Funeral costs in the United States vary significantly depending on the type of service and disposition chosen. Many families want to understand these options to make informed decisions that best fit their needs and budget. Below, we explore the average costs associated with direct cremation, direct burial, traditional cremation, green burial, traditional burial, and aquamation.
Direct Cremation
Direct cremation is one of the most affordable funeral options. It involves the cremation of the deceased without a formal ceremony, viewing, or additional services. Many families who choose direct cremation hold a private memorial at a separate location afterward, which helps keep costs down.
- Average Cost: $1,000 – $3,000
- Factors: Cost variations depend on location, crematory services, and any additional choices, like the urn.
- See state by state average cost for direct cremation
Direct Burial
Direct burial, like direct cremation, skips the ceremony and involves placing the body directly into a casket and burying it without a viewing or funeral service. This can be more economical than a full-service burial while allowing families the choice of a graveside service later on.
- Average Cost: $1,500 – $5,500
- Factors: Costs vary based on the cemetery fees, choice of casket, and regional expenses.
- See state by state average cost for direct burials
Traditional Cremation
A traditional cremation includes a viewing, funeral service, and cremation. This option allows families to hold a more structured event to honor their loved one, often including embalming and preparation of the body for the viewing.
- Average Cost: $4,000 – $7,000
- Factors: Additional costs arise from embalming, body preparation, venue rentals, and the urn.
- See state by state average cost for traditional cremation
Green Burial
Green burial, also known as natural burial, is an eco-friendly option that avoids embalming, typically uses biodegradable caskets or shrouds, and minimizes environmental impact. Green burials have become more popular, with many cemeteries now offering designated natural burial sections.
- Average Cost: $1,000 – $4,000
- Factors: The location of green burial sites, type of shroud or casket, and services provided by the cemetery.
Traditional Burial
Traditional burial includes embalming, a viewing, funeral service, and burial. It is one of the most expensive options, given the costs for body preparation, casket, and often, the rental of a funeral home or church.
- Average Cost (excluding plot): $7,000 – $12,000
- With Burial Plot Included: $10,000 – $15,000
- Factors: Expenses for the casket, embalming, transportation, and burial plot. Plot costs can vary widely depending on the cemetery and region.
- See average state by state cost for traditional burial
Aquamation (Alkaline Hydrolysis)
Aquamation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis or water cremation, is an alternative to traditional cremation. It uses water and an alkali solution to break down the body, making it a more eco-friendly option. While it’s not yet widely available, it is gaining popularity as a sustainable alternative to cremation.
- Average Cost: $2,000 – $5,500
- Factors: Costs depend on the facility providing aquamation and additional services or containers used.
- State by state costs for aquamation
Summary of Funeral Costs by Type
Here’s a quick reference table summarizing the average costs for different funeral types:
| Funeral Type | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Direct Cremation | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Direct Burial | $1,500 – $5,500 |
| Traditional Cremation | $4,000 – $7,000 |
| Green Burial | $1,000 – $4,000 |
| Traditional Burial | $7,000 – $12,000 (excluding burial plot) |
| Traditional Burial (with plot) | $10,000 – $15,000 |
| Aquamation | $2,000 – $5,500 |
Related: Costs for grave markers in the U.S.
