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Wilmington Cremation Services
Direct cremation from $2,050. Compare 13 local providers, read real reviews, and get free quotes — no pressure.
Wilmington Cremation Costs — 2026
Prices vary widely. Here's what to expect in Wilmington.
$2,050–$2,870
No funeral service, simple container. The most affordable option.
$6,150–$8,700
Includes cremation plus a memorial or graveside service.
$8,415–$11,135
Viewing, funeral service, then cremation. Most comprehensive option.
Save Money on Cremation in Wilmington
Prices can vary by $1,000+ between providers in Wilmington. Always compare at least 3 quotes to ensure you're getting a fair price. Use our free quote form below to get started.
About Cremation in Wilmington, North Carolina
Located in North Carolina, Wilmington is a mid-to-large city of about 115,000+ people with a healthy selection of cremation options. Direct cremation here is priced at $2,050–$2,870, which is well above the national average. Residents appreciate both the quality and competitiveness of local cremation providers.
At $2,050–$2,870, direct cremation costs in Wilmington run above Charlotte's $895–$2,390 range. It's worth comparing providers across the area, as a short drive could yield significant savings.
Given that cremation pricing in Wilmington is among the highest in the region, it's worth investing extra time in research. Request itemized quotes, compare across cities, and don't feel pressured to decide quickly. We list 13 providers in Wilmington on this page to jumpstart your search.
Cremation in North Carolina
North Carolina's cremation rate has been rising steadily, with Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro offering the most provider choices. Prices generally fall below the national average.
North Carolina Cremation Laws
North Carolina requires a 24-hour waiting period before cremation. A medical examiner must provide authorization, and the next of kin must give written consent.
Money-Saving Tip
North Carolina's growing cremation market means new low-cost providers are entering the market regularly. Check for newer providers who may offer introductory rates below established competitors.
Cremation Providers in Wilmington, NC
Compare pricing, reviews, and contact info for local providers.
13 providers
Recent Google Reviews
I want to express my heartfelt thanks to Javoke & Jennifer and the entire staff of Davis for their extraordinary care and compassion during the unexpected passing of our beautiful beloved Sherry. Their outstanding service and care were a tremendous comfort to us, and we are deeply grateful for the kindness and respect they showed us during this difficult time.
My 97 year old great grandmother went home. These guys did a wonderful job with her. Thank you!!
The best funeral home in Wilmington, NC
Recent Google Reviews
The kindness and patience and care I got from everyone here was soo beautiful. They made all preparations so easy and were very comforting to me as I was reeling from my husbands passing. Ive had so much caring follow up from the staff and they really made me feel cared for. They took care of every detail with class and care.
Staff is extremely knowledgeable. Very compassionate and helpful. They assisted us through a very difficult time. I feel very fortunate that we found them .
Took care of arrangements for my mom to be brought to NY to be buried beside my dad. Very nice gentleman when I got my mom's belongings that made me feel comforted.
Recent Google Reviews
Dustin was incredibly sympathetic and attuned to my needs and took care of details I wasnt even aware of
Lisa was kind and truly cared about making sure the experience was the best it could be.
Coble also owns two beautiful cemeteries: Greenlawn Memorial Park, located right next door, and Oleander Memorial Gardens, situated off of Bradley Drive just behind the Wilmington Arboretum. Oleander Memorial Gardens features exquisite landscaping, including new cremation Gardens, and has magnificent live oak trees and a serene lake. The funeral home houses both the staff and business office under one roof, enhancing convenience. While convenience is generally appreciated, it becomes crucial during times of loss, as many matters are time-sensative. You have the option to prearranged services, allowing your family to appreciate the same convenience while fulfilling your wishes. The staff is incredibly welcoming, creating a family atmosphere that you feel a part of the moment you make a call or step through the door.
Direct Cremation
$2,400
Cremation + Memorial
$8,700
Full Service
$11,135
Recent Google Reviews
I live out of state and was visiting my brother when he suddenly passed. I was advised to call around to get prices for cremation. After a few calls I remembered the funeral home we used for my mom. I immediately felt at peace after talking with Hank. I had a consultation with Scott who was so informative and helpful. To top it off, Jay (I hope I have his name right) Reworked my brother's obituary and brought me to tears. I feel such gratitude for everyone I came in contact with at Andrews Mortuary.
I am very impressed with the professionalism and kindness showed to me and my family by the staff of Andrews. Mr. Anderson was soft-spoken and not pushy. He even offered less expensive options. We are very happy with the casket we chose for our Mother. If needed, we would choose Andrews again.
