How Much Does a Casket Cost?

Last Updated on March 31, 2025
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

When beginning to plan memorial services and make funeral arrangements for a loved one, one of the most pressing questions that arises is – how much does a casket cost? Casket prices can range dramatically based on materials, quality, features, retailer markups, and custom upgrades selected.

In this guide, we’ll explore average pricing, differences between materials and styles, cost-saving tips, regulations around casket purchasing, and strategies to find affordable options to memorialize family members within your budget.

How Much Does a Casket Cost?

On average, caskets range in cost from $1,000 at the very low end, up to $10,000 or more at high-end funeral homes. Budget-conscious families can find suitable options for as low as $500-$800.

On a national level, casket pricing averages:

• Basic economy caskets – $800 – $2,000
• Mid-range caskets – $2,000 – $4,000
• High-end caskets – $4,000 – $10,000+

According to data from the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the median retail price charged for an adult casket in the U.S is around $2,400.

Only around 19% of caskets sold are priced above $5,000. Approximately 12% of caskets selected cost below $1,000. High-end ornate models over $10,000 are rarer.

So, while caskets can climb into the tens of thousands, the vast majority of families aim for affordability and spend $3,000 or less.

According to Lincoln Heritage, the average cost of a casket ranges from $2,000 to $5,000, with metal and wooden models being the most common. Metal caskets, such as steel or stainless steel, range from $850 to $3,050, depending on gauge thickness. Wooden caskets are priced between $1,000 and $3,550, with premium options like mahogany and walnut costing up to $5,400. Budget-friendly options are available at retailers like Walmart ($1,000–$2,700) and Costco ($900–$13,000).

On Everplans, Costco offers caskets priced between $950 and $2,600, including shipping. Best Price Caskets lists 18-gauge steel models starting at $995, while wooden veneer caskets start at $1,220. Specialty options like cedar or poplar caskets range from $1,400 to $3,999.

The article on Overnight Caskets reports that online retailers offer competitive pricing, with most models costing between $1,000 and $2,500. Pine box caskets start at $999, while solid mahogany models can cost up to $4,100. Walmart and Amazon also sell affordable options ranging from $800 to $2,900.

According to Titan Casket, their prices start at $699 for cloth-covered models and go up to over $1,999 for premium designs. Specialty caskets like their Veteran Select Air Force model are priced at $1,699, while oversize caskets start at $1,399.

Lastly, Memorial Planning states that the average funeral home price for a casket is between $2,500 and $3,000, but direct-to-consumer retailers often provide more affordable options.

What is a Casket?

A casket is a funerary box specially designed for holding and burying human remains for underground burial. They consist of a lid and base container crafted from various materials such as wood, metal, or fiberboard.

Caskets are designed to permanently inter the deceased in the ground, so they are built more heavily and ornately than containers used for cremation. They also differ from tapered rectangular coffins used above ground in mausoleum crypts. The terms casket and coffin are often used interchangeably today.

The primary purpose of the casket is to provide a suitable memorial vessel for permanent burial and final viewing of the deceased before committal. It represents the final surrounding for the body.

What Factors Affect Casket Pricing?

Several primary factors influence casket pricing:

Materials Used – More expensive woods, metals, and ornate materials drive up costs substantially compared to basic pine or cloth-covered wood. Exotic hardwoods and bronze command premium pricing.

Construction Quality – Thicker metal gauges, finely polished finishes, and detailed joinery raise prices over economy manufacturing.

Added Features – Lined interiors, protective seals and gaskets, customized exterior panels, and high-end hardware increase costs.

Brand Reputation – Leading casket manufacturers such as Batesville often fetch higher pricing due to brand recognition and perceived quality.

Retailer Markups – Traditional funeral homes add substantial markups of 200-400% over wholesale. Third-party sellers offer pricing closer to wholesale costs.

The main takeaway – the more intricate and specialized the casket materials and construction, the higher the retail cost. Understanding these dynamics helps guide smart purchases.

You might also like our articles about the cost of a headstone, hearse, or cemetery plot.

Casket Types by Material

One of the top factors determining casket pricing is the primary material it is constructed from. The most common types on the market include:

Wooden Caskets

• Pine or poplar – $800 – $2,000
• Maple, cherry, oak, or walnut – $2,000 – $5,000
• Exotic hardwoods like mahogany – $3,500 – $10,000+

Metal Caskets

• 18-gauge steel – $1,500 – $3,000
• Stainless steel or copper – $4,000 – $7,000
• Bronze – $7,000 – $10,000+

Eco-Friendly Options

• Cardboard or wicker – $500 – $1,500
• Bamboo or seagrass – $2,000 – $3,000

As shown, the pricing spectrum is very wide. Harder wood species, thicker steel gauges, and high-end metals like bronze command the highest prices. Those wanting green or cost-effective options can find caskets under $1,000.

Beyond materials, stylish design upgrades like carved accents, padded interiors, and ornamental hardware increase costs. Simple cloth interiors and basic wood boxes offer savings.

Costs By Retail Source

Where you purchase a casket heavily sways pricing. Traditional funeral homes, online casket sellers, and third-party showrooms each provide different value propositions:

Funeral Homes

• Markups of 200-400% over wholesale costs
• Bundled casket packages along with funeral services
• Convenience of single-vendor purchasing

Online Casket Retailers

• Wholesale or near-wholesale pricing with lower overhead
• Wider selection of styles not available locally
• Transparent pricing and ability to comparison shop

Third-Party Casket Showrooms

• Sold at or near wholesale cost by cutting out funeral home markups
• Lower prices by purchasing direct from manufacturers
• Can shop and compare without sales pressure

Savvy consumers who research options can save hundreds if not thousands over funeral home prices. But bundled packages provide simplicity for some families.

Rental Casket Options

Many families consider renting a casket for viewing and funeral services, then cremating the deceased after. This allows honoring traditional burial rites without the high cost of purchasing a casket outright.

Typical rental casket prices range from $800 on the low end up to $1,200 or more for ornate rental units. Renting provides significant savings of 40-60% over buying. Cremation is then completed in an inexpensive combustible container.

If burial is not required for religious or personal reasons, rental caskets enable full memorialization and remembrance without extended financial burden.

Infant and Child Caskets

Sadly, there is also a market for specialty infant and child-sized caskets for families experiencing unthinkable grief. Typical pricing includes:

• Infant Caskets – $50 to $500+
• Child Caskets – $500 to $3,000+

Many compassionate funeral providers steeply discount or donate infant caskets. Some charities like Angel Gowns nonprofit also provide handmade infant casket gifts.

Smaller caskets still feature delicate details – a final gesture of care and warmth. Families appreciate sensitivity lowering costs during traumatic loss.

Additional Costs

Planning budgets should account for frequent add-ons beyond the casket alone:

Vaults or Grave Liners – Required in many cemeteries to further protect the casket. These range from $1,000 – $5,000.

Engraving and Custom Panels – Personalization can add $200 – $500 to the base price. Name plates, memorial portraits, and engraved designs are popular options.

Premium Hardware – Ornate handles, hinges, and closing mechanisms can add $100 or more per piece. Goes hand-in-hand with custom panels.

Interior Upgrades – Satin linings, cap panels, and plaquettes to honor hobbies or military service come at a premium.

Pre-Planning and Pre-Purchasing

To ease financial stress, many families choose to pre-plan and pay for funeral arrangements gradually via payment plans. Others pre-purchase caskets outright to lock in set pricing.

Prepaid funeral plans allow you to pay over months or years in installments, through a trust or life insurance funding. This avoids needing to come up with thousands at once later.

Pre-purchasing caskets provides price protection against inflation. You can ensure your wishes are met for hundreds less than future costs. Take time to compare and negotiate.

Finding Affordable Options

While caskets are a core funeral cost, there are avenues to obtain suitable models at reduced pricing:

• Group Buyers – Join online groups to buy direct from manufacturers at wholesale pricing.
• Online Sellers – Third-party online casket retailers offer wider variety at lower costs.
• Membership Discounts – Warehouse clubs like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s sell caskets to members at 20-50% discounts over funeral homes.
• Government/VA Assistance – Discounted or free caskets for qualifying veterans or low-income families.
• Crowdfunding – Sites like GoFundMe provide a compassionate way to raise casket funding from community donations.

