How Much Does Cremation Cost?

Cremation is now the most popular choice in the United States as it tends to be easier, more flexible, and cheaper than burial…but how much does cremation cost?

The NFDA says the average median total cost of a funeral with cremation is $6,280. A simple, direct cremation without ceremony is significantly less.

Funeral cost trackers that mystery shop local funeral homes report that the national average for a simple direct cremation is between $1,900 and $2,200, with some metro areas offering advertised specials for under $1,000.

Your actual cost varies by your location and provider. Your price will also differ according to how many services you pick. (US Funerals Online & National Funeral Directors Association)

In 2024, the National Funeral Directors Association reports a national cremation rate of 61.9% in the U.S., while burial rates continue to decline. They expect this gap to continue to grow in the next 20 years. (National Funeral Directors Association)

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WHAT AFFECTS THE COST OF CREMATION

A direct cremation typically includes transfer, cremation, a basic container, and the return of the ashes.

If you add any viewing or funeral services before the direct cremation, the total will then get closer to a full-service funeral cost. Independent price surveys indicate that full-service cremation costs range from about $5,000 to $7,000 in many states.

Where you live counts a lot.

You will find that some states are in the mid-$5,000 range for cremation with service costs. Other states are above $7,000 with the same services in comparison.

Provider type counts, too. Funeral homes have additional staffing and facility costs. Stand-alone crematories may have much simpler packages.

The FTC Funeral Rule allows all funeral homes to give you itemized price lists and let you know that the basic professional service fee is a four (4) line item list, one being direct cremation.

Asking to see the General Price List and comparing two or three providers is one of the easiest ways to save. (Federal Trade Commission)

Better: Don’t worry about future cremation costs. The Final Expense Guy can help you with low-cost cremation insurance to cover these costs in the future.

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NATIONAL OVERVIEW: SIMPLE TO FULL SERVICE CREMATION

Below are a few ideas to get a sense of today’s prices.

A simple direct cremation is typically in the range of $1,500 to $2,200 on average. A few markets are still showing $595 to $995 bare bones options.

Typical $595 to $995 options have stringent limits – expect extra fees and limitations, so be sure to check and see what it covers.

Cremation with viewing or memorial service is often priced at $6,000 to $7,000 on average across the country if you consider staff, facility, and service needs. This matches the NFDA national average for a funeral with cremation.

Even with the high price for cremation, families are still saving from the additional costs associated with burial. Cremation does not require cemetery plots, vaults, or headstones, which is why many families see thousands of dollars in savings even when opting for a full memorial.

Better: Prices will continue to increase in the future due to inflation. Getting cremation insurance now can put you ahead of the cost curve and protect your family and loved ones in the future.

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CREMATION COMMONLY REPORTED PROBLEM AREAS

When families post reviews or complaints about services, such as cremation services, they typically report frustrations that are usually categorized into two or three main buckets.

1. Some individuals report that ‘low price’ prices do not include transportation, permits, or local rules around the required container.
2. Others report that line item costs feel unclear.
3. Others felt pressured into buying more expensive packages when it was a tough week.

These experiences show up on consumer advice pages and price comparison tools. The FTC Funeral Costs Checklist is a useful tool for cost comparison, line by line.

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CONSUMER ADVICE FOR CREMATION

This is where an independent life insurance agent like the Final Expense Guy can help.

I’ll review an existing policy, unpack price lists, and help you determine if a bare-bones direct cremation compares to your model or if a simple memorial meets the family’s needs.

Better: I provide reviews for free. No cost, and just a cool conversation with me, and no obligation to buy!

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WHAT IS THE AVERAGE COST FOR A CREMATION IN YOUR STATE?

You requested to provide statewide averages for cremation with service, memorial, or viewing.

Costs for cremation vary based on the state you live in. Here are all 50 states’ average costs.

