Cheap Alternative Funerals: 8 Ways to Reduce Funeral Costs

Traditional funerals with viewing and services usually cost $7,000 to $12,000. Many families find these prices overwhelming, especially during an already difficult time.

After reviewing funeral providers and pricing across the country, we identified nine of the cheapest burial options and funeral alternatives that still allow families to honor their loved one with care and respect.

These options range from $995 direct cremation to natural burial and shared burial spaces. Each offers a different balance of cost, timing, and personal meaning.

If you’re looking for cheap alternative funerals and need help understanding your options about cremation, the After team is available 24/7. We offer clear pricing, honest answers, and support without pressure.

Call 1-844-760-0427 anytime or explore plans online.

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Comparison: 8 Cheap Alternative Funerals

*Note: All starred fees include the costs of a cemetery plot. Extra fees apply for using special event venues and funeral planners. 

You could save $1,000 to $4,000 by skipping the cemetery plot if you can legally bury on your own property. However, you still need to pay for a burial container, grave digging, and permits.

Before making plans, check your state's laws and contact your county clerk's office to ask about local zoning rules.

Can You Skip the Cemetery? Backyard Burial Laws

If you own land, you may be able to bury a family member on your own property instead of paying for a cemetery plot. This is called home burial or backyard burial.

What the law says:

According to Nolo, 47 states allow burial on private property. 

Only 3 states ban it completely: California, Indiana, and Washington State. Washington, D.C., also does not allow it. You must use a cemetery for burials if you live in these places.

Even in states that allow backyard burial, you must follow local zoning laws. These rules may require:

• Burying the body a certain distance from water sources, roads, or property lines
• Digging the grave to a minimum depth (usually 3 to 6 feet)
• Recording the burial location with the county
• Registering your land as a family cemetery

States that require a funeral director

Many states allow home burial but require you to hire a funeral director for at least part of the process: 

• Connecticut
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Louisiana
• Michigan
• Nebraska
• New Jersey
• New York

When a cemetery plot is mandatory:

• Your local zoning laws prohibit private burial.
• You rent your home (you cannot bury on property you don't own).
• Your property is too small or too close to water sources.

1. Direct Cremation

What it is:
A licensed provider transports the body, completes cremation, and returns the ashes. There is no viewing or service beforehand.

Who it’s for:
Families who want the lowest cost and prefer to plan a memorial later.

Direct cremation avoids expensive funeral home services like embalming, casket rentals, and ceremony facilities. These extras often add thousands of dollars to a traditional funeral.

At After, direct cremation starts at $995 and includes transportation, permits, a care specialist, and a temporary urn.

Key Benefits

• Flexible timing: Families can hold a memorial weeks or months later.
• Choice of memorials: Ashes can be scattered, kept in an urn, or placed in a memorial space.
• Major savings: Direct cremation costs far less than traditional funerals.

What It Includes

Transportation within 30 miles, required permits, climate-controlled care, 24/7 support, and return of ashes by certified mail.

Pricing Options

At After, our direction cremation pricing is clear and affordable:

• Base Package ($995): Basic cremation with local pickup
• Crest Package ($1,295): Adds one death certificate and in-state delivery
• Summit Package ($1,595): Adds extended transport, two certificates, and national shipping

Bottom Line

Direct cremation gives families time to grieve and plan without immediate financial stress. It remains the most affordable and flexible option.

2. Natural Burial

What it is:
Natural burial, also called green burial, focuses on returning the body to the earth with as little harm to the environment as possible. This means no embalming chemicals, no metal caskets, and no concrete vaults.

Natural burials take place at special green cemeteries certified by the Green Burial Council, or in green sections of regular cemeteries. These burial grounds often look like meadows or forests instead of traditional cemeteries with rows of headstones.

This option is different from immediate burial. Immediate burial happens quickly at a regular cemetery with a standard casket. Natural burial can include a ceremony and uses only biodegradable materials.

Who it’s for:
Families who want a simpler burial that has less impact on the environment.

How It Works

Burial takes place on protected land. Many cemeteries use native plants and may mark graves with GPS instead of headstones.

Cost Factors

• Green burial plot prices vary by location, with some up to $4,000+.
• Biodegradable caskets or shrouds come in a wide variety, from $200 to $1,500.
• Standard fees apply for burial permits, opening and closing the grave, and any associated event fees you have for a custom memorial.

Environmental Impact

Natural burial avoids toxic chemicals and reduces the use of metal and concrete. Some burial grounds also protect local wildlife and green space.

Bottom Line

Natural burial offers a meaningful, lower-cost alternative for families who value environmental care. This option is often less than a traditional burial because you skip embalming and expensive metal caskets. 

3. Home Funeral

What it is:
A home funeral means the family keeps and cares for the body at home after death, rather than sending it to a funeral home right away. This memorial happens before a burial or cremation.

Following the home funeral, the family still needs to choose cremation or burial. A home funeral can lead to either a cremation, an immediate burial, a natural burial, a body donation, or a traditional burial.

Who it’s for:
Families who want a more personal role in caring for their loved one. Here everyone can say goodbye in a private, personal setting. Families use dry ice to keep the body cool and manage care themselves.

Legal Requirements

The Funeral Consumers Alliance reports that families can legally care for their own dead in most states without hiring a funeral home. 

However, nine states require a licensed funeral director to handle at least some part of the process: Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, and Louisiana.

In every state, families must still file death certificates and obtain burial or cremation permits.

What You’ll Need

Dry ice (about 20–30 pounds to start, then 10–20 pounds per day), clean linens, clothing for the decedent, and a cool room. Most bodies can stay at home for 2–3 days with proper cooling. Add simple items like flowers or candles for decorations.

Practical Considerations

Home funerals require physical help and emotional readiness. Families should feel comfortable with hands-on care.

Bottom Line

Home funerals can be deeply meaningful and affordable for families who want close involvement.

4. Body Donation

What it is:
Medical schools or research programs accept the body for education or study. Cremated remains are returned later.

Who it’s for:
People who want to support medical research while keeping costs low. Most medical school body donation programs cover all expenses, including transportation, cremation, and return of remains. 

However, some schools require families to pay for transporting the body to the facility.

How to Arrange It

Registration should happen before passing. Families should also prepare a backup plan, since some donations are declined.

Timeline

Programs may keep the body for several months or up to two years before returning the cremated remains.

Who May Not Qualify

Programs may decline donations due to illness, injury, or timing issues. Each program has specific rules.

Bottom Line

Body donation removes funeral costs and supports medical education, but requires planning and patience.

5. Memorial Service Only

What it is:
A gathering held without the individual present. Families may use photos, remains, or shared memories. Doing this part yourself saves money on funeral costs, but you still need to pay for the cremation or burial separately as well. 

Who it’s for:
Families who want a meaningful service without funeral home expenses. 

Advantages

• Flexible timing: Hold the service when loved ones can attend.
• Location choice: Parks, homes, or meaningful places work well.
• Budget control: Families choose how simple or detailed the event is.

Planning Tips

Reserve venues early during busy seasons. Check permits for public spaces and plan for the weather.

Bottom Line

Memorial-only services give families creative control and reduce costs.

6. Immediate Burial

What it is:
Immediate burial means the body goes straight to a cemetery within a day or two after death. There is no viewing, no wake, and no formal service, though families can hold a short graveside ceremony if they wish. 

The Federal Trade Commission calls this "disposition without formal viewing, visitation, or ceremony with the body present."

This is different from natural burial. Immediate burial happens at a regular cemetery and uses a standard casket. The focus is on speed and low cost, not on helping the environment.

Who it’s for:
Families who prefer burial but want to limit costs. 

What It Includes

Transportation, a simple casket, grave opening and closing, and required paperwork.

What It Does Not Include

Headstones and long-term maintenance fees

Time Considerations

Families must make decisions quickly, which can feel stressful.

Bottom Line

Immediate burial costs less than traditional funerals but more than cremation.

7. Water Cremation (Aquamation)

What it is:
The staff places the individual in water with an alkaline solution.

Who it’s for:
Families looking for a lower-emission alternative to flame cremation.

Availability

Water cremation is legal in about half of the U.S. states. Availability depends on location.

Environmental Benefits

This method uses less energy and releases no smoke or mercury.

Bottom Line

Water cremation offers an environmentally friendly option where available.

8. Veterans Burial Benefits

What it is:
Free or low-cost burial for eligible veterans and their families.

Who it’s for:
Veterans with honorable discharge and qualifying relatives.

National cemetery burial includes the plot, headstone, and ongoing care at no cost. The family may receive allowances for costs.

Eligibility

Veterans must meet service requirements. Spouses and dependents may qualify.

How to Apply

Families provide DD-214 discharge papers and coordinate with the National Cemetery Administration or funeral provider.

Bottom Line

Veterans burial offers dignified services with little or no cost.

How We Researched These Funeral Alternatives

We compared full pricing, including hidden fees. We reviewed real family experiences and checked state laws, since rules vary by location.

We contacted more than 20 providers and reviewed public pricing data from state boards. We also considered environmental impact and planning timelines.

Which Cheap Alternative Funeral Should You Choose?

The right choice depends on your budget, timing, and personal values.

Direct cremation may work best if you:

• Need the lowest cost right away
• Want time to plan a memorial
• Prefer a simple process

Natural burial may fit if you:

• Care about environmental impact
• Want burial without high costs

Home funeral may fit if you:

• Want personal involvement
• Have family support

Body donation may fit if you:

• Want to support medical research 
• Can wait for remains

The Final Verdict

Out of all the cheap alternative funerals, direct cremation offers the best mix of affordability, flexibility, and dignity for most families. 

Starting at $995, it removes immediate financial stress while allowing time to plan a meaningful memorial.

Other options work well for families with specific values, beliefs, or preferences.

Prepaid cremation can also help families plan ahead by locking in today’s prices. The After team is available 24/7 to answer questions with care and clarity.

Call 1-844-760-0427 or explore plans online.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the cheapest funeral or burial options available?

The cheapest funeral option is direct cremation, starting at $995. Natural burial and home funerals also cost less than traditional funerals. Burial with a casket and plot usually costs more.

Can you have a funeral without using a funeral home?

Yes, you can have a funeral without a funeral home. Families must still file death certificates, obtain permits, and arrange cremation or burial. Some families hire a funeral director only to handle paperwork.

What happens if you cannot afford a funeral?

If you cannot afford a funeral, then consider a direct cremation, body donation, or county assistance programs. After also offers payment plans through LilyPay and community support options to help cover cremation costs.

Is direct cremation cheaper than burial?

Yes, direct cremation is much cheaper than a burial. The whole burial process often includes a casket, plot, vault, and headstone, which add thousands of dollars.