The last three years have brought significant changes to the funeral industry. Funeral homes were unexpectedly thrust into a crisis as COVID-19 deaths and restrictions on social gatherings forced the industry to adapt very quickly as last responders. Now, inflation and rising gas prices are impacting the industry. So, here we review what we can expect for cremation costs in 2024.
The table below provides a breakdown of low-cost direct cremation costs in major cities and links to contact a local low-cost cremation provider if you have an immediate need for an affordable cremation service.
Change in the cremation rate in 2023
Cremation was already a fast-growing trend that funeral homes were adapting to. The cremation rate hit almost 60% in 2022. (NFDA Cremation & Burial Report). As a result of the pandemic, cremation became the only viable disposition option for many families and funeral homes faced with making funeral arrangements without holding a funeral service. If anything, the pandemic probably opened up the concept of cremation for disposition to a much wider audience.
Although no data is yet available on the final cremation rate for 2023, I expect it to be higher than projected as a result of the economy and consumers changing views on cremation as an affordable and convenient disposition option.
The shift to online cremation price comparison and arrangement
Another trend in funeral consumer behavior is the expectation to find cremation prices online. According to The Foresight Company 2020 Funeral and Cemetery Consumer Study, 75% of people seeking cremation services want transparent online pricing. With 52% claiming they only want to arrange services with a funeral home that provides clear online cremation pricing.
This consumer behavior trend could likely continue to impact cremation pricing into 2023, with more funeral homes adopting online price lists. And, as cremation consumers continue to price-shop online, funeral homes will need to adapt their marketing strategies for online cremation consumers. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is presently reviewing funeral legislation requiring funeral homes to be required to disclose prices online.
How did 2023 impact cremation prices in 2024?
From our observations with the DFS Memorials low-cost cremation network, we have observed some fluctuation in direct cremation prices going into 2023. With an increased volume of cremation cases and a competitive market for cremation services, I had anticipated the cost of cremation to remain static or even decrease.
However, the after-effects of the pandemic, rising gas prices, funeral home acquisitions, and a lean toward greener deathcare alternatives have had a significant impact during 2023, actually causing the cost of a simple cremation to increase in many areas.
In 2023, 40% of the cremation providers in the DFS Memorials national cremation network INCREASED their base cremation price. These increases ranged from $50 to $750 increase on a direct cremation service package. And as we move into 2024, we are observing more increases coming into effect from January 1st, 2024.
So, why do cremation prices seem to be fluctuating in some areas?
This may be because there is still a comparative shortage of cremation retorts serving some areas. Installing cremation equipment can be costly. Many small funeral homes could not afford to install their own cremation retort as the cremation rate grew.
Instead, using the trade services of another local crematory. Also, some funeral homes have faced zoning issues when trying to add crematory facilities. Especially as traditionally, funeral homes were located in residential areas. Funeral homes have encountered resistance from residents who have expressed concern about the potential emissions from a crematory nearby.
The rise in gas prices in 2023 affected cremation costs across the country. We are witnessing cremation package price increases to reflect the rising cost of transport charges and crematory gas supply.
2024 Breakdown of Cremation Costs
The price for a cremation service still varies considerably. Even within the same area, you will find different funeral homes and cremation providers charging different prices for a similar service. Therefore, it pays to shop around.
Below, we have included a breakdown of the low and high cremation prices in the top most populated metropolitan areas in the United States to give you an idea of how much a cremation cost can vary in a city.
Click on a city to contact the DFS Memorials provider for the area.
| City | State | DFS Memorials -Low-cost cremation price | Most expensive cremation price |
| New York City | NY | $595 | $10,200 |
| Los Angeles | CA | $925 | $4,450 |
| Chicago | IL | $1,165 | $4,600 |
| Houston | TX | $749 | $6,570 |
| Phoenix | AZ | $850 | $5,975 |
| Philadelphia | PA | $1,295 | $4,950 |
| San Antonio | TX | $795 | $3,875 |
| San Diego | CA | $1,195 | $2,790 |
| Dallas | TX | $795 | $6,300 |
| Austin | TX | $795 | $3,095 |
| Jacksonville | FL | $695 | $3,695 |
| Fort Worth | TX | $795 | $4,045 |
| Columbus | OH | $695 | $4,090 |
| Charlotte | NC | $1,295 | $4,400 |
| San Francisco | CA | $1,195 | $3,790 |
| Indianapolis | IN | $850 | $6,100 |
| Seattle | WA | $895 | $3,855 |
| Denver | CO | $795 | $4,012 |
| Washington DC | DC | $1,645 | $7,600 |
| El Paso | TX | $925 | $2,090 |
| Nashville | TN | $995 | $4,400 |
| Las Vegas | NV | $895 | $2,350 |
| Atlanta | GA | $895 | $4,590 |
| Miami | FL | $795 | $4,545 |
The prices quoted are for a direct cremation service.
What is a direct cremation?
Direct cremation is sometimes referred to as low-cost cremation, basic cremation, or economical cremation. No funeral services are provided as part of the service. The deceased is collected from the place of death, sheltered in refrigeration, the legal paperwork is completed, and then the cremation is conducted.
