Caskets: Types, Costs, and What to Know Before Buying

Caskets are often one of the largest individual costs in a traditional funeral, and understanding the options can help you make a confident, budget-appropriate choice.

What materials are caskets typically made from?

• Cloth-covered wood — typically the least expensive option
• Solid wood (pine, oak, mahogany, and others) — a wide range of pricing depending on the wood type
• Metal (steel, bronze, copper) — often the most expensive category, with pricing varying by metal type and construction

How much do caskets cost?

The most recent national figure is NFDA’s 2023 median of $2,500 for a metal casket, as summarized by a cremation company. NFDA’s median for a burial vault was $1,695. A median is a middle price, and the range is very wide: a simple cloth-covered or wood casket can cost far less, and bronze or hardwood models cost far more. For cremation, the NFDA median for an alternative cremation container was $160. The casket is usually the largest single item on a funeral home’s price list, so it is worth comparing.

What do I get to see before I decide?

A written price list. The FTC says a funeral home must show you a written casket price list before you see the actual caskets. The same rule says it must also give you an itemized General Price List to keep and a separate price list for outer burial containers. The rule does not apply to third-party sellers such as online casket dealers, so check each seller’s return policy and delivery times.

Can I buy a casket somewhere other than the funeral home?

Yes. By law, under the FTC’s Funeral Rule, a funeral home must accept a casket purchased from a third-party retailer or online — without charging an extra handling fee for doing so. This can meaningfully reduce cost compared to purchasing directly through the funeral home.

Is an expensive casket a sign of more respect for the person who died?

No - casket choice is a personal and financial decision, and there’s no connection between price and how much someone is honored or remembered. Choosing a simpler, less expensive casket is not a lesser tribute to your loved one. Funeral homes are required to make their full price range available to you, not just steer you toward higher-cost options.

Do I need a casket for cremation?

No. If you’re planning direct cremation, a simple alternative container is used instead of a full casket — you’re not required to purchase one unless you specifically want a viewing beforehand.

What should I do next?

Ask the funeral home for its full itemized price list (the FTC’s Funeral Rule requires them to provide one) before deciding on a casket, and compare it against at least one online or third-party retailer’s prices for a similar option - the price difference is often significant. Remember you’re free to buy elsewhere without any handling-fee penalty.

Add this to your Final Day Plan: any casket or container preference you have, including whether you’d want family to shop outside the funeral home - it’s one less decision left to guesswork during an already difficult week.

Prices vary enormously by material, retailer, and region — request an itemized price list and consider comparing outside retailers before deciding.