Cremation vs burial: the cost difference
The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) surveys funeral home price lists every two years. The latest study we could find is from 2023. It was released on December 8, 2023.
The national medians
In 2023 the median cost of a funeral with viewing and burial was $8,300. With a burial vault it was $9,995.
The median cost of a funeral with viewing and cremation was $6,280. That includes a cremation container and an urn.
These are medians. Half of funerals cost more and half cost less.
Neither figure includes the cemetery, a headstone or cash advance items such as flowers or an obituary.
Line by line, from the NFDA 2023 study
Both options share many of the same funeral home charges when there is a viewing. The difference is mostly the casket, hearse and vault on one side, and the cremation fee, container and urn on the other.
The NFDA release lists the basic services fee as $2,459 in the burial table and $2,495 in the cremation table. We show both as printed.
| Item (2023 national median) | Viewing and burial | Viewing and cremation |
|---|---|---|
| Basic services fee | $2,459 | $2,495 |
| Transfer of remains to funeral home | $395 | $395 |
| Embalming | $845 | $845 |
| Other preparation of the body | $295 | $295 |
| Facilities and staff for viewing | $475 | $475 |
| Facilities and staff for funeral ceremony | $550 | $550 |
| Hearse | $375 | Not included |
| Service car or van | $175 | $175 |
| Basic printed memorial package | $195 | $195 |
| Metal burial casket | $2,500 | Not included |
| Cremation fee | Not included | $400 |
| Alternative cremation container | Not included | $160 |
| Urn | Not included | $295 |
| Median total | $8,300 | $6,280 |
| Vault | $1,695 | Not included |
| Total with vault | $9,995 | Not applicable |
Costs in our region
NFDA also reports medians by region.
West South Central (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas): $7,912 with burial and $5,890 with cremation.
West North Central (includes Missouri and Kansas): $8,755 with burial and $6,713 with cremation.
East South Central (includes Tennessee): $7,615 with burial and $5,858 with cremation.
| NFDA region (2023) | States | Viewing and burial | Viewing and cremation |
|---|---|---|---|
| West South Central | AR, LA, OK, TX | $7,912 | $5,890 |
| West North Central | IA, MN, KS, MO, ND, SD, NE | $8,755 | $6,713 |
| East South Central | AL, KY, MS, TN | $7,615 | $5,858 |
Cemetery costs that burial adds [EST]
Burial usually brings cemetery charges on top of the funeral home bill. These vary a lot by place. The ranges below come from consumer guides, not from a national survey, so treat them as estimates.
Plot. In many rural areas a small nonprofit cemetery may sell a full grave for about $500. Some urban, for-profit cemeteries charge $5,000 to $10,000. CNBC Select lists $1,000 to $4,500. [EST]
Opening and closing the grave. This pays to dig and fill the grave. Rural nonprofit cemeteries may charge $300 to $500. CNBC Select lists $1,000 to $2,500. [EST]
Vault or grave liner. No state law requires one, but many cemeteries do. The NFDA 2023 median vault price was $1,695. Consumer guides put a liner or vault at about $700 to $1,500. [EST]
Marker or headstone. The Funeral Consumers Alliance says about $1,000 including engraving and setting. CNBC Select lists $1,000 to $3,000. [EST]
Cremation can avoid most of these costs. A cemetery plot or niche is only needed if you choose to bury or place the ashes.
| Cemetery item | Typical cost [EST] | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full grave, rural nonprofit cemetery | About $500 | Funeral Consumers Alliance (undated) |
| Full grave, some urban for-profit cemeteries | $5,000 to $10,000 | Funeral Consumers Alliance (undated) |
| Cemetery plot | $1,000 to $4,500 | CNBC Select (updated Feb 2026) |
| Opening and closing, rural | $300 to $500 | Funeral Consumers Alliance (undated) |
| Opening and closing | $1,000 to $2,500 | CNBC Select (updated Feb 2026) |
| Grave liner or vault | $700 to $1,500 | Funeral Consumers Alliance (undated) |
| Vault (national median) | $1,695 | NFDA 2023 study (survey, not an estimate) |
| Marker with engraving and setting | About $1,000 | Funeral Consumers Alliance (undated) |
| Headstone | $1,000 to $3,000 | CNBC Select (updated Feb 2026) |
Sources: Funeral Consumers Alliance, Guide to Cemetery Purchases; CNBC Select, How Much Does a Funeral Really Cost (updated Feb 23, 2026); FTC, Funeral Costs and Pricing Checklist
How many families choose cremation
Cremation is now the most common choice in the United States.
CANA reports a US cremation rate of 62.8% in 2025. That figure is provisional. CANA projects 69.1% by 2030.
NFDA's 2025 Cremation and Burial Report projected a 2025 cremation rate of 63.4% and a burial rate of 31.6%. NFDA expects cremation to reach 82.3% by 2045.
The two groups use different methods, so their numbers differ slightly.
Sources: CANA, Industry Statistical Information; NFDA, 2025 Cremation and Burial Report release; NFDA, Statistics
Common questions
Is cremation cheaper than burial?
Usually. In NFDA's 2023 study, the median funeral with viewing and cremation was $6,280. The median funeral with viewing and burial was $8,300, or $9,995 with a vault. Cemetery costs come on top of burial.
Do the NFDA figures include the cemetery?
No. NFDA's medians leave out the plot, opening and closing, the headstone and cash advance items like flowers and obituaries.
Is a burial vault required by law?
No. The FTC says no state law requires a vault or grave liner. Many cemeteries do require one to keep the ground from sinking.
What does opening and closing a grave cost?
It varies widely. The Funeral Consumers Alliance says some rural nonprofit cemeteries charge $300 to $500. CNBC Select lists $1,000 to $2,500. These are estimates.
What share of Americans choose cremation?
CANA reports 62.8% in 2025, a provisional figure. NFDA projected 63.4% for 2025 and expects 82.3% by 2045.