There is no viewing, embalming, or ceremony. Once the cremation is completed, the cremated remains are returned to the family.
It is a simple and direct service that keeps costs down. This simple, affordable, ‘no-fuss’ cremation option is proving a growth trend in the cremation sector. It had been a steadily growing trend, and the pandemic only exacerbated the demand.
In some states, it is even possible to arrange a direct cremation without needing the services of a funeral home.
Will cremation costs remain the same in 2024?
We would all love to be able to predict the future! But, alas, the best forecasts can be affected by unexpected events.
Some older crematories (such as in New York City) are struggling to cope with the increased demand for cremation. Older equipment can overheat, trying to keep up with the capacity. Newer cremation equipment can handle a higher capacity of cremations per day, but installing new equipment (or upgrading) is an overhead that a funeral home will need to recover in its costs.
Many small independent funeral homes, already coping with declining revenue due to the shift to cremation, cannot afford the overhead (or risk) to add new cremation equipment now.
With rising costs, some providers cannot afford to upgrade old equipment or install new cremation retorts, which is likely to have an ongoing impact on cremation prices nationally.
How the rising costs of gas, cremation permits, and emission regulations may continue to affect cremation prices.
The cost of gas is another factor that could impact cremation prices in 2024. According to a report from Met Group in 2020 forecasting natural gas prices from 2020 to 2025, we are likely to see a rise in price due to a few factors.
- The continuing coronavirus pandemic
- The switch to greener, renewable energy sources
- The Saudi Arabia-Russia price wars
- Weather
Before a cremation can go ahead, the local county coroner must issue a cremation permit to the crematory or funeral home. A few years ago, coroners often issued permits to the funeral director at no charge. Today, these permits vary in price depending on the county, and many have increased the charge for issuing a cremation permit significantly.
Most cremation permits range from $10.00 to $60.00, but Wisconsin has some of the highest charges in the country. A cremation permit in Milwaukee County costs $357.00.
With the current focus on renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions, it is quite possible that new legislation on monitoring and managing crematory emissions may affect existing crematories. In some EU countries, where the cremation rate has been at 70% (or above) for some years, recent EU emissions legislation meant many crematories had to install new equipment to reduce their emissions. The cost of this resulted in consumer cremation costs increasing.
What alternatives to low-cost cremation may emerge?
Cremation has gained traction in the last decade, most significantly because of cost. Yes, there are other influencing factors. Simply put, for many families, direct cremation became the only low-cost alternative to arrange a funeral. Some counties even switched from indigent burial to direct cremation to reduce their budgets for indigent funerals.
However, with more focus on climate change and greener alternatives, new green funeral alternatives are emerging. Water cremation and natural organic reduction (NOR) or human composting are two new greener disposition alternatives. At the moment, both these options are still relatively costly compared to a low-cost direct cremation.
Similarly, natural green burial presents a more affordable and natural alternative to cremation but still costs more than a simple cremation. If there is an increasing interest in natural burial, there is a chance the costs could decrease. A 2023 survey by the NFDA found that almost 52% of Americans expressed an interest in green burial options.
In 2024, a green burial is still going to cost between $3,000 and $5,500 because it is a niche option, and there are limited green burial sites and providers. Natural burial could potentially offer a long-term solution to addressing affordability and sustainability in the death care industry. If natural burial could be offered at a comparative cost to cremation.
Pre-planning a direct cremation in 2024
Are you thinking about the benefits of establishing a cremation plan? Do you want to ensure you have a pre-need plan in place for your own peace of mind and your family?
Pre-arranging a cremation now is a great way to lock in prices. But, do be aware that any plan or policy you take out now will include an incremental cost element to cover future cremation costs.
Another way to pre-plan is to document your final wishes, sign the authorizations, and secure the appropriate funds in a POD bank account. You can adjust the funds annually to reflect the current direct cremation price in your area.
Final thoughts….
These last few years have reminded us that nothing endures and that we should make the most of what we have right now. But it also reminded us that we should be prepared for the unexpected.
As Benjamin Franklin famously said, “Nothing is certain except death and taxes” in this world. It often seems to me that the people have been extorted by both for a century or so. Funerals DO NOT need to be expensive. A simple cremation, or simple burial, can be conducted for less than $1,500. Hopefully, with the online tools we now have and a greater awareness of researching options, more families will access affordable funeral options in 2024.
The DFS Memorials affordable cremation network aims to help families connect with a local cremation option from an independent funeral home.
I have been researching and writing about the death care industry for the past fifteen years. End-of-life services and experiences are topics most people avoid thinking about until they must face them. My work provides comprehensive and independent resources for families, explaining the workings of the funeral industry, the laws governing funeral practices, and the death care trends that impact consumers. With a BA in Cultural Studies, I bring a unique perspective to analyzing cultural death care rituals, complemented by a career background in Business Management. The death care industry is undergoing significant changes, which I find fascinating. The shift towards cremation services and the emergence of sustainable alternatives like aquamation and human composting are of particular interest. I am also intrigued by how technology is reshaping the funeral planning process and experience. I write for US Funerals Online and DFS Memorials LLC, and contribute to various forums and publications within the death care industry.
