After a loss
It's okay to choose the simplest option
A simple funeral isn't a measure of love. Many families choose it on purpose.
Current as of October 2026. Laws and figures can change — see full disclaimer.
Families often feel that spending less on a funeral says something about how much they cared. It doesn't. Many people ask for the simplest option themselves, and many families choose it so they can put their time and money into a memorial that feels more personal.
The range, from simplest to most involved
| Option | What it usually includes | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Direct cremation | Transfer, cremation, a basic container, ashes returned. No viewing beforehand. | Lowest. Often a fraction of a full funeral, but prices vary widely by area. |
| Direct burial | Transfer and burial soon after death, no viewing or embalming | Low, plus cemetery costs |
| Cremation with a funeral or viewing first | Embalming, viewing or service, then cremation | Median $6,280 (NFDA, 2023) |
| Traditional funeral with burial | Embalming, viewing, service, hearse, casket | Median $8,300 (NFDA, 2023), plus cemetery costs |
The medians come from the National Funeral Directors Association and don't include cemetery charges such as the plot, opening the grave or a headstone. Prices for the same service can differ by thousands of dollars between funeral homes in the same town.
What a simple option doesn't rule out
- A memorial service later, at home, at a place of worship, in a park or anywhere that means something
- Scattering or burying the ashes on a meaningful date
- A gathering of any size, with or without a funeral home
What families often check in a quote
- The all-in price, including the basic services fee (the funeral home's flat charge for staff and overhead), permits, the death certificate and any medical examiner fee
- Whether a package includes things they didn't ask for, which can usually be removed
- Whether the lowest-priced option on the itemized price list matches what was quoted on the phone
Phrases worth noticing
- "What they deserve" or "what you'd want for them"
- "Most families choose…" when describing a more expensive package
- "This is required" without saying which law requires it
Under the FTC's Funeral Rule, funeral homes have to give an itemized price list, and families can choose only the goods and services they want, with some exceptions such as the basic services fee.
Writing down a preference ahead of time, even one line like "Keep it simple, direct cremation is fine," takes the guilt out of the decision for family.
- Median funeral with viewing and cremation (2023, excl. cemetery): $6,280
- Median funeral with viewing and burial (2023, excl. cemetery): $8,300
- Last verified: October 2026 against nfda.org