There are many concerns and questions to tackle after losing a loved one. Can you rent a casket for cremation? How much does it cost to rent a casket for a funeral?

Yes, you can rent a casket for cremation. Rental caskets work for families who want traditional viewings before cremation. Rental fees range from $725 to $1,250.

The team at After guides you through the process of simple cremations with transparency and care. Call us 24/7 at 1-844-717-5170.

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What Are Rental Caskets?

A rental casket is a reusable casket used for viewings and funeral services. It includes a sturdy outer shell and a removable interior insert. Your loved one rests in the insert during the service.

Staff place the individual in the insert, which is often wood or cardboard. The insert includes a one-time-use fabric liner and slides gently into the rental casket. Once inside, the liner isn’t visible.

Following the service, only the insert goes to the crematory. Staff clean and reuse the outer shell for future services, while the insert meets all cremation facility requirements.

When Do Families Use Rental Caskets?

Families use rental caskets for a viewing before cremation instead of purchasing one. They make this choice for several reasons:

• Families plan a public or private viewing and want loved ones to see the decedent one last time.
• Religious services require the decedent to be present during the ceremony.
• Some families choose a hybrid service that combines traditional funeral elements with cremation.
• Cultural traditions call for an open-casket service before cremation takes place.

Most cremation families skip the rental casket entirely and choose direct cremation with a memorial service held separately.

Do You Have to Buy a Casket for Cremation?

The question, "Do you buy a casket for cremation?" comes up frequently during funeral planning.

Caskets are not required for cremation. This is one of the biggest misconceptions about cremation planning. Cremation facilities only require a basic cremation container.

They make these containers from cardboard, pressed wood, or fiberboard. They are fully combustible and meet all facility requirements.

Cremation containers cost much less than traditional caskets. You only need a casket if you plan to hold a viewing or an open-casket service before the cremation.

Many families choose direct cremation without any viewing, which eliminates the need for a casket at all.

How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Casket?

It costs $725 to $1,250 to rent a casket, according to industry data. This covers the convenience fee to clean the casket and transfer your loved one to the cremation container.

‍Here's how rental costs compare to purchasing:

Renting a casket costs less than buying one and still allows for a traditional-looking service before cremation.

Who Offers Casket Rentals?

Most traditional funeral homes offer casket rentals as part of their service packages. These funeral homes keep rental caskets in different styles and price ranges.

If you choose to hold a viewing, the funeral home handles all logistics, including cleaning and transferring your loved one afterward.

Some full-service cremation providers also offer casket rentals for families who want a ceremony. These providers offer more options than direct cremation companies but still focus primarily on cremation services.

Does After Offer Casket Rentals?

No, After does not offer casket rentals or viewing services. We specialize in simple, direct cremation. Our process does not include embalming, ceremonies, or traditional funeral add-ons.

By focusing only on cremation, we remove the cost and complexity of rentals and in-person services. Our goal is to make cremation affordable, transparent, and stress-free.

Our Base Cremation Package starts at $995 and includes everything needed for a complete direct cremation:

• Professional cremation services
• All permits and required paperwork
• A basic scattering urn
• One to two death certificates
• Transportation of your loved one
• 24/7 support from our Care Specialists

There are no hidden fees, no rental charges, and no pressure to upgrade.

Can You Rent a Casket For Cremation? Pros and Cons

Pros

• Rental caskets cost less than buying a casket, often saving families thousands of dollars: Most purchased caskets range from $2,000 to $5,000, while rentals cost under $1,250.
  
  
• Rental caskets enable traditional funeral rituals without the expense: Your family can hold open-casket viewings and funeral services just like traditional burials. You get the same ceremonial experience at a fraction of the cost.
  
  
• Rental caskets are more environmentally conscious: This is because the casket gets reused. One casket serves multiple families instead of a cremation or burial after single use. This reduces waste and conserves resources.
  
  
• Families who want to see their loved one before cremation often choose rental caskets for the viewing: Rental caskets make this possible without the financial burden of purchase.

Cons

• Rental caskets still add $700+ to your cremation costs: Direct cremation uses simple containers that cost much less. The rental fee represents a significant expense increase over basic cremation services.
  
