Frequently Asked Questions

The NFDA 2023 General Price List study reported national medians of $2,645 for direct cremation when the family supplied the container and $2,750 when the funeral home supplied it. These are dated research benchmarks, not current local quotes. Always request the provider’s current itemized General Price List. Source: NFDA report.

The FTC Funeral Rule (16 CFR Part 453) gives consumers important price disclosures and purchasing protections when dealing with covered funeral providers. Key protections include:

• Providers must give you a written, itemized General Price List (GPL) when you begin discussing funeral arrangements in person.
• You may select individual goods and services, subject to the basic-services fee and any legal requirements disclosed in writing.
• Providers must give price information by telephone when asked.
• If a provider offers direct cremation, it cannot require purchase of a casket and must disclose an alternative-container option.
• Providers cannot misrepresent legal embalming requirements.

Source: FTC — Complying with the Funeral Rule. File complaints at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Direct cremation is cremation without a prior funeral service, viewing, visitation or ceremony with the body present. A full-service arrangement may include viewing, visitation and a funeral ceremony before cremation. Included services, timing and prices vary, so compare current itemized General Price Lists rather than broad package estimates. Families choosing direct cremation can still hold a memorial service later. Read our guide to direct cremation.

As of 2024, approximately 60.5% of Americans choose cremation over burial. This rate has been rising steadily — up from 27% in 2000 and 50% in 2016. The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) projects the national cremation rate will reach 80% by 2040.

Rates vary significantly by state. Western states like Washington (80%+) and Nevada (78%) have the highest cremation rates, while Southern states like Mississippi (28%) and Alabama (32%) have the lowest.

Embalming is generally not part of direct cremation. The FTC Funeral Rule prohibits a covered provider from misrepresenting a legal embalming requirement and requires disclosure that embalming is not required by law except in certain special cases. Ask the provider to identify any claimed legal requirement in writing.

Waiting periods and required authorizations vary by jurisdiction and circumstances. CremationCheck does not currently publish an independently sourced state-by-state waiting-period table. Confirm the current requirement with the official state board linked from the relevant state page or with the establishment handling the arrangements.

Laws on scattering cremated remains vary by location:

• Private land: Generally permitted with the landowner's consent in most states.
• Public land: Rules vary. National parks may allow scattering with a permit. State and local parks have their own regulations.
• At sea: Federal law (the EPA Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act) permits scattering at sea at least 3 nautical miles from shore. No special permit is required, but the EPA must be notified within 30 days.
• By air: Generally permitted, though the FAA does not regulate the scattering itself — only any hazards to aircraft.

Check your state and local regulations before scattering. Many states have specific rules about scattering on waterways or near water treatment facilities.

Alkaline hydrolysis (also called water cremation, aquamation, or bio-cremation) is an alternative to flame-based cremation. The body is placed in a pressurized vessel with water and potassium hydroxide, which accelerates natural decomposition. The process takes 4–6 hours and produces a sterile liquid and bone remains (which are returned to the family as with traditional cremation).

Alkaline hydrolysis uses approximately 90% less energy than flame cremation and produces no direct emissions. As of 2025, it is legal in approximately 28 states, including California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, and Oregon. Cost is typically comparable to or slightly higher than direct cremation. Check your state page to see if alkaline hydrolysis is legal in your state.

Yes. Many cremation providers offer pre-need arrangements that allow you to plan and pay for your cremation in advance. Benefits include:

• Price protection: Locking in current prices against future increases.
• Reduced burden on family: Your wishes are documented, and the financial and logistical burden is minimized.
• Medicaid planning: Prepaid irrevocable funeral/cremation plans are generally exempt from Medicaid asset calculations in most states.

When prepaying, ensure funds are held in a state-regulated trust or insurance policy, not in the provider's general operating account. Ask whether the plan is transferable if you move or if the provider goes out of business. The FTC recommends getting all terms in writing.

Veterans may be eligible for burial benefits through the VA National Cemetery Administration, though the cremation itself is not directly covered. VA benefits for eligible veterans include:

• Free burial or columbarium placement at any VA National Cemetery (including the niche for cremated remains, opening/closing, and a government headstone or marker).
• Burial allowance: A partial reimbursement toward cremation/funeral costs — up to $2,000 for service-connected deaths, or a lesser amount for non-service-connected deaths.
• Presidential Memorial Certificate and a burial flag at no cost.

Eligibility requirements and benefit amounts are determined by the VA. Contact your local VA office or visit cem.va.gov for details. Our state pages list VA National Cemetery locations.