Dignity Memorial data

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HOW TO AVOID UNEXPECTED CREMATION FEES

First, request the General Price List and the Cremation price line. The Funeral Rule obligates direct cremation pricing to include the basic professional services fee.

Then, ask what is excluded. Transportation mileage thresholds, at the cashier’s discretion, expedited service, or an upgraded urn can all contribute to the bigger picture.

Use the FTC checklist as a guide, so you keep track of the fees you include and the information that a facility often uses. (Federal Trade Commission)

If you’re preplanning, confirm how trust funds are controlled and what will happen if you move.

Ask if the plan pays the cremation charge, service, or both.

Better: The Final Expense Guy can give you insight and best practices for avoiding unexpected cremation fees in the future. Cremation insurance is very adaptable and can cover all of your future needs.

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WHY A CREMATION INSURANCE POLICY REVIEW HELPS NOW

If you got a policy between one and five years ago, it’s probably time for a policy review.

Pricing changes and inflation lower your purchasing power. NFDA’s national medians and the continuous growth of cremation popularity show patterns that change year to year.

Also, Social Security pays widows or widowers a one-time death benefit of $255 to an eligible spouse or child (if eligible). Not a lot of money, but families forget to file a claim. You have two years after the death date to request.

Better: Taking a minute to review with The Final Expense Guy can help you maintain coverage and possibly reduce your costs if a better carrier is a more affordable fit.

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CREMATION FACTS YOU MAY NOT KNOW THAT CAN AFFECT CREMATION COST

Natural Organic Reduction (“Human Composting”) Is Becoming Available in More States

Recently, New Jersey became the 14th U.S. state to legalize human composting, joining states like Illinois, New York, California, Washington, Vermont, Oregon, Nevada, Maryland, Minnesota, Maine, Arizona, Delaware, and Georgia.

People in favor of natural organic reduction are calling it a green end-of-life option that is flame-free, chemical-free, space-efficient, and affordable compared to traditional burial and cremation.

According to the New Jersey statute, individuals are placed in large containers with wood chips, straw or alfalfa, warm air is circulated, and the mixture is turned over periodically for about 30–45 days, until the body fully decomposes. The soil is given back to the family of the deceased person.

Those against it cite cultural or religious reasons, as well as the regulation of the soil product. Some states are still building or waiting for facilities to be approved, so they are not immediately accessible.

Water Cremation (Alkaline Hydrolysis) Is Becoming More Common

Alkaline hydrolysis, or “water cremation,” dissolves the person’s body in a heated, pressurized alkaline solution with water, leaving mainly minerals of bones and a sterilized liquid. Research shows aqua cremation uses approximately 90% less energy than traditional flame cremation, does not release mercury emissions from fillings, and generates fewer air particulates.

For example, flame cremation can incinerate the remains of the person’s body at temperatures of 1,400–1,800°F by using natural gas, propane, or other flames, but alkaline hydrolysis uses much lower temperatures of 300–350°F (only the water is heated) with pressure, so that the fuel consumption is minimized.

The liquid byproduct is usually processed in existing sewage systems (not the same as cremated remains being buried), and sometimes used for fertilizer. The process takes more time (6–8 hours, depending on the pressure, temperature, and mass of whether remains), than flame cremation (1–3 hours only).

Several states, including California, Florida, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon, Idaho, and North Carolina, have passed laws or have companies providing alkaline hydrolysis services.

Very High Heat for Traditional Cremation

Traditional flame cremation requires incineration chambers (also called retorts) that must reach between 1,400°F and 1,800°F, often higher, to assure combustion of soft tissue (body fat) and to cremate the person’s body down to bone fragments.

At this temperature, all metals (including dental amalgams) vaporize or melt, and some implants must be removed from the person’s body prior to cremation. Many states (and local jurisdictions) have air quality standards that crematories have to comply with, and that may add equipment (filters, scrubbers) to lower the amount of particles released to the air.

