Direct Cremation vs. Traditional Funeral

What does direct cremation include?

The cremation itself, without a viewing or a ceremony with the body present. The FTC Funeral Rule defines it as “a disposition of human remains by cremation, without formal viewing, visitation, or ceremony with the body present.” A funeral home has to list the services included in each direct cremation it offers, and give a separate price for one where you provide the container.

You don't need a casket. The home has to offer an alternative container, and you can hold a memorial service any time afterward, with or without the funeral home.

What does immediate burial include?

A burial without a viewing or ceremony, though a graveside service is allowed. In the Rule's words, it's burial “without formal viewing, visitation, or ceremony with the body present, except for a graveside service.” The price list has to show a separate price for an immediate burial where you provide the casket.

The funeral home's price doesn't cover the cemetery's charges for the grave or for opening and closing it. Get those from the cemetery.

How do the prices compare?

Here are the median prices on file in our database for each option, with the range that covers the middle half of homes:

What does a traditional funeral add to the cost?

Each extra is its own line item, because the Funeral Rule makes the funeral home price them separately. These are the ones that usually push up the bill:

• Embalming and other preparation of the body.
• Use of facilities and staff for a viewing, and for the funeral ceremony.
• Hearse and limousine.
• A casket, priced on the casket price list, and an outer burial container if the cemetery requires one.
• The basic services fee, which is added to anything not already packaged with it.

How do I choose between them?

• You want a viewing with the body present. You'll need more than a direct cremation or immediate burial, and embalming may be necessary.
• You want a burial. Immediate burial with a short graveside service is the cheaper route. Add the cemetery's charges on top.
• The person was a veteran. Burial in a VA national cemetery and VA burial allowances may cover some of the cost. See VA burial benefits on VeteranFunerals.
• Cost matters most. Direct cremation with a memorial gathering later is usually the lowest total.