Cremation vs Burial Savings Calculator
Cremation typically costs $1,000–$3,000 while a traditional burial runs $7,000–$12,000+. Adjust the options below to see your exact savings.
Cremation vs Burial Cost Calculator
Select your options below to compare costs side by side. Click any price to edit it with your local rates.
Cremation Options
Service Type
Urn
Additional Items
Burial Options
Service Type
Casket
Vault / Liner
Cemetery Costs
Additional Items
Cost Comparison
Estimated Savings with Cremation
Based on the options you selected above
Prices shown are national averages and may vary by location. Click any dollar amount to update it with pricing from your local area.
Why is cremation cheaper than burial?
Cremation skips the most expensive line items of a traditional burial: a casket ($2,000–$10,000), a burial vault ($1,000–$4,500), a cemetery plot ($1,000–$4,000), opening-and-closing fees, and a headstone. A direct cremation bundles transportation, the cremation, and return of the ashes into one low, flat fee.
How to save the most on cremation
Choose direct cremation (no viewing or ceremony beforehand), supply your own urn rather than buying the funeral home's, and compare at least three local providers — prices for the exact same service routinely vary by $1,000 or more between providers in the same city.
Estimates are 2026 national averages and vary by provider and location. Always request a written, itemized price list (required under the FTC Funeral Rule).
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