Families of the deceased hardly ever see this part of costs, but it does exist: high heat, high maintenance, and compliance costs all add to cremation process costs.

Cremation Rates Have Increased Rapidly

In the mid-20th century, cremation was nearly non-existent in the U.S. (less than 5% of disposition options). By 2024, the rate of incidence was more than 60% of deaths in the U.S. Projections indicate that by 2030, 73% of deaths will be cremation, and by 2045, over 80%.

In 2020, cremation accounted for nearly three-quarters of deaths. This represents a shift in values, including memorial service flexibility, lower maintenance of cremated remains, and environmentally friendly options.

This also causes pressure on end-of-life providers. In some metro areas, a crematory can expand capacity, but in rural or highly regulated areas, supply is not meeting demand.

Reduced Costs Are Not the Only Reasons for Choosing Cremation

Many people say lower costs is the primary reason for cremation, but surveys reveal other reasons, including wanting to wait until a later date for a memorial service. Others may want to avoid burial, caskets, and want to reduce land consumption.

Some end-of-life care organizations are starting to embrace cremation. In some religious groups, as long as rituals are honored, it is acceptable.

Some families value the opportunity to retain the cremated remains at home or in a designated place, scatter, disperse, or return to a simple garden urn.

The Law Governs Where You Can Have Cremated Remains, and it varies from state to state

Each state has their own laws on what you can do with cremated remains. In many states, you cannot simply scatter ashes over certain bodies of water (rivers, lakes, ocean), scatter over or land from an airplane, dip ashes, or bury them (a grave plot) into another person’s grave plot, or transfer ashes from one state to another ashes law.

In some states, ashes must be disposed of in a container. In New York, though human composting is legal, as of mid-2024, it did not have operating facilities. This means that just because something is legal, it does not mean it is readily available.

Not everyone picks up the ashes

Not every family gets their cremated remains. Crematories typically keep cremated remains for 30-90 days.

Policies vary: one facility will keep the remains for a year, another for just a couple of weeks. Families need to have plans, and communication of plans is of utmost importance.

Existing Historic Crematoriums

Some of the historical crematoriums in the U.S. are still operational. The LeMoyne Crematory (Pennsylvania, est. 1876) was created to address concerns of Hygiene and the declining efficacy of acute care burial. Davenport Crematorium (Iowa, 1891) is another exceptional early example.

Many historic crematoriums still exist today, but they are outdated and no longer viable options due to the cost-prohibitive upgrades necessary to meet modern environmental and safety regulations, thereby increasing costs.

Crematories Sometimes Have Laws Limiting One Body per Retort

Most states also do not state how many people must be cremated at a time. After every cremation, the retort is monitored and inspected according to protocols or cleaned in order to be repurposed for the next cremation.

In busy urban areas, this can lead to inefficiencies, as suppliers are forced to absorb these costs, which are then carried over, limiting the cost-effectiveness of solutions.

States Use Different Fuels and Methods

Early crematories utilized coal, wood, or coke. Most current facilities are powered with municipal gas, propane, natural gas, or electricity.

Some municipalities require chemicals in the Denver Air Quality standards for pollutants, which conversion can exceed a thousand dollars as a result of higher prices of raw materials. The fuel type, along with the energy use and the environmental impact, all impact pricing.

Providers may be required to upgrade to “clean” energy in the future, thereby raising cremation costs.

Plot Cost for Urns Is Less Than Caskets

Urn plots are less expensive than casket plots, although they are not insignificant either. In many cases, an urn plot is often priced from a range of hundreds to several thousand, depending upon location.

Families sometimes think that they do not have to purchase a plot for burial, but this is not the case if they want the remains to be buried at a cemetery.

Cremation with Funeral Services Can Be Equal to Burial Cost

Many families believe that cremation will be more affordable than burial. That is true only if cremation is chosen with little to no services.

When families choose a viewing, embalming, flowers, a special urn, and a separate package from the cremation, the cremation funeral costs can get surprisingly close to actual burial costs.

