Cherished Calla Lily silk floral arrangement from the Cemetery Flowers program

Cost of Cremation vs. Burial

When it comes to end-of-life planning, one of the most significant decisions families face is choosing between cremation and burial. Though both options provide meaningful ways to honor a loved one, they differ not only in tradition and personal preference but sometimes in cost. For those navigating this choice, understanding the financial aspects can be a vital part of making an informed decision.

Though cremation is often considered the more affordable option, the cost difference between cremation and burial isn’t always as substantial as you might think. Depending on the choices your family makes, the expenses can be quite similar.

A cremation without a viewing or celebration of life is typically less expensive, but some families consider the memories created by end-of-life ceremonies priceless. Whether simple or celebratory, the right choice for your family will ultimately be guided by personal preferences, family traditions and religious customs—ensuring a farewell that feels both heartfelt and fitting. Let your heart and your budget be your guide.

In this article, you will learn:

Median costs of cremations and burials
What affects costs
Why cremation may cost less than burial
Cremation and burial pros and cons
The hidden costs of cremation
How to save on cremation or burial expenses

What affects funeral and cremation costs?

There are hundreds of decisions that must be made when planning a funeral or cremation. Learn what to expect and get your free Guide to Understanding Funeral & Cremation Costs today.

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Median costs of cremations and burials

When deciding between cremation and burial, understanding the cost differences can be helpful. Questions like "How much does cremation cost?" and "What is the cost of a burial?" often come to mind. To provide clarity, we’ve outlined the median costs for both cremation and burial, offering a straightforward comparison to guide your decision.

Cost of a cremation

In 2023, according to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the national median cost breakdown for a cremation with a viewing before and memorial service or celebration of life afterward was as follows:

Basic services of the funeral director and staff	$2,495
Removal/transfer of loved one to funeral home	$395
Embalming	$845
Preparation of the loved one	$295
Use of facilities/staff for viewing	$475
Use of facilities/staff for service	$550
Service car/van	$175
Printed materials (basic memorial package)	$195
Cremation fee (if the funeral home uses a third party)	$400
Cremation container	$160
Urn	$295
Median cost of a cremation with a viewing	$6,280

Cost of a burial

In 2023, according to NFDA, the national median cost breakdown for a funeral with a viewing and a cemetery burial was as follows (please note that this cost does not include cemetery expenses):

Basic services of the funeral director and staff	$2,495
Removal/transfer of loved one to funeral home	$395
Embalming	$845
Preparation of the loved one	$295
Staff costs and use of the funeral home for the viewing	$475
Staff costs and use of the funeral home for the funeral	$550
Coach services	$375
Use of a service car/van	$175
Basic printed materials for the memorial	$195
Metal casket for burial	$2,500
Median cost of a funeral with a viewing	$8,300

Cremation may be less expensive than a traditional funeral

1

A traditional cemetery burial is often preceded by a funeral or followed by a memorial. Families who choose cremation also often choose not to have a funeral or memorial service, or they choose a simpler, smaller or more casual option.

SAVINGS: ABOUT $550

2

Traditional funerals are often preceded by a visitation or viewing, which families who choose cremation often skip. That saves on the funeral director's time and costs to embalm the loved one, hair and makeup, facility and staffing fees, and more.

SAVINGS: ABOUT $1,615

3

Traditional cemetery burial comes with a number of costs that families who choose to scatter ashes in a personally meaningful place or to keep ashes at home may not incur, including a graveside service and transportation, a burial casket and a burial vault.

SAVINGS: $4,745—and that's before the cost of cemetery property, opening and closing fees, and a marker

Cremation vs. burial—pros and cons

Traditional burial or cremation is an entirely personal choice. Your religious beliefs may mean that cremation is not a consideration, or your family may simply be more comfortable with burial over cremation. Consider your culture and preferences, think over the pros and cons, and make a choice that feels best in your heart.

Cremation

Benefits

Can have a memorial before or after
Can cost less than burial
Ashes are easily transported
Ashes can be divided among family members
There are many options for the memorialization of ashes

Disadvantages

Does not align with some religious beliefs
Does not allow for a body to be exhumed later
Those who choose simple cremation and forgo a final service may find it more difficult to move through their grief
There's no way to ensure where the loved one's urn will be 5, 10 or 50 years from now

Burial

Benefits

The preferred option in many religious traditions
More traditional, which may appeal to some families
Provides a lasting memorial site to visit
Allows loved ones to be buried alongside one another
A physical memorial and headstone can be comforting
Exhumation is an option, if necessary

Disadvantages

Can be more costly than cremation
Funerals generally need to be arranged within a few days of the loved one’s passing
Cemeteries may have limited visiting hours or restrictions on what items are allowed on the gravesite

Urn outside on table with flowers around it

Cremation may have hidden costs

Cremation can have hidden costs, some purely financial and some emotional. In the first group are things like a casket rental for a funeral. In the second group are considerations pertaining to saying a final goodbye or how to handle a loved one's ashes.

Financial considerations

Crematory fees: If a provider does not own its own crematory, it can exclude the actual cremation cost from the initial price and add it afterward. The NFDA estimates third-party cremation costs were $400 in 2023.
Cremation container: Some states have laws that require cremation containers, which are boxes for loved ones' bodies during cremation. While most providers include a cardboard container as part of a standard package, there are other options. For example, some families may feel better about choosing a wood container.

Emotional considerations

Attention to detail and chain of custody: Once your loved one is brought into our care, your Dignity Memorial provider or one of our trusted partners has custody. Our custody-of-care program ensures that we meticulously safeguard your loved one's identity with every step of the process. We carefully walk your family through the entire cremation process and keep you informed about your loved one along the way.
The importance of a final goodbye: Though a cremation may not include a service of any kind, many individuals and families opt for some kind of ceremony after the cremation. Whether small or large, formal or casual, end-of-life ceremonies hold profound significance, offering a space for loved ones to come together in grief. The comfort of uniting to shed tears, share memories and even find moments of laughter can be essential in the healing process.
Receipt of a loved one’s ashes: Unless you choose otherwise, some cremation providers return a loved one’s ashes in a cardboard box or plastic bag. Many cremation providers offer the choice of a beautiful urn of stone, wood, metal or glass. If the family plans on scattering, they may also offer eco-friendly decorative tubes and biodegradable or marine-safe containers just for that purpose. Though some families choose to have ashes returned to them by mail, others prefer a more ceremonious approach. That's why some families opt for quick, intimate gatherings at the funeral home. Even if it's only a few people for a few moments, such an event can provide a great deal of comfort and closure.
Disposition of a loved one’s ashes: It’s important to consider what will happen with a loved one's ashes after cremation. If they are to be scattered somewhere far from family, travel costs may be incurred. On the other hand, if the ashes are kept at home, they can be forgotten in a closet or lost during a move. For that reason, you may elect to have ashes buried, scattered or inurned at a cemetery. Siblings or grandchildren may opt to divide ashes for keepsake urns, cremation jewelry or artwork.

How to save on the cost of cremation or burial

As the price of cremation and the price of burial both continue to rise, pre-planned end-of-life arrangements offer a way to help reduce costs.

Prepaid plans allow you to lock in current prices, protecting against future price increases. They may also offer the option to prepay in affordable monthly payments. This thoughtful planning not only saves money, but it also simplifies the decision-making process for your loved ones while ensuring your wishes are honored.

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