  
• Rental caskets offer limited style and design options compared to purchasing: Funeral homes typically stock only a few rental models. You can't customize materials, colors, or decorative features like you could with a purchased casket.
  
  
• Rental caskets are not available from all cremation providers: Many cremation-focused companies don't offer rental services. You may need to work with traditional funeral homes that charge higher overall fees.
  
  
• Rental caskets require additional coordination between the funeral home and crematory: The transfer process adds complexity to arrangements. The staff must move the individual from the rental casket to a cremation container before the actual cremation.

Alternatives to Rental Caskets

You have several cost-effective options besides renting an expensive casket.

Simple Cremation Container with Private Viewing

Many funeral homes allow brief private viewings using just the cremation container. These containers look presentable enough for intimate family gatherings.

This option costs much less than a full rental while still providing closure. You avoid rental fees but maintain the ability to see your loved one.

Direct Cremation with Memorial Service

Direct cremation does not require a casket. Families can hold a memorial service separately after cremation. This approach separates the practical cremation from the ceremonial celebration. Families get more time to plan meaningful tributes without time pressure. 

Memorial services can be more personalized and less expensive than traditional funerals.

Closed-Casket Ceremony

Some families prefer closed-casket services using less expensive containers. A closed-casket ceremony preserves traditional funeral elements while avoiding the cost of a viewing.

You can still hold religious or cultural ceremonies with the decedent present. The focus shifts to celebrating life rather than viewing the deceased.

Immediate Cremation Services

Direct cremation eliminates viewing costs entirely while maintaining dignity. After provides transparent pricing with no hidden fees for families who prefer this streamlined approach. You receive the same professional care without expensive ceremony add-ons.

Easy Cremation Services with After

We’re here to answer all your questions, including “Can you rent a casket for cremation?” After specializes in straightforward cremation services that save families time, money, and energy. We focus on helping you honor your loved one's memory without financial stress.

We don't currently offer casket rentals, but we excel at dignified, affordable cremation services. Our transparent pricing means you know exactly what you're paying upfront. No surprise fees or pressure to buy expensive add-ons.

Our Base Cremation Package starts at $995 and includes all essential services. This represents significant savings compared to traditional funeral home cremation packages that often exceed $3,000.

Many families have used After to arrange cremation services in advance of a loved one’s passing. Ready to learn more about simple cremation services? Visit After to see our complete package details. Call us anytime at 1-844-717-5170. We're here to help 24/7.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does It Cost To Rent a Casket for a Funeral?

It costs $725 to $1,250 on average to rent a casket for a funeral. This price covers the rental fee, professional cleaning between uses, and transferring your loved one to a cremation container afterward.

The exact cost depends on your location and the funeral home's pricing structure. Some funeral homes include rent-a-coffin fees in cremation packages, while others charge separately.

Do You Need a Casket for Cremation?

You do not need a casket for cremation. Cremation facilities only require a simple combustible container made from cardboard, pressed wood, or fiberboard. These basic containers cost $200 to $625, much less than traditional caskets. 

Rental caskets are only necessary if you want a viewing or funeral service before cremation.

Can I Use a Rental Casket for a Religious Service?

You can use a rental casket for most religious services. Rental caskets work for any ceremony that requires the decedent to be present during the service. Most faiths accept rental caskets for funeral masses, memorial services, and traditional ceremonies.

Check with your religious leader about any specific requirements for your faith tradition before making arrangements.

Are Rental Caskets Sanitary and Safe?

Yes, most rental caskets are sanitary and safe. Funeral homes thoroughly clean and sanitize all rental caskets between services. The removable interior insert that comes in contact with the individual is brand new for each service.

Can I Rent a Casket Directly, or Only Through a Funeral Home?

You cannot typically rent a casket directly from third-party suppliers. Most casket rentals go through funeral homes because they own the rental inventory and handle all logistics.

Funeral homes coordinate the cleaning, transport, and transfer services that rental caskets require. Some independent cremation providers offer rental options, but direct rental from casket manufacturers is uncommon in the industry.