With research and planning, paying $1,000 or less for a respectful casket option is achievable for budget-focused families.

Legal Rights Regarding Casket Purchasing

There are a few key regulations and consumer rights to note regarding casket purchases:

The FTC Funeral Rule protects your right to purchase a casket from any third-party seller, preventing funeral homes from forcing casket purchases only from them. You also cannot be charged additional “handling fees” for outside caskets.

State laws vary regarding requirements for burial containers and cemetery-mandated vaults. Be aware if a grave liner is an additional required expense. Note any restrictions on materials.

While funerals involve emotional decisions, knowing legislation protects economically-motivated requirements provide reassurance.

Metal Casket vs Wooden Coffin

Let’s compare traditional metal caskets with rectangular wooden coffins:

Caskets feature tapered, contoured designs for viewing, wide selection of materials/finishes, and average $2,000 – $4,000.

Coffins offer simpler rectangular shaping, limited hardwood varieties, and lower costs around $1,000 – $3,000.

Many providers today use the terms interchangeably. But traditional coffins remain an economical alternative.

Total Funeral Costs

While the casket is a core expense, additional funeral costs should be factored:

• Burial plot – $1,500 average
• Graveside service – $2,000 average
• Memorial printing – $200+
• Death certificates – $200+

In total, expect to spend $7,000 – $12,000 or more for a full traditional funeral and burial. Cremations offer significant savings closer to $4,500 on average. Every dollar counts for many families.

Save on Casket Expenses

Beyond shopping around, pre-planning and financing strategies can reduce costs:

• Start a dedicated funeral savings fund to cover casket, headstone, plot, and other anticipated expenses.
• Prepay for the full funeral or just the casket through installment plans to lock in lower pricing.
• For veterans, enroll in a VA life insurance policy to cover major funeral costs that will be reimbursed.
• If permitted, purchase cemetery plots in advance to avoid price inflation over time. Headstones as well.

Planning ahead, even gradually putting aside money, prevents having to cover high upfront final expenses.

Expert Advice

“I always recommend that families look at all possible options for caskets, from basic models all the way up to high-end customized versions. Having the full pricing spectrum helps avoid overspending out of emotion, allowing you to make practical choices aligned with budget realities and the wishes of the deceased. Don’t be afraid to negotiate respectfully on cost with your funeral provider.”

• Mark Ellsworth, Funeral Director at Fisk Funeral Home

“If you have financial limitations but want to respect religious or cultural burial traditions, renting a casket just for viewing and funeral services can provide immense savings versus buying outright. The difference of a thousand dollars or more makes a huge impact for struggling households. Ask your funeral home if rentals are an option.”

• Leah Simmons, Certified Preplanning Consultant at Eternal Light Cremations

Final Words

Overall, retail casket pricing ranges widely from budget-friendly models under $1,000 to lavish solid bronze units over $10,000. With average costs falling between $2,000-$4,000, shopping smart provides respectable savings off high-end funeral home prices.

Understand what construction factors make prices fluctuate. Research funeral providers thoroughly and compare your options – you have the right to purchase caskets from third-parties beyond just funeral homes. And look into pre-planning or financing to eliminate surprise expenses.

While an emotional purchase, taking time to lower casket costs leads to financial savings – now and into the future as you prepare your own arrangements. Know all available choices.

Answers to Common Questions

What is the cheapest type of casket?

Very basic caskets made of inexpensive wood like pine, cardboard, or cloth-covered particle board offer the lowest pricing, typically under $1,000. These provide basic protection and closure.

How many coffins can go in a grave plot?
Most cemeteries allow stacking two caskets in one plot with the approval of the family. Special two-depth grave liners are used. More than two is extremely rare.

How long can you keep a deceased in a casket?
It’s recommended to finalize burial or cremation within approximately 4-7 days of death to avoid extensive embalming or refrigeration. However, bodies can technically be safely kept much longer with proper preservation.