Funeral Type Finder

The main types of funeral

Two choices shape almost everything else. The first is what happens to the body: burial, cremation or green (natural) burial. The second is the kind of gathering: a service with the body present, a memorial without the body, or no service at all.

• Traditional full-service funeral. The FTC describes it as usually including a viewing or visitation, a formal funeral service, a hearse, and burial or cremation. It is generally the most expensive type.
• Direct burial. Burial shortly after death, usually in a simple container, without embalming or a viewing. The FTC says it usually costs less than a traditional funeral.
• Direct cremation. Cremation shortly after death, without embalming or a viewing. The ashes go to the family in an urn or container. The FTC says it usually costs less than a traditional funeral.
• Memorial service or celebration of life. A gathering without the body, often after burial or cremation has already taken place. A memorial is usually formal and a celebration of life usually more relaxed, but families use both terms loosely.
• Green burial. A burial with minimal environmental impact, usually without embalming and in a simple container or shroud. Rules differ by cemetery, so ask about containers, vaults and embalming before you commit.

What the finder can and can't tell you about cost

The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) publishes national median prices from its 2023 General Price List Study. It covers only two whole-funeral arrangements, and it leaves out cemetery charges, cash advance items such as flowers and death certificates, and taxes.

There is no national median for direct burial, direct cremation, green burial or a memorial, so the finder doesn't invent one. For those it lists the individual funeral-home lines that do have an NFDA median, such as the $2,459 basic services fee. For a full line-by-line estimate, use the funeral cost calculator, and compare burial and cremation with the cremation vs burial calculator.

Questions to settle before you choose

1. Did the person leave wishes, such as a will, a prepaid plan or a note to family? Those usually come first.
2. Does your faith or culture have rules or customs about burial, cremation or timing? Ask your clergy or community leader.
3. Do people need to see the body? If so, plan for a viewing, which usually means embalming or refrigeration.
4. Do relatives need time to travel? A memorial can wait for a date that suits them, while a service with the body present is tied to when the body is cared for.
5. What is the budget, including cemetery costs? Ask at least two funeral homes for their General Price Lists.

Under the FTC Funeral Rule, you can choose only the goods and services you want, and a funeral home must give you its General Price List when you ask in person and quote prices over the phone. If you are planning ahead, our funeral planning timeline shows what happens and when.