Caskets range from $75 (cardboard cremation containers) to $15,000+ (mahogany or bronze luxury models).
The average casket cost in the United States is around $2,500 when purchased through a funeral home, and roughly $1,200 when purchased online from a specialty retailer.
The same casket costs 2–4x more at a funeral home than online. Most American families overpay by $2,000–$5,000 on caskets because they don't realize buying online is legal — and that the funeral home is required by federal law to accept what you bought.
Casket Prices by Material
Funeral home markup: the same casket typically costs 200–400% more at a funeral home than online.
Federal law: the FTC Funeral Rule requires every US funeral home to accept a casket you bought elsewhere — with no handling fee.
The single biggest factor in casket cost is what it's made of. Eight material categories cover roughly 95% of the market:
Cardboard / Cremation Container — $75 to $300
The cheapest legal option. Plain corrugated cardboard, sometimes covered in a fabric or wood-grain laminate to look more dignified during a viewing. Suitable ONLY for direct cremation — not for burial, not for an open-casket service.
When to choose: Direct cremation, no viewing, lowest possible cost. Many crematories provide a basic cardboard container at no extra charge.
Cloth-Covered Particleboard — $400 to $800
A particleboard or fiberboard core covered in fabric (typically a heavy crepe or felt). The lightest of the "real" caskets — usable for short viewings and burial. Doesn't look as polished as solid wood up close, but acceptable for most situations.
When to choose: Budget burial, brief or closed-casket viewing, modest service.
Pine and Soft Wood — $800 to $1,800
Solid pine, poplar, or willow. Often unstained or simply finished. The "kosher" or traditional Jewish casket (the aron) is typically pine — simple wood, no metal hardware, fully biodegradable.
When to choose: Traditional simplicity, religious requirements (Jewish, Muslim, some Christian traditions), green burial.
Hardwood (Oak, Cherry, Maple) — $1,500 to $4,500
The most popular American funeral casket category. Solid hardwood with a stained finish, padded interior, and full hardware (handles, hinges, decorative corners). Oak is most common; cherry and maple sit at the higher end of the range.
When to choose: Traditional American funeral, open-casket viewing, mid-range budget.
20-Gauge Steel — $1,200 to $3,500
The most common metal casket. "Gauge" refers to wire thickness — counterintuitively, a lower number means thicker steel. 20-gauge is mid-grade and represents the bulk of metal casket sales.
When to choose: Family wants a metal casket. Traditional, durable, available in many colors and finishes.
18-Gauge Steel and Stainless Steel — $2,500 to $6,000
Thicker, heavier metal. Often advertised as "protective" with a rubber gasket seal that the manufacturer claims protects the body inside. The FTC has specifically warned that no casket actually preserves the body indefinitely — these "protective" claims are largely marketing.
When to choose: Family wants premium feel and durability. Be aware that the "protective" gasket claim isn't supported by science.
Bronze and Copper — $4,000 to $12,000
The top of the metal line. Bronze is the most premium standard option in American funerals. Copper falls slightly below bronze and weathers to a distinctive patina over time.
When to choose: Luxury funerals, multi-generational family burial sites, high-budget services.
Mahogany and Exotic Hardwoods — $5,000 to $15,000+
Solid mahogany, walnut, or exotic stained options at the high end. Often hand-carved details, luxury silk or velvet linings, and premium hardware. Some go above $20,000 for custom or designer models.
When to choose: When budget is genuinely not the primary concern.
Average Casket Cost in the United States
The most commonly searched figure is the average casket cost — and the answer depends heavily on where you buy.
Average casket cost at a funeral home: $2,300–$2,800
This is the figure the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) reports for the typical American funeral. Most Americans buying through a funeral home land in this range.
Average casket cost online: $1,000–$1,500
The same caskets sold by funeral homes are also sold online by specialty retailers — often at less than half the price. Online retailers including Titan Casket, Walmart, Costco, Best Price Caskets, and Trusted Caskets compete on price because they don't carry funeral home overhead.
The average price difference: $1,200–$1,800 in the family's favor — every time.
Buying online doesn't mean lower quality. The largest casket manufacturers (Aurora Casket, Northern Casket, Batesville for some models) supply both funeral homes and online retailers. The product is identical. Only the price changes.
Why Funeral Homes Charge 2–4x More
A real example using a common model:
A 20-gauge steel casket that retails for $1,200 online sells for $3,400 at a typical funeral home. The same product, made by the same manufacturer, in the same color and finish.
The markup pays for legitimate costs:
- The funeral home's casket inventory (they have to stock and store dozens of models)
- The showroom space and salesperson commissions
- The "package deal" model (caskets are often the most profitable single line item, subsidizing other services)
- Industry-standard markup norms that have existed for decades
None of this is illegal — it's how the funeral business works. But here's what most families don't know: you do not have to buy your casket from the funeral home.
