Cheap Funeral Options: How to Save on Final Arrangements

What to Choose for Low Cost Burial or Cremation and How to Cut Costs

Funeral costs can quickly escalate, but there are ways to select cheap funeral options that help reduce expenses. This guide explains the most affordable burial and cremation options in the U.S., details what you are required to pay for, and highlights what you can opt out of to minimize costs. We also provide extra tips to make funerals more affordable and a table for quick reference.

Cheap Funeral Options Compared

Option	Required Costs	Optional Costs to Opt-Out Of	Estimated Total Cost
Direct Burial	Basic funeral home services, casket, gravesite, grave opening/closing, grave marker, perpetual care fees (if needed)	Embalming, viewing, funeral ceremony, expensive vaults	$3,000–$10,000
Green Burial	Basic funeral home services, biodegradable casket/shroud, gravesite, grave opening/closing	Embalming, vaults, funeral service	$2,000–$7,000
Direct Cremation	Basic funeral home services, cremation fee, cremation container, basic urn	Embalming, viewing, memorial service, expensive urn	$1,000–$3,000
Cremation with Services	Basic funeral home services, cremation fee, rental casket, memorial service	Permanent casket, embalming, expensive venues	$2,000–$5,000

Burial: Lowest Cost Choices and What You Can Opt Out Of

Choosing a burial in the U.S. can be expensive, but there are ways to keep costs down, starting with opting for a direct burial or a green burial.

Direct Burial: The Bare Minimum

What You Must Pay For:
- Basic funeral home services (transportation, filing paperwork, coordinating with cemetery)
- Casket (inexpensive or biodegradable options)
- Gravesite (cost varies greatly by location)
- Grave opening and closing (physical labor costs)
- Grave marker or headstone (opt for a flat marker)
- Perpetual care fees (cemetery maintenance, if applicable)
What You Can Opt Out Of:
- Embalming (not required if burial occurs shortly after death)
- Viewing or wake services
- Funeral service (ceremony or gathering)
- Expensive vaults (choose the most basic version, or opt out if the cemetery allows)
Total Estimated Cost: $3,000–$10,000

Green or Natural Burial

What You Must Pay For:
- Basic funeral home services
- Biodegradable casket or burial shroud
- Gravesite in a green cemetery (usually less expensive)
- Grave opening and closing
What You Can Opt Out Of:
- Embalming (green burials prohibit embalming)
- Vaults or liners (green cemeteries don’t require them)
- Funeral service or ceremony
Total Estimated Cost: $2,000–$7,000

Cremation: Lowest Cost Choices and What You Can Opt Out Of

Cremation is generally more affordable than burial in the U.S. The most cost-effective option is direct cremation, but even cremation with services can be budget-friendly if you make strategic choices.

Direct Cremation: The Bare Minimum

What You Must Pay For:
- Basic funeral home services (transportation, filing paperwork)
- Cremation fee
- Cremation container (usually cardboard or simple wood)
- Urn (a basic container is often included)
What You Can Opt Out Of:
- Embalming (not necessary for cremation)
- Viewing or visitation
- Funeral or memorial service (optional, and can be held later at a home or free venue)
- Expensive urns (you can use a simple container or urn)
Total Estimated Cost: $1,000–$3,000

Cremation with Services

What You Must Pay For:
- Basic funeral home services
- Cremation fee
- Cremation container or rental casket
- Memorial service costs (venue, officiant, etc.)
What You Can Opt Out Of:
- Permanent casket (opt for rental if a service is held)
- Embalming (not required unless there’s a public viewing)
- Expensive venues for memorials (consider a home gathering or free community spaces)
Total Estimated Cost: $2,000–$5,000

Extra Tips to Keep Funerals Affordable in the U.S.

Choose Direct Burial or Direct Cremation: The simplest and most cost-effective options are direct burial or direct cremation, which skip embalming, viewings, and other costly services.
Shop Around for Caskets and Urns: You are not required to buy a casket or urn from the funeral home. Online retailers like Costco or Walmart offer much cheaper options, and federal law allows you to use outside purchases without extra fees.
Consider Green or Natural Burials: These eco-friendly burials are often cheaper than traditional options since they skip embalming, expensive caskets, and vaults.
Hold the Memorial at Home or a Community Venue: Hosting a memorial service at a home, park, or community center can save on expensive venue rental costs. You can also delay the service until a more convenient time.
Rent a Casket for Services: If you are planning a service with a viewing, many funeral homes offer rental caskets that are used for the ceremony and then removed before cremation, which is cheaper than buying a permanent casket.
Skip Embalming: Embalming is only required in certain cases (like extended delays between death and burial), so skipping this process saves several hundred dollars. Direct burials and cremations often do not require embalming.
Use Social Security and Veterans Benefits: If applicable, take advantage of Social Security’s lump-sum death benefit (about $255) and VA benefits for veterans, which may cover the cost of burial in a national cemetery.
Check Local Burial Assistance Programs: Many states and municipalities offer burial assistance to low-income families. Check with local social services for available programs.