In recent years, the funeral industry has embraced technology, offering families more convenient, affordable, and personalized options for end-of-life arrangements.
Online cremation services have emerged as a prominent, affordable cremation option. They provide a spectrum of benefits while still catering to the emotional needs of bereaved families.
Here’s an overview of the top six online cremation services in the U.S., along with their pros and cons, followed by advice on how to make the most out of these services.
Not all these companies are truly nationwide due to the barriers to operating cremation and funeral services in every state.
However, the companies listed below have some of the most comprehensive national coverage and longstanding reputations.
1. DFS Memorials LLC – Nationwide Online Portal Connecting Families with Affordable Cremation Services
DFS Memorials was founded in 2012 to meet the lack (at the time) of an online presence and marketing of affordable cremation services. The privately owned company aims to help families find local, licensed cremation providers.
It also helps local cremation companies better reach their consumers online due to the longevity of the DFS Memorials platform.
Pros:
Cost-Effective: Focuses on connecting families with local, licensed, low-cost direct cremation providers with transparent pricing.
User-Friendly: Online simple locate a provider system with full disclosure of cremation prices to simplify the process.
Support: Portal connects families to licensed professionals 24/7 for immediate help.
Cons:
Limited Options: Primarily focuses on direct cremation, which might not suit everyone’s needs for memorialization.
Services: Direct cremation with options for urns and memorial planning.
2. National Cremation – The budget cremation brand of Service Corporation International (S.C.I)
National Cremation has been around since 1973 and has around 45 locations nationwide, making it one of the nation’s most accessible simple cremation options.
As Service Corporation International owns it, National Cremation can also benefit from ‘down-grade’ referrals from S.C.I.’s Dignity Memorial Funeral Home locations when a family is working on a budget.
Pros:
Experience: Service Corporation International (SCI) owns and operates one of the oldest providers, with a vast network across the U.S.
Comprehensive: Offers both immediate and pre-need services, with various package options.
Support: Provides resources for memorialization and grief support.
Cons:
Higher Costs: Might be more expensive compared to some newer, strictly online services.
Services: Cremation planning, cremation with or without service, urn selection.
3. Neptune Society – Direct Cremation Brand operated by S.C.I
The Neptune Society specializes in direct cremation services and has a network of over 60 locations across the U.S. It focuses largely on pre-need sales and has been criticized for its hard-core direct sales tactics.
It invests significantly in online advertising, direct mail, and community workshops in retirement locations.
Pros:
Wide Network: Over 60 locations, ensuring local service availability for many.
Reputation: Recognized brand due to consistent and robust marketing strategy.
Cons:
Direct Cremation Costs: Prices are usually higher than those of the most budget-focused services.
Emphasis on Pushy Sales Tactics: Some users report aggressive sales tactics for additional products.
Services: Pre-planning, immediate need, memorial services, and scattering at sea.
4. Smart Cremation – A brand operated by NorthStar Memorial Group (NSMG).
While Smart Cremation only offers online cremation services in 7 states, NorthStar serves families in 12 states with 85 locations.
Pros:
Price Disclosure: No cremation prices are disclosed online for consumers.
Convenience: Arrangements can be made entirely online, with 24/7 availability for immediate needs or pre-planning.
Cons:
Limited Physical Presence: Services are only available in select states, potentially limiting accessibility for some.
Services: Direct cremation, memorial planning, veteran services.
5. Tulip Cremation – A Foundation Partners Group (Afterall) direct cremation brand
Tulip Cremation was founded in 2017 by Tom Harries and later acquired by Foundation Partners Group (FPG). Tulip Cremation was acquired to spearhead the market share of direct online cremation services that FPG wanted to pursue.
Tulip Cremation currently serves seven states. However, FPG operates in 21 states with 230 locations so we may witness an expansion of Tulip’s market share.
In September 2024, FPG acquired JoinCake.com to expand its digital presence in online planning further.
Pros:
Affordable: Offers a competitive flat fee for direct cremation services in most areas.
No Hidden Costs: Transparent pricing model.
Quick and Easy: Streamlined online process for making arrangements.
Cons:
Geographical Limitation: Currently serving fewer states compared to some competitors.
Basic Services: More focused on simplicity, which might not include extras some families desire.
6. After Services, Inc. – A New ‘Player’ to the Online Cremation Market with Private Equity Backing
After Services, Inc., launched in 2020, is a newbie to the online cremation market. The company is built on a collaboration of a funeral industry pro, a tech cohort, and private equity with a lean towards tech. Mark Besos (yes, Jeff’s brother) is a key investor.
They have garnered over $12M in investment funds so far. They operate in 8 states and are based in Provo, UT.
Pros:
Affordable: Offers a comparably low transparent fee for direct cremation services.
No Hidden Costs: Online, simple, and transparent pricing & arrangement model.
Cons:
Geographical Limitation: Currently serving fewer states compared to some competitors.
Lack of Asset Infrastructure: The model is based on online non-overhead logistics using crematories’ existing infrastructure. It lacks a profit margin to sustain long-term viability.
Services: Direct cremation, with an emphasis on simplicity and cost.
Navigating Online Affordable Cremation Services: Our Findings
As the funeral industry adapts to a digital world, online cremation services offer families a more convenient, cost-effective, and accessible way to make end-of-life arrangements.
This overview of six key players in the online cremation space highlights a range of service models—from legacy providers with nationwide infrastructure to newer tech-driven startups.
While all offer direct cremation services, their pricing, geographic reach, and customer experience vary widely.
- DFS Memorials stands out for transparent pricing and connecting families with local, licensed providers nationwide.
- National Cremation and Neptune Society, both owned by SCI, offer wide coverage and experience but can be more expensive with aggressive upselling.
- Smart Cremation and Tulip Cremation serve fewer states but offer streamlined, online-focused services with upfront pricing.
- After Services, Inc. represents a new, tech-forward approach backed by private equity still in the early stages of national expansion.
Ultimately, families seeking affordable cremation should weigh cost, coverage, and transparency, ensuring they choose a provider that aligns with their needs and values during a sensitive time.
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.