In densely populated metro areas, services can be more expensive. Additional fees for urn burial, grave liner, vault, or at a vault facility may also have to be factored in.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED CREMATION QUESTIONS

What are cremation rates? Rates can be different from state to state and/or providers, on average, a direct cremation will be around $1,500 – 2,500 and a cremation with services will start at $6,000.

What are cremation facility charges? Typically, cremation facility charges are for the cremation itself, but also for transportation and paperwork. Charges increase if memorial or funeral services are added.

What is the fee for a cremation facility? Typically, cremation charges for direct cremation are around $2,000; adding services and facilities increases that cost.

What are cremation costs? Direct cremation costs can be around $1,000 in some states, but typically, a direct fair range is between $1,800 $2,500, and this is higher if services are included.

What is the average cremation value? The average cremation value for direct cremation overall in the nation is around $2,000, while cremation with memorial or viewing is at about $6,000.

How much is cremation? For just cremation itself, costs range from $1,500 – 2,500, and adding memorial and funeral will increase.

How much is a cremation? Simple cremation is usually somewhere in the cost of $1,500 – 2,500.

How much does it cost to cremate someone? Cost for direct cremation – it costs about $2,000 for direct cremation, but it can run $6,000 and above, depending on services.

What is the average cost of cremation? The average cost to cremate a body with services is $6,280; a direct, simple cremation costs about $2,000.

What is the cost of direct cremation? The cost of a direct cremation is usually the least expensive, averaging $1,500 to $2,200 in the US.

What is the cost of a cremation? The cost of cremation depends on the provider; an organized or cremation package usually costs around $2,000, while a full package price comes closer to $6,000.

What does a cremation cost comparison mean? Cremation cost comparison overview: usually, the comparison of burial costs is more than $10,000; cremation is usually less than $7,000, and if not, cheaper prices are provided.

How much does cremation cost with services? Cost of cremation with services or memorial service ranges generally from $5,000 – $7,000, that is generally.

How much does it cost to be cremated? The cost is about $2,000 for cremation itself, and then it increases to much higher prices with full-service packages.

What is the average cremation funeral cost? The average cremation funeral cost typically ranges between $6,000 and $7000, depending on the provider and state.

What is the cost of a funeral for cremation? The cost of our cremation funerals typically includes support and facilities that adhere to the primary cremation protocol, with some additional benefits available for an extra $1,500 beyond the basic cremation cost.

What is the average cost of cremation rates? The average cost of cremation is probably between $3,000 $7,000, and again, based upon the details of service and breakdowns presented.

How much does it cost to cremate a body? Costs to cremate a body are generally run by two, with the overall costs to cremate a body going from $1,800 – $2,500, again depending on services for the direct cremation.

How much does cremation cost? Again, cultural perspectives vary, and services and areas are priced differently depending on the amount, future or base operating prices, ranging from at least $2,000 to $6,000, including the specifics.

How much is the cost of a cremation? Costs for cremation average much closer to $2,000 across US indexes within the same area, as well as provider prices for cremation.

How much does it cost to cremate someone? Very much consider cash-arrangement-style first, or perhaps a family of loved ones deceased will usually go in average about $2,000 cash-arrangement for direct detailed cremation, much closer to $6,000 service.

How much does it cost to cremate a body? Costs to cremate directly are the most widely used example, around $2,500, while full-service increases for actual overall amounts.

How much is a cremation funeral? The average cost of a cremation funeral will usually be more than $6,000, or vary depending on the area.

How much are cremation services? Suppose a cremation service that includes staff, other facility use, and possibly a memorial or funeral ceremony could amount to thousands of dollars. In that case, cremation becomes an in-ground or vaulted option on demand.

How much does a simple cremation cost? The costs of simple direct arrangements will have an average, both before and after taxes, often with an essential role in the range of $1,800-$ 2,500.