The Andrews Mortuary staff are the most considerate and thoughtful service members I've encountered in a long time. My mother's death was sudden and unexpected and Andrews answered our call and handled her arrangements perfectly and without question. Each staff member I worked with was sincere, responsive, helpful, knowledgeable and professional; particularly in an extremely emotionally difficult time for my family. I will pre-plan my arrangements with Andrews for peace of mind. I cannot emphasize what a great company Andrews is.
Recent Google Reviews
Super friendly group of people. They seem to be very compassionate towards the families
Everyone, start to finish, was very professional, polished
Recent Google Reviews
Thank you Connie and the staff for everything you did with the services of my great grandmother. It was a beautiful service.
Mrs.Drain, handled the services for my mother. We had a service and a cremation after. She did everything through the phone with us by us living many states away. Once we arrived in town we sign all of our paperwork that was necessary. The director we dealt with there was a pastor and presented us with scripture and love. Thank you to Drain Funeral Home staff. They also offered to provide transportation to us from the hotel, but we didnt need it .
Went above and beyond the call of duty to make sure my papi looked like himself. Driver in Limousine was kind. They were extremely polite and attentive at our hour of grief. Thank you Mrs.Conie.
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Recent Google Reviews
Best price, best people, best choice. Atlantic Cremation came highly recommended by hospice , for good reason. They were not pushy, they were kind and helpful. They even have a cute puppy dog that works there. Thank you Sean and your staff for everything you do.eee
Did a wonderful job. Just wish web site was better.
Courteous and understanding people. The kind I would want my family to have.
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Recent Google Reviews
Best funeral home in Wilmington NC. So much compassion. You all are the best.
The staff was awesome and caring. Miss Elizabeth was so kind . Plus very helpful
Everyone was so kind and helpful from the first call. I appreciated their pricing was listed online so I at least had a rough estimate of the total costs. They provided great service, were very affordable and they were able to meet a tight timeline. I would highly recommend
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Recent Google Reviews
There were several issues that arose in the process of taking care of my sisters grave preparation and the burial. I was really nervous about it all and so relieved when I relieve and everything was in place and ready for her beautiful service. Thank you so much for seeing that everything was well organized and well done!
Heather was great to work with
Thank you for providing a beautiful and reverent resting place for both my Uncle and Grandmother.
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Recent Google Reviews
Thank you all for everything. Everything was very professional. I will recommend someone else to you all. Thank you so much.
My experience has been amazing. Everyone made me feel so comfortable and put me at ease. They are comforting and very professional. My mother was done perfectly. Mr. Boykin and the whole staff has been the best.
Going home services for my niece Crystal Jones were as always excellent! Best funeral home for service and commitment! Thank you so very much&&&Jones Horton Family
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Recent Google Reviews
Thank you so much for taking care of my sweet Buttons Ellis. d He was my best friend. I was so touched by the compassion and detail from Perkins. The keepsakes are so meaningful and help me feel like Buttons is still with me.
I used Perkins Goodbye Hugs in coordination with Coastal Pet Hospice. Coastal Pet Hospice arranged Perkins arrival and services which was a huge relief for me during my senior cats quick decline. Perkins was immensely kind and respectful. They promptly arrived at my home to pick-up my cat and had her remains ready within 24 hours. They then delivered her back to my home as soon as I was available. This was a huge relief for me during a difficult time and a huge assistance.
I lost my 20 year old cat and chose Perkins for cremation. They put together the most beautiful memorial box for us and they were very quick to get the remains back to me. In less than 24 hours from his death, I had my cat's ashes, a clay paw print and some locks of fur. I am grateful to know his body didn't sit out and will cherish the keepsakes forever. Highly recommend!
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Recent Google Reviews
They helped to make a sad experience better with their caring, politeness, quick service, empathy.
My baby girl Piper passed away 1/18/26 it was very sudden and I took her into the vet expecting them to give her some medications and then Id be taking my baby home.. little did I know theyd call me the next day saying her heart stopped& no one is prepared for something like this! this was the most heartbreaking experience of my entire life and honestly the vet didnt show any compassion at all they would giggle at little things like I didnt just loose a huge piece of my life!& so I wasnt very pleased with them but when receiving my baby back and seeing how much care and love was put into her cremation from Southeastern Pet Cremation meant the absolute world to me!! All the vet gave me was a ink print of her paw and an ugly red clay print that wasnt even dry, as well as the blanket I asked for that I held her last in and they made sure to remind me it was theirs then giggle about it when they gave it back to me&.. So I wanted to thank Southeastern Pet Cremation for the kindness an
Last Sunday my fiances 16 yo Yorkie Glitzy Girl passed away in her arms. I contacted Chris and he was very helpful and told us to get there safely and he would wait for our arrival. He was so kind and considerate making sure to respect our Glitzy Girl and our feelings. He made the paw prints for us while we were there and then showed us the options in urns. We picked out one that had a picture frame in it so we went to Walgreens and had some pictures printed. Chris was kind enough to place it in the urn for us. While we were gone he even took time to wash the towel that we had wrapped Glitzy in. We would definitely make this drive again just hope its not anytime soon.
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Recent Google Reviews
I highly recommend Tranquility by Aquamation because they took care of everything we needed in a timely manner. The memorial service couldnt have been better due to their input and support.
Tranquility was a shinning light for me at a trying time. Their caring and customer service was above and beyond. They handled EVERYTHING for me and even dropped my mom's ashes and DC's to my house. I cannot express my gratitude enough to Samantha and Dave. Thank you!!! Your process needs no improvement and I have not said that many times in life. I highly recommend Tranquility to everyone.
I can't say enough about Tranquility Cremation. Samantha was very compassionate during the worst time of our lives and she took such amazing care of our baby. If you need cremation services, please call them.
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How to Choose a Cremation Provider in Wilmington
5 Questions to Ask
- 1.What's your total price for direct cremation, including all fees?
- 2.Are you licensed in North Carolina?
- 3.How long does the cremation process take?
- 4.What payment options do you offer?
- 5.Can I see recent customer reviews?
Red Flags to Watch For
- ✗Refusing to provide itemized pricing
- ✗Pressure to decide immediately
- ✗No physical address or phone number
- ✗Unlicensed or unverified credentials
- ✗Hidden fees not disclosed upfront
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Wilmington Cremation FAQs
How much does cremation cost in Wilmington?
Direct cremation in Wilmington, North Carolina ranges from $2,050–$2,870 based on current provider listings. Prices vary by provider, so we recommend comparing at least 3 quotes.
What is the cheapest cremation option in Wilmington?
Direct cremation (no funeral service) is the most affordable option, starting at $2,050 in Wilmington. Providers like Davis Funeral Home offer transparent, all-inclusive pricing that covers transportation, a basic container, the cremation itself, and return of ashes.
How do I arrange a cremation in Wilmington?
Contact a licensed cremation provider in Wilmington directly. Most providers handle all arrangements including transportation, required permits, filing the death certificate, and returning the ashes. Many offer phone or online arrangements. You can compare 13 providers in Wilmington on this page.
Does North Carolina require a waiting period before cremation?
Most states including North Carolina require a waiting period of 24–48 hours after death before cremation can take place. Your cremation provider in Wilmington will handle all timing requirements and obtain the necessary permits.
Can I have a funeral service with cremation in Wilmington?
Yes. Many families in Wilmington choose a traditional funeral service before cremation, or a memorial service afterward. Cremation with memorial services starts around $6,150–$8,700 in Wilmington.
What is the difference between cremation and burial costs in Wilmington?
Cremation is significantly less expensive than traditional burial in Wilmington. Direct cremation starts at $2,050, while a traditional burial with casket, vault, and cemetery plot typically costs $7,000–$12,000 or more. Cremation also eliminates ongoing cemetery maintenance fees.
How long does the cremation process take in Wilmington?
In North Carolina, the entire cremation process typically takes 3–5 business days from when the funeral home receives the remains. This includes obtaining required permits and death certificates. The cremation itself takes 2–3 hours.
Do I need to buy an urn from the cremation provider?
No. Under the FTC Funeral Rule, cremation providers cannot require you to buy an urn from them. They must return ashes in a basic container at no extra charge. You can purchase an urn separately from any retailer, often at a lower price.
What happens to the ashes after cremation?
After cremation in Wilmington, the ashes (cremated remains) are returned to the family in an urn or basic container. Families can keep them at home, scatter them in a meaningful location (following local regulations), place them in a columbarium, or bury them in a cemetery.
Can I pre-plan or pre-pay for cremation in Wilmington?
Yes. Many cremation providers in Wilmington offer pre-planning and pre-payment options that let you lock in today's prices and relieve your family of making decisions during a difficult time. Contact providers directly to ask about their pre-arrangement plans.
Cremation Guides & Resources
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Affordable Cremation: How to Find Low-Cost Services
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Learn how to compare cremation packages and services, what basic vs. premium packages include, pricing tips, and your FTC Funeral Rule protections in 2026.
Cremation CostsUsing Life Insurance to Pay for Cremation
Learn how life insurance can cover cremation costs, including how to file claims, assignment of benefits, final expense policies, and alternative funding options.
Cremation Services in Other North Carolina Cities
Compare cremation costs in nearby North Carolina cities.
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