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Cremation costs vary widely by service type and location. Direct cremation (no viewing or funeral-home ceremony) is typically the simplest and least expensive path; cremation with a memorial or full-service funeral costs more. National industry averages sit in the low thousands for direct cremation and higher when viewing and ceremony are added. Use the guide below to see what changes the price, and check live After pricing for your area.
Key takeaways
Direct cremation averages about $1,924 nationally, according to Funeralocity (2026). A funeral with viewing and cremation had a median cost of $6,280 in the NFDA's 2023 study. The biggest drivers of average cremation cost are the amount of ceremony you add, where you live, and extras like urns and extra death certificates. After shows one clear Base price for your area in the table below; confirm your ZIP on /pricing.
If you need help now, a Care Specialist is available 24/7 at (844) 905-2639.
Cremation cost by type
The type of cremation service you choose matters more than anything else. Direct cremation costs the least, and the price rises as you add a viewing, a ceremony, or both.
Direct cremation. Your loved one is brought into care, cremated, and the ashes are returned to you. There is no viewing, no embalming, and no funeral-home ceremony. Funeralocity reports a national average of $1,924 (2026). Many families hold their own gathering later.
Cremation with a memorial service. The cremation happens first. Then a service is held, often with the urn present, at a funeral home, place of worship, or elsewhere. Costs sit between direct cremation and a full-service funeral. The exact figure depends on the venue and what the funeral home provides.
Full-service cremation. This looks like a traditional funeral. It includes embalming, a viewing, and a ceremony, with cremation afterward. The NFDA puts the 2023 national median at $6,280, not including a cemetery niche, flowers, or an obituary.
Here is how those compare.
These are industry figures, not After's prices. Our price for your area is shown in the next section.
Sources: Funeralocity, "What Is Direct Cremation and How Much Does It Cost?" (Aug 2026); NFDA 2023 Member General Price List Study.
Live After pricing in your area
After offers all-inclusive direct cremation at one clear Base price for your area. You can see example market prices here, then confirm on /pricing.
After Base direct cremation prices by market (fetched from after.com pages on 2026-10-30, America/Denver). These are Base-plan figures shown on the cited pages. Confirm against /pricing before publish; prices can change by market and package.
For your ZIP, see live pricing at /pricing.
This includes: transportation into care for up to 25 miles, refrigeration in a climate-controlled facility, filing permits and preparing the death certificate, a basic cremation container, the cremation itself, return of the ashes, and a dedicated Care Specialist.
After.com keeps costs low by operating online with upfront, transparent pricing and no hidden fees.
See full details on our pricing page, or call (844) 905-2639 to talk it through with a Care Specialist. We are here 24 hours a day.
What you're paying for
A cremation price covers a handful of real services, not just the cremation itself. Knowing them helps you read any quote.
Transport into care. Bringing your loved one from the place of death, whether a home, hospital, or care facility, to the provider's care.
Paperwork and permits. Filing the death certificate with the state, getting the cremation permit, and any medical examiner release. This takes staff time and must be done correctly.
Care before cremation. Refrigeration or other sheltering while permits are processed and the required waiting period passes.
The crematory fee. The cremation itself. The NFDA 2023 median for this single line item was $400.
A cremation container. A simple, combustible container is required. The NFDA 2023 median was $160.
Return of ashes. A basic container or temporary urn. A decorative urn is usually extra. The NFDA 2023 median for an urn was $295.
Death certificates. Certified copies are issued by the state or county for a per-copy fee. You will likely need several for banks, insurance, and accounts.
Source: NFDA 2023 Member General Price List Study.
Hidden fees to ask about
Some quotes look complete but leave out charges that show up later. A few direct questions can keep that from happening.
Ask about each of these before you agree to anything.
After-hours pickup. Some providers charge more for transport at night or on weekends.
Mileage. Many quotes include transport within a set radius. Beyond that, a per-mile fee may apply.
Refrigeration or sheltering. Some providers charge by the day while permits are processed.
The basic services fee. Funeral homes add a non-declinable fee for staff and overhead. The NFDA 2023 median was $2,459. Ask whether it is in the quoted total.
Medical devices. Pacemakers and some implants must be removed before cremation. Some providers charge for this.
Weight. Some providers add a fee above a certain body weight.
Death certificates and urns. Ask how many certified copies are included, if any, and what the return container is.
A good provider will answer every one of these plainly. If a provider cannot put the full total in writing, keep asking until they do.
Cremation cost varies by region
Where you live changes the price. The same direct cremation can cost hundreds of dollars more in one metro than another.
Prices tend to be higher in large coastal cities and lower in the Midwest and South, though there are exceptions. Local regulation, crematory availability, and the cost of doing business all play a part. A national average is a reference point, not a quote for your town.
After's Base price is set by location. See the market table above, then confirm on /pricing. For local detail, see our city guides: cremation cost in Houston, cremation cost in Los Angeles, cremation cost in Seattle.
Direct cremation: a closer look
Direct cremation is the simplest form of cremation and the one most families mean when they ask about cost. It skips the viewing and funeral-home ceremony entirely.
Because it leaves out embalming, a casket, facility rental, and staff for a service, it costs far less than a full-service funeral. It also means fewer decisions right after a death. You can still gather to remember the person later, wherever that feels right.
If you want cremation and no services at all, our guide to cremation without services covers that option in detail.
For the full process, what is included, and what to expect, read our direct cremation guide.
How to compare quotes
Ask every provider for a written, itemized price list and compare the same items side by side. Federal law gives you that right.
Under the FTC Funeral Rule, a funeral home must give you a General Price List (GPL) when you ask in person and must quote prices over the phone. Use this checklist when you compare:
Does the total include transport, permits, the crematory fee, the container, and return of the ashes?
How many death certificates are included?
What could be added later? Mileage, after-hours pickup, refrigeration, device removal.
Is the provider licensed in your state, and who performs the cremation?
Can you see the price online before calling?
Will they give you time to share options with family?
If one quote is much lower than the others, ask what it leaves out. If one is much higher, ask what it adds.
Why families choose After
Families who pick After usually want a clear price, licensed local care, and someone who answers the phone.
- One clear Base price for your area. Table above; confirm on /pricing.
- All-inclusive essentials. Transport (up to 25 miles), refrigeration, permits and death-certificate filing, container, cremation, return of ashes, Care Specialist.
- Licensed care. After is legally licensed by the funeral boards in every state we serve. You can view After's current licenses at after.com/licenses.
- Arrange by phone or online. Care Specialist 24/7 at (844) 905-2639.
- Prepaid cremation plan if you are planning ahead → /prearrange.
4.86 average on Trustpilot from 1,312 reviews:
Communication was exceptional, so we were kept well informed at each stage of the process. Pricing clear with enough options to cater exactly to our wishes. Everything was smooth.
KP, 5★ on Trustpilot, Mar 26, 2025
They handled everything with so much care and respect, From the cremation planning to post service support, their team was compassionate, clear, and professional
Reed Chandler, 5★ on Trustpilot, Nov 23, 2025
every step of the process was clear and efficient. we felt very taken care of during such a profound loss. Ruy C., our care specialist, was incredibly kind and thoughtful throughout.
Emilio Svich, 5★ on Trustpilot, Oct 12, 2024
If you want to know more about who we are and how we work, our page on whether After is legitimate answers the questions families ask most.
Lock in the price you see with a prepaid cremation plan
A prepaid cremation plan lets you choose and pay for direct cremation now, at the price you see. Your family will not have to make these decisions, or find the money, later.
With After, you set up the plan online or by phone. Your wishes are on file. When the time comes, your family calls one number and everything is already in place.
Learn more at /prearrange.
Frequently asked questions
How much does cremation cost on average?
Funeralocity reports a national average of $1,924 for direct cremation (2026). The NFDA reports a 2023 median of $6,280 for a funeral with viewing and cremation, not including a cemetery niche, flowers, or an obituary. After's Base price for your area is in the table above and on /pricing.
What's included in an all-inclusive direct cremation price?
An all-inclusive price should cover transport into care, permits and death certificate filing, sheltering before cremation, the cremation container, the cremation itself, and return of the ashes. Ask what is not included, such as extra certified death certificates or an upgraded urn. After's all-inclusive Base inclusions: transportation into care for up to 25 miles, refrigeration in a climate-controlled facility, filing permits and preparing the death certificate, a basic cremation container, the cremation itself, return of the ashes, and a dedicated Care Specialist.
Why do some quotes look lower then rise?
Some quotes list only the crematory fee or leave out transport, the basic services fee, or permits. Others add charges for mileage, after-hours pickup, or refrigeration later. Always ask for the full itemized total in writing before you agree.
How long until ashes are returned?
Ashes come back within 7–14 days, depending on the delivery option the family selects: hand delivery, USPS delivery, or local pickup by the family. A Care Specialist will tell you what to expect for your area when you call (844) 905-2639.
Are online cremation providers licensed?
Reputable ones are. After is legally licensed by the funeral boards in every state we serve. You can view After's current licenses at after.com/licenses. We arrange funeral or cremation services online in every state we serve. Ask any provider which license they hold and in which state. You can learn more about arranging online in our online cremation guide.
Can the family decide together before we pay?
Yes. You can review prices and details online, share them with family, and have several people join a call with a Care Specialist. Nothing is final until you choose to proceed.
Direct cremation vs cremation with a service: what's the cost difference?
The difference is the service itself. Direct cremation skips embalming, a viewing, facility rental, and staff for a ceremony. Using industry figures, direct cremation averages $1,924 (Funeralocity, 2026) while a funeral with viewing and cremation had a median of $6,280 (NFDA, 2023). Many families choose direct cremation and hold their own memorial later.
Are payment plans available?
We offer flexible monthly payment plans exclusively through LilyPay, with options for 3, 6, 9, or 12 monthly installments. At this time, we are unable to accept county assistance programs. Your dedicated Care Specialist will guide you through the LilyPay payment process. A Care Specialist can walk you through the options at (844) 905-2639.
How do I start with After?
Call (844) 905-2639 any time, or start online at /pricing. A Care Specialist will guide you from there.
Arrange with After
Call (844) 905-2639 to reach a Care Specialist 24/7, or arrange online. If you are looking for a provider close to home, see our guide to cremation services near you. For the bigger picture on funeral spending, read how much a funeral costs.
Dallin Preece
CRO, After.com - Cremation & Preplanning Divisions
Published Date:
August 1, 2025