What is the average cost of cremation? Every day, the average cremation costs $ 2,000, and the average direct services cost around $6,000.

What is the cost of simple cremation? The cost of a simple cremation is usually advertised independently of the usual charges the provider includes, making the industry apply everything under for a typical cost of around $2,500.

What does cremation cost? Both the low and high costs of cremation can be attributed to almost all associated costs, with fees consistently ranging from $2,000 for the average direct cremation to $6,000 for the average full-service cremation.

What is the cost of cremation and burial? Not only would the average price of a direct burial service for the beloved one decrease to around $ 3,000, but it would also be a significant savings from the initial $10,000. If you want to average cremation fees, the total is divided by the number of costs.

What are the cremation burial costs? Those average burial base costs, the cemetery headstone, and fees will often be a substantial amount, typically thousands, which is a good investment.

What is the cost of a cremation burial? The huge cost here would be helping greatly to keep those bottoming out, which could be normal. However, things tend to be thousands of dollars taken care of, except that there was at least a direct cremation, which was a significant price.

What should be the cost of cremation? So, the cost of cremation should not exceed $2,000, unless you pay for another service, such as transportation to the service, which can sometimes be worth $2,000.

What is the budget for memorial services and cremation costs? Gathering research also shows the average amount of memorials and cremations is around $5,000.

How much is it for cremation around me? The price of cremation in your area varies and depends on local providers, while local averages are likely in line with the $2,000 direct cremation type.

How many is it to cremate a body? The pricing for a body will typically be $2,000 for the body-only option, and not include extra services.

How much does cremation cost without services? Without services is the most inexpensive option, averaging between $1,500 and $2,200.

What are the prices for cremation services around me? A cremation service in your area will likely be anywhere between $2,000 and $6,000, based on location and add-ons.

What is direct cremation pricing? Direct cremation pricing is generally less than $2,500 across the US.

What is the average cremation pricing in 2024? The averages in a few short years should be around $2,000 for direct services and $6,000 for services overall.

What is the burial cost breakdown for funerals? The burial cost breakdown is a list of fees combined for items such as transportation, cremation, services, staffing, facilities, and goods like urns.

How much is a basic cremation? The basic cremation averages $1,500 $2,200.

What is the cost of burial vs cremation prices? Burial vs. cremation price points illustrate that the overall cost of cremation is often half that of a burial, resulting in total savings of many thousands.

What is the cost of cremation vs burial? The burial often costs about $10,000, and the average tagging out of family costs for cremation is around $2,000 $6,000 on average.

What is the price range for cremation services? Services range a lot, it but averages that $3,000 and $7,000 for cremation services.

What is the cost of cremation vs burial? Substantial price savings of hundreds, if not thousands, as cremation is less expensive than burial.

How much does it cost to cremate a body? A body for direct cremation costs about $2,000.

How much for cremation only? A cremation-only service package is usually priced at $1,500 to $2,200.

What is basic cremation cost around me? The basic cremation cost should be very close to $2,000 in your area.

How much for cremation services? Cremation services vary but could cost as much as $3,000 to $7,000 based on what’s included.

What is the cremation cost? The only cremation pricing lists average between $1,500 and $2,500.

What is the cost of a no-funeral service and cremation? No funeral, service, and burial is the least expensive option, and generally, the average is less than $2,500.

What is the cost of direct cremation around me? The cost for direct cremation local to you is typically around $2,000.

What is the cost of cremation near my area? The cremation in your area will depend on local providers and the local averages to the national averages in your area.

How much do cremation services cost? Cremation service, among other things, will range between $3,000 and $7,000, typically depending on what they include.

What is the cost of cremation without service? Cremation without service costs around $1,500 $2,200.

How much do cremation services cost? Cremation services cost more compared to direct cremation, usually thousands more.

How much does a cremation service cost? A cremation service averages between $3,000 and $7,000, typically, and lower, versus direct pricing.

What are basic cremation services? Basic cremation is often an average lower pricing package, but it should run pretty close to $2,000.

How much does it cost for cremation? Simple, no-extras cremation pricing exceptions average about $2,000.

What is basic cremation cost? Basic cremation costs an average of $1,500 $2,200.

How much is the cost of cremation? The cremation pricing averages about $2,000 direct and $6,000 presenting a standard package.

What is basic cremation pricing? Introductory cremation pricing varies on a case basis, but is closer to the average of $2,000.

What is the average cost for a funeral and cremation? The average for funeral and cremation costs averages about $6,000 $7,000.

What are the costs for direct cremation without service? Direct cremation with no service is the least expensive option, often under $2,500.

What is the pricing for a funeral home cremation? Funeral home cremation cost is usually higher due to service and facilities, upwards of $6,000, if not more.

What are my urn burial costs for cremains? Urn burial costs should include cemetery and plot fees, often an additional $1,000 or more for the cremation service.

What are cremation and funeral costs? Cremation and funeral costs generally range from $6,000 $7,000 overall.

What is the cost of the fees to cremate? The average cost to cremate averages around $2,000 for direct pricing.

What is the average pricing for no service direct cremation? The average cost of direct cremation without services is estimated to be around $2,000.

What is the cremation vs funeral costs? Cremation is ideally over 50%, if not, it is more likely a savings for the family.

What are the inurnment costs? Inurnment represents sod gravel cemetery services fees for urn placement, usually with a charge of between $500 and $1,500.

What are basic budget cremation services? Budget cremation service pricing typically includes a basic package, which runs from $1,000 to $1,800.

How much is funeral with cremation? A funeral with cremation itinerary ammo holds $6,000 or more.

What is average cost of cremation in USA? The average cost of cremation in the USA is $2,000. Direct cremation costs $6,000 with services.

What is the cost for cremation with viewing? Cremation with viewing pricing costs range upwards of $6,000 to $7,000.

What is private cremation pricing? Private cremation pricing is expected much higher than the costs for direct pricing and communal cremation costs, upwards of $2,000 higher.

What is the cost for cremation vs service? The average costs of cremation. Simple cremation plans often will indicate that the cost of cremation averages $2,000 for non-complex cremation.

What are cremation for infant pricing? Infant cremation pricing is relatively less wasteful due to initial provider charges, up to the point that, generally, the average cost is less than $1,000.

What does the average funeral costs? The average cost of cremation averages upwards of $2,000 for the services purpose, exceeding $6,000 to provide the price closure.

What are common funeral services with cremation? The average service cost, or service with cremation, is upwards of $6,000 to $7,000, while the next price category will typically be the funeral service.

What is the cost of the cremation service? Cost from facility services averages between $3,000 and $7,000.

How much does the services for cremation pricing cost? The cremation services pricing is usually more than direct cremation, so it averages upwards of $5,000.

What is the cheapest cremation cost? The cheapest cremation cost could be less than $1,000, but these prices typically have limits and carry extra fees.

What is the total cost of lay cremation funeral? The total average costs of a lay cremation funeral is $6,000.

What is direct cremation? Direct cremation is the lowest cost and averages about $2,000.

What is the cost of low cremation? The cost of low cremation will be between $1,000 and $1,500, depending on location.

What is national average cremation cost? The national average cremation cost is about $2,000 (direct cremation) and $6,000 (full service).

What is average cost of human cremation? The average cost of human cremation is about $2,000 nationally.

What is the lowest cremation cost? The lowest cremation costs are around $1,000 in various markets.

What are average cost of cremation or burial? The average cost of cremation or burial will vary; however, cremation is always less than burial.

What is average cost of cremation package? The average cost of cremation packages depends on the services included and generally starts around $2,000.

What is average cost cremation? The average cost of cremation services is around $2,000 for direct cremation and $6,000 for full service.