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Select Burial Site Casket or Urn
Funeral Planning & Arrangements
If burial or cremation is chosen, select and purchase a burial plot or crypt, and choose a casket or urn. Funeral homes can assist with this process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Costs
How much do caskets cost and where can I buy one?
Funeral home caskets typically range from $2,000-$10,000+, with the average around $2,500. However, under the FTC Funeral Rule, you have the right to buy a casket from any third-party retailer—Costco ($950-$1,800), Walmart ($800-$3,500), Amazon, or local casket retailers—and the funeral home must accept it with no handling fee. Caskets can be delivered within 24-48 hours from most online retailers.
Can I rent a casket for the funeral service?
Yes. Many funeral homes offer casket rental for viewing and funeral services, typically $500-$1,500. A rental casket has a removable interior liner that is replaced for each use, making it sanitary and dignified. After the service, the body is transferred to a simple cremation container or a less expensive burial casket. This is an excellent option if you want a formal viewing followed by cremation.
Do I need to buy a burial vault or grave liner?
Most cemeteries (not state law) require a vault or liner to prevent the ground from settling over the casket. A concrete grave liner costs $1,000-$2,000; a sealed burial vault costs $1,500-$5,000+. The difference is that vaults are fully sealed while liners are just a concrete box. The funeral home may imply a vault is legally required—it almost never is by law, only by cemetery policy. Ask the cemetery directly about their minimum requirement.
Options
What are my options for urns and how much do they cost?
Urns range from $25 for a simple container to $500+ for decorative options. Funeral homes typically charge $100-$400 for standard urns, but you can purchase from online retailers for $30-$200. Options include traditional vase-shaped urns, biodegradable urns for scattering or water burial ($50-$200), companion urns for two people, keepsake urns that hold a small portion of ashes ($20-$75), and jewelry pendants that hold a trace amount ($30-$100).