The FTC Funeral Rule — Your Right to Save Thousands
Federal law (16 CFR Part 453, the FTC "Funeral Rule") requires every funeral home in the United States to:
- Accept a casket you purchased elsewhere — from any retailer, in any condition the manufacturer shipped it
- Charge no handling, storage, or "casket inspection" fee for using your casket
- Provide an itemized General Price List (GPL) on request — by phone or in person, before any commitment
- Not require you to buy any other service to use your own casket
This is non-negotiable. Funeral homes that violate the Funeral Rule can be fined by the FTC. The FTC has actually enforced this rule — multiple funeral homes have been fined six figures for violations.
What this means in practice: you can buy a casket online for $1,500, have it shipped to the funeral home, and they MUST use it for the service without adding any fee. The typical net savings: $2,000 to $4,000 per funeral.
Most families don't know this. The funeral home isn't going to tell you. But it's the law.
Casket Prices by Retailer — Where to Actually Buy
Here's how the major casket retailers compare on price, selection, and shipping:
| Retailer | Price Range | Delivery Time | Selection | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funeral Home (in-person) | $2,000–$10,000+ | Same day | Limited (what they stock) | Highest markup |
| Costco | $999–$3,599 | 7–10 days | ~10 models | Members only ($65/yr); no affiliate program |
| Walmart | $999–$2,499 | 5–7 days | ~30 models | No membership; ships free |
| Titan Casket | $899–$3,999 | Overnight available | ~50 models | Direct-to-consumer, manufacturer-direct |
| Best Price Caskets | $599–$2,999 | 3–5 days | ~80 models | Specialty retailer, lowest entry price |
| Trusted Caskets | $599–$3,499 | 3–5 days | ~70 models | Family-run, wide selection |
| Amazon | $300–$3,000 | 1–7 days | Wide but mixed | Quality varies by seller — read reviews carefully |
Titan Casket
Manufacturer-direct, overnight shipping available, 30-day return policy.
Price range: $899–$3,999
See Titan Casket Prices →Walmart Caskets
Familiar retailer, free shipping, ~30 models from $999.
Price range: $999–$2,499
See Walmart Caskets →Best Price Caskets
80+ models, lowest entry prices, 3–5 day shipping.
Price range: $599–$2,999
See Best Price Caskets →wvfuneralboard.com may earn a referral fee from these retailers at no cost to you. We only list retailers we'd use ourselves.
How to Save Money on a Casket — 7 Concrete Steps
1. Get the funeral home's General Price List FIRST
By federal law, every funeral home must give you their itemized General Price List (GPL) on request. Get it in writing before you commit to anything. Compare their casket prices to the online retailers above. The GPL also lists the price of every other service so you can spot bundling tricks.
2. Buy online from a specialty retailer
Save 50–70% off funeral home pricing for the same quality. The casket manufacturers that supply funeral homes (Aurora Casket, Northern Casket, others) also supply Costco, Walmart, Titan, and the specialty retailers. The product is identical.
3. Have the casket shipped directly to the funeral home
Most online retailers will coordinate delivery to arrive 24–48 hours before the service. Call the funeral home, give them the tracking number, and confirm someone will be there to receive it. The funeral home cannot refuse the delivery — federal law requires acceptance.
4. For cremation, use a cardboard container ($75–$200)
If the body will be cremated, you don't need a wood or metal casket at all. A simple cardboard cremation container is legal and standard. Many families rent a "show casket" from the funeral home for the viewing service ($300–$800 rental) and then transfer the body to the cardboard container before the actual cremation.
5. Skip the "protective" features
Sealed gaskets, "protective" rubber seals, and similar marketed features do NOT preserve the body. The FTC has specifically warned consumers that no casket actually prevents decomposition. These features typically add $500–$1,500 to the price for benefits that don't deliver.
6. Choose 20-gauge over 18-gauge steel
The visible difference is minimal. You won't see it in photos. You won't see it during the viewing. The price difference is often $1,000+ for the heavier-gauge steel. Unless someone has a specific reason to want the heavier metal, 20-gauge is the better value.
7. Consider hardwood over metal
A $1,800 oak casket often looks more dignified at a viewing than a $3,500 steel casket — and it's biodegradable, which is required for green burial cemeteries. Wood is often the better value at any price point.
Cheap Caskets Under $500 — How to Find One
Some families need the absolute lowest cost. Caskets under $500 do exist, but you need to know where to look:
Cardboard cremation containers ($75–$300): Available from any cremation provider. These are the cheapest legal option but only work for direct cremation — not burial, not viewing.
Particleboard caskets covered in cloth ($300–$500): Available online from specialty retailers. Suitable for burial. Don't look as nice as solid wood but acceptable for closed-casket services.
Plain pine boxes ($350–$600): Available from Jewish funeral suppliers (the kosher aron) and some specialty retailers. Simple, biodegradable, often unstained. Beautiful in their simplicity.
For caskets under $500, your best bets are:
- Best Price Caskets
- Trusted Caskets
- Direct from the cremