Short answer: Funeral and cremation services range from direct cremation with no ceremony to a full funeral with burial. The right choice depends on wishes, faith, budget and timing. NFDA's 2024 medians were about $8,300 for a funeral with burial and about $6,280 for cremation with a service. Compare itemized prices before deciding.
What services can I choose from?
- Traditional funeral
Visitation, service, procession and burial.
- Cremation
Cremation with or without a viewing or service.
- Direct cremation
Cremation with no ceremony beforehand. Often the lowest cost.
- Memorial service
A gathering without the person's body, held when you are ready.
- Burial and cemetery
Plots, vaults, headstones and care fees.
- Green and water
Natural burial, water cremation and similar options.
- Body donation
Donating a body to medical education or research.
- Pre-planning
Write down wishes and collect prices ahead of time.
- Veterans
VA burial benefits, markers and honors.
- Transport and repatriation
Moving a body between states or countries.
How do I decide which service fits?
| If this sounds like you | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You want the simplest, lowest-cost option and a later gathering | Direct cremation | No ceremony or facility charges before cremation |
| You want to say goodbye in person, then cremate | Cremation with viewing or service | Viewing and ceremony, then cremation |
| Faith or family expects a traditional ceremony and a grave | Traditional funeral | Visitation, ceremony and burial in a cemetery |
| Relatives need time to travel | Memorial service | Held days, weeks or months later |
| Environmental impact matters to you | Green or water options | No vault, simple container, alternative process |
| You want to support medical education | Body donation, with a backup | Programs often cover transport and cremation |
| You are planning for yourself or a parent | Pre-planning | Record wishes and compare prices without paying |
| The person served in the military | Veterans benefits | VA burial benefits may apply |
| The person must be moved to another state or country | Transport and repatriation | Permits, containers and two providers |
What do these services usually cost?
NFDA's 2024 General Price List study found a national median of about $8,300 for a funeral with viewing and burial and about $6,280 for a funeral with cremation and a service. In our 2026 review, published direct cremation prices ranged from about $495 to roughly $2,000. Local prices differ, and cemetery and third-party costs are often extra.
Our costs hub explains what drives the numbers and links to the estimator and city pages.
Where should I start?
- A death has just happened
Who to call and what can wait.
- Understand costs
Medians, price drivers and your rights.
- Compare providers
Get itemized quotes from licensed local providers.
Whichever option you choose, the FTC Funeral Rule gives you the right to itemized prices and to choose only the goods and services you want.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest funeral option?
Direct cremation is typically the lowest-cost option. In 2026 we saw published prices from about $495 to roughly $2,000.
Do I need to decide everything right away?
No. You need to arrange care of the person soon, but ceremonies, ashes and memorials can wait.
Can I combine services?
Yes. Many families choose cremation followed by a memorial, or a funeral with burial of the ashes later.
How do I compare providers?
Ask each for its itemized General Price List and compare totals for the same plan.
Compare itemized prices from local providers
Tell us what you are considering and we will try to match you with licensed local providers who quote itemized prices. No pressure and no obligation.