comes to your final wishes; however, multiple variables go into the cost of cremation vs burial, including the extravagance of your viewing, service, accessories, and more. This price may also change depending on where you live (Northwest, South Atlantic, etc.) and current global events, like Covid-19 and more.
Here are just some of the cremation costs that you can expect to pay:
| Service | Average Price |
|---|---|
|
Service Fee |
$2,495 |
|
Embalming |
$845 |
|
Transportation of Remains |
$395 |
|
Preparation of Remains (Casket, Grooming, Etc.) |
$295 |
|
Facilities for Viewing |
$475 |
|
Facilities for Funeral |
$550 |
|
Basic Memorial Printed Package |
$195 |
|
Service Car |
$175 |
|
Cremation Fee |
$400 |
|
Casket |
$160 |
|
Cremation Urn |
$295 |
|
Total Price |
$6,280 |
*Prices will change from state to state. Source: National Funeral Directors Association
Direct Cremation, Water Cremation & More — Costs & Options
There are plenty of cremation options for you to choose from and other considerations you should consider when looking at your cremation options — including the type of caskets (which range from $100 to $2,000 depending on the material) and more.
Here are just a few of the different options (with the average prices) available to you:
Traditional Cremation Ceremony
This is your most common cremation type, essentially combining a funeral service with cremation. A conventional funeral service is held, providing participants with a viewing of the body, service, and applicable ceremony. After the viewing, instead of a burial and plot accompanying the body, the body is cremated and returned to the family in either an urn or container chosen by beneficiaries.
On average, a traditional cremation ceremony will cost you $6,170.
Cremation With Memorial Service
Direct Cremation
… Or cremation with no cremation services. This may be an option for those who wish to have their own viewing or no viewing at all. This option also coincides with those who wish to spread the ashes at a personal location relevant to the deceased. As one might guess, this is the cheapest option by far and only incurs the minimum costs of cremation services.
On average, a direct cremation costs $3,585.
Water Cremation or Green Cremation
Also known as alkaline hydrolysis, water cremation is an eco-friendly alternative to a traditional cremation process. The remains are placed in water and sodium hydroxide that breaks down the body over 16 hours until it is a fine powder. Prices for a water cremation are similar to direct cremation costs; however, not every state or funeral home will offer this service. Be sure to check if your state allows for a water cremation.
On average, a water cremation costs around $1,300 to $4,000 excluding a memorial service and dependent on what other services you receive.
Looking for even more ways to have a green funeral? Tree Pod Burials are another great alternative to look into.
Average Cost of Cremation vs Burial
How much does a cremation cost in 2024? At Final Expense Benefits, we determined that on average, being cremated will run you anywhere between $4,000 and $8,000 depending on the type of cremation.
Direct cremation, which involves only the cremation process, costs between $3,000 and $6,000.
How much does a burial cost in 2024? A burial and ceremony costs around $9,995, and it could be more depending on your state and other services you’d like performed.
Aspects associated with these services such as transportation, containment, and non-declinable fees are also present although optional. These will inevitably drive the average price of cremation up as a result. According to the NFDA’s latest Member General Price List Study, funeral costs, on average, increased by 6.1% from 2021 to 2023 and cremation costs increased by 8.1% in the same period, indicating steady growth in overall funeral costs. We are likely to see the same trend reflected in cremation costs moving forward into 2025.
Overall, you can expect to pay around $3,715 more when choosing a cremation over a burial service.
How Much Does Cremation Cost In My State?
Within the United States, cremation cost consensus data is compiled by experts by region such as the Pacific, South Atlantic, New England area, and more. These regions all contain different generalized ranges in which a median price is agreed upon. Here’s what the average cremation costs look like in each region from least expensive to most expensive:
| Region | Cremation Costs With Viewing |
|---|---|
|
Mountain (AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, WY) |
$5,505 |
|
Pacific (AK, CA, HI, OR, WA) |
$5,812 |
|
East South Central (AL, KY, MS, TN) |
$5,858 |
|
West South Central (AR, LA, OK, TX) |
$5,890 |
|
South Atlantic (DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, WV, VA) |
$6,103 |
|
East North Central (IL, IN, MI, OH, WI) |
$6,120 |
|
Middle Atlantic (NJ, NY, PA) |
$6,498 |
|
West North Central (IA, MN, KS, MO, ND, SD, NE) |
$6,713 |
|
New England (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT) |
$7,023 |
*Prices will change from state to state. Source: National Funeral Directors Association
How Can I Cover Cremation Costs?
We get it. Funeral costs can add up, and no one wants to leave behind the burden of financial stress on their loved ones when they leave. Even though cremation costs are lower than a traditional burial, there are ways to get an affordable cremation.
If you’re looking for more options, please contact us at (866) 786-0725, and we would be happy to assist you and discuss the options available to you.
Burial Insurance
Cheaper than your average Whole Life Policy while still existing within the jurisdiction, Burial Insurance provides a great middle-ground when preparing for funeral expenses. Burial Insurance is specifically tailored to generate payout quickly relative to the rate at which you pay your premium, as does not contain any restrictions or clauses regarding what the payout is used for. However, funeral expenses are where this is generally allotted.
This policy also avoids the medical examinations associated with traditional whole life insurance policies, guaranteeing acceptance for all applicants, albeit at adjusted rates correlated to your current condition, age, habits, etc.
Cremation Society
A cremation society is an organization that generally consists of a group of members under a pre-planned agreement involving any future cremation requests made by said person or their beneficiaries. You don’t have to preplan your cremation or consider the cost of cremation vs burial as they’re included with membership. Although this is a common occurrence when involving yourself with such an organization. Some states mandate that society may be used to describe a business organization, whereas some states forbid this involvement, such as NY state.
Cremation societies specialize in preplanning cremation or disposition arrangements, usually provided through a package or plan. These plans will generally contain a ranking system, to help you differentiate which funeral type you wish to have. “Memberships” or “plans” usually involve a membership fee ranging from $25 for individual membership to $100 for a family. Remember that cremation costs can vary wildly depending on the process you wish to participate in.
It’s important to note that in some state laws, a “cremation society” may exist in any form, from a personal local group to a nationwide organization. Due to the large range of differences when aligning one’s self with a cremation society, we urge you to use your best judgment and do your research. Most independent cremation societies will offer a discounted rate, or a supplemental package to their members, further incentivizing affiliation. Large corporate cremation entities usually don’t accept “members” in a societal sense, and don’t offer you anything out of the ordinary – it’s essentially glorified preneed insurance.
Preneed Insurance
Similar to a cremation society, preneed insurance is a funeral plan that’s purchased from a specific funeral home or other location offering said services. Plans will differ depending on where you receive your preneed insurance, but the majority of the funeral costs will be paid for already easing the financial burden for your loved ones.
Be aware that these prices, while typically cheaper than an average cremation cost, tend to reflect estimated prices adjusted for inflation, and any non-guaranteed services will need to be purchased at an additional cost. Be sure to find out exactly what is being offered with your preneed insurance and what options aren’t available.
Social Security / Survivor Benefits
In case you were wondering, Survivor Benefits or Social Security Income are not affected whatsoever by any insurance policies or payouts. As these policies don’t hold cash value as an asset would, there is no technical basis for these to interfere. Burial Insurance is also a one-time payout and is generally used immediately for funeral expenses, whereas survivor benefits and social security are lifelong payments made to you if the requirements are met.
No Cost Cremation Processes
Reduce the Cremation Cost with Final Expense Insurance
Thankfully, here at Final Expense Benefits, we contract with only the top senior life insurance companies. If you’re a senior on a fixed income, we work with carriers like:
We’d like to reassure you that there are a plethora of options regarding how you would like to handle cremation costs, and as stated above, carry a very wide range of costs and features.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you have a rough idea of how much a cremation costs in 2024. Whatever route you decide to take, there are a tremendous amount of options available to you, all considerably easy relative to the reward given to beneficiaries in the end. Because all routes tend to revolve around having a plan or being prepared in advance, we recommend waiting as little to begin the process.
Please call us, free of charge, at (866) 311-4338, or use our free quoting tool for a free consultation or to discuss your options for a cremation or burial.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does Being Cremated Cost?
An average cremation with traditional services will cost you around $6,170. Prices will depend on additional services that you request and the region in which you are located.
How Can I Save on the Cremation Costs?
How Can I Pay for Cremation Before I Die?
Which Cremation is Best?
The cremation method that is right for you depends on a few factors: budget, if you’d like a traditional ceremony, or how eco-conscious you are. Make sure to consider all your options before making a decision.
What Can I Do With Cremation Ashes?
Cremation ashes can be incorporated into jewelry or art pieces, scattered at a sentimental location, or kept in a cremation urn. It’s up to you how you’d like to best remember your loved one.
What Does the Bible Say About Cremation?
Ultimately, it is up to you and your beliefs on the interpretation of cremation in the Bible. Of course, if you have any questions, you should consult your pastor or spiritual leader to see if cremation is forbidden in your denomination or spiritual following.