Cremation costs $1,300 to $6,280 in 2026
The National Funeral Directors Association puts the national median for a funeral with viewing and cremation at $6,280, against $8,300 for a funeral with burial. Direct cremation, with no viewing or ceremony, usually runs about $1,300 to $3,200, with national averages near $1,900 to $2,300.
Cost by type
| Direct cremation | About $1,300 to $3,200, averages near $1,900 to $2,300. |
|---|---|
| Funeral with viewing and cremation | $6,280 national median (NFDA). |
| Funeral with viewing and burial | $8,300 national median. |
| Basic services fee | $2,495 national median. |
| Transfer to the funeral home | $395 median. |
What pushes a quote up
| Direct or with services | Viewing and ceremony add the most. |
|---|---|
| Embalming | Needed for many viewings, $845 median. |
| Urn | Can be bought separately. |
| Provider type | Direct cremation specialists often cost less. |
| Region | Prices vary widely by area. |
Your right to an itemized price list
The Federal Trade Commission's Funeral Rule gives families the right to itemized, transparent pricing. You can ask any funeral home for its general price list, choose only the items you want, and bring your own urn or casket.
Cremation is now the most common choice. The NFDA projected a 63.4 percent cremation rate for 2025, against 31.6 percent for burial.
Direct cremation plus a memorial
Many families choose direct cremation and hold their own memorial later, which keeps the funeral home bill low.
How to judge the quote in your hand
- Ask for the general price list.
- Ask what the direct cremation price includes.
- Ask about the basic services fee.
- Ask if the urn is included.
- Compare two providers.
Ways to pay less
- Choose direct cremation and a separate memorial.
- Buy the urn elsewhere.
- Skip embalming if there is no viewing.
- Compare price lists.
What will this cost me?
Pick the job, your state's cost level and the last detail. The estimate updates as you change them.
An estimate built from published 2026 cost guides. It is not a quote. Get a written quote before work starts.
Common questions
How much does cremation cost?
Direct cremation about $1,300 to $3,200. With viewing and a service, the national median is $6,280.
Is cremation cheaper than burial?
Usually. The burial funeral median is $8,300.
Can I buy an urn elsewhere?
Yes. The FTC Funeral Rule protects your right to choose items.
What is direct cremation?
Cremation with no viewing or ceremony at the funeral home.
Other service costs
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped.