Funeral Cost / Casket Cost
Casket cost compared: material and rights
Caskets span a huge price range, and it comes down to a short list of factors — mainly material and craftsmanship. You've also got more control over this cost than most realize, thanks to a federal rule worth knowing before you shop.
Material drives price
Solid hardwoods and heavier metals (bronze, copper) sit at the top. Lighter steel and veneered wood sit in the middle. Cloth-covered wood, fiberboard, and other minimalist options sit at the low end — fully appropriate choices, not a downgrade.
Craftsmanship and finish
Priced like furniture beyond raw material — interior fabric, hardware, joinery, finish work all add cost as detail and labor scale up. Same base material, very different price points once craftsmanship is factored in.
Your legal right to buy elsewhere
Under the FTC Funeral Rule, you can buy a casket from a third party — including online — instead of only through the funeral home. They have to accept it, no handling fee allowed. If you want to control this cost directly, that right matters.
The rule, fast
Funeral home must accept an outside casket, no fee added. Quoted a "casket handling charge" anyway? Question it — not allowed under the rule.
Renting for a viewing before cremation
Want a viewing before cremation without buying a casket outright? Rental caskets exist for exactly this, paired with a separate cremation container. Worth asking about.
Getting a real number, fast
Material, craftsmanship, and regional pricing all move independently — only an accurate number comes from a direct quote, provider or third-party seller, for your specific casket. Once you have that figure, size your final expense policy around it with room to spare.