Cheapest Burial Options: What to Do When You Can't Afford a Funeral

If someone you love just died and you don't have the money to pay for a funeral, take a breath. You have options. Nobody is going to be left unburied because of money. This page lists every affordable option from $0 to $2,300 — plus financial assistance programs most people don't know about.

Option 1 — Body Donation ($0)

If the deceased expressed interest in donating their body to science, this is the most affordable option — it costs the family nothing.

How it works. A medical school or research institution accepts the body, uses it for medical education or research (typically 1-3 years), and then cremates the remains and returns them to the family — all at no cost.

Who qualifies. Most programs accept donations regardless of age, though some have restrictions (active infectious disease, severe obesity, autopsy already performed, or extensive organ donation may disqualify).

You don't need to have registered in advance. While pre-registration is preferred, many programs accept at-need donations. Call immediately after death — time matters.

Programs near West Virginia:

• West Virginia University Human Gift Registry — (304) 293-6322
• Virginia State Anatomical Program — (804) 786-2174
• Other regional medical schools accept donations — call the nearest medical school

The family can still hold a memorial. Body donation doesn't prevent a gathering, a celebration of life, or any form of remembrance. The memorial just happens without the body present.

Remains are returned. Typically within 1-3 years. The institution cremates the remains and returns them to the family at no charge.

Body donation is a profoundly generous act — and for families with no financial resources, it's a dignified option that costs nothing and contributes to medical advancement.

Option 2 — County or State Burial Assistance ($0 or Low Cost)

If the deceased has no family, no money, and no insurance, the county or state is legally required to handle the burial.

Indigent burial / pauper's burial. Every state has a process for handling deaths when no one can pay. The county arranges a simple burial or cremation — typically direct cremation or burial in a county cemetery without a service.

How to access it. Contact the county coroner's office or the local Department of Health and Human Resources. They'll guide you through the process.

In West Virginia: Contact the WV DHHR (Department of Health and Human Resources). Eligible families can receive up to $1,000 in burial assistance. Contact your county DHHR office to apply — eligibility is income-based.

What to expect. County burials are basic — no viewing, no service, no personalization. But the person is treated with dignity and given a legal burial or cremation.

No shame in this. This is a public service that exists for exactly this situation. It doesn't reflect on you, your family, or the person who died. It reflects on a society that takes care of its dead.

Option 3 — Direct Cremation ($1,000-$2,300)

The most affordable option that gives the family control over what happens next.

What you get. The body is transported from the place of death to the crematory, cremated in a simple container, and the remains are returned to you. No service, no viewing, no embalming.

Cost by location:

• National average: $1,600-$2,300
• West Virginia average: $1,100-$1,400
• Lowest in WV: ~$1,050 (Logan area)

After cremation, you decide. Hold a memorial whenever you're ready — at home, at church, at a park. Scatter the ashes at a meaningful place. Keep them in an urn. There's no deadline and no additional cost required.

How to reduce it further:

• Call 3+ providers and compare prices — the range is wide
• Ask if there's a discount for payment at time of arrangement
• Check if any local funeral homes offer hardship pricing

Full direct cremation guide →

Option 4 — Direct Burial ($2,000-$4,000)

Burial without a funeral service — the body goes directly from the place of death to the cemetery.

What's included. Transportation, a basic casket or alternative container, the burial itself. No viewing, no embalming, no ceremony at the funeral home.

Where the savings come from. No embalming ($700-$800 saved), no expensive casket (use a basic container for $200-$500), no service fees ($500-$1,000 saved).

Cemetery costs still apply. You'll need a plot ($500-$1,500) and possibly a vault (some cemeteries require it, $1,000-$1,500). Ask if vault-free burial is available.

Church and family cemeteries. In rural WV and across Appalachia, many families have been buried in church or hollow cemeteries for generations. Plot costs at these locations are often minimal or free for church members and descendants.

Option 5 — Low-Cost Traditional Funeral ($5,000-$8,000)

If a traditional funeral with a viewing is important to your family, here's how to keep costs under control.

1. Get the General Price List from 3 funeral homes. Required by law — they must give it to you. Compare line by line.
2. Choose the cheapest casket or bring your own. Funeral homes must show you their least expensive options and must accept caskets purchased elsewhere (Costco, Walmart, Titan Casket: $500-$1,500). This alone saves $1,000-$4,000.
3. Skip embalming if possible. If the funeral happens within 24-48 hours or the casket stays closed, embalming may not be necessary. Ask.
4. Use the funeral home's smallest chapel. Larger rooms cost more. A smaller, intimate gathering can be just as meaningful.
5. Limit the visitation to one day/evening. Two-day viewings double the facility costs.
6. Do your own flowers. Grocery store arrangements ($20-$50) are just as beautiful as funeral-specific arrangements ($100-$300).
7. Write the obituary yourself. Funeral homes charge $150-$500 for obituary preparation. Write it yourself using our guide.

How to write an obituary →

Financial Assistance You Might Not Know About

There's money available for funeral costs that many families never claim.

Veteran funeral benefits →

What to Do Right Now If You Have No Money

If someone just died and you have zero dollars for a funeral, do these things in this order:

You are not a bad person because you can't afford a funeral. Funerals are expensive, wages are low, and life insurance is something millions of Americans don't have. Focus on the options above and take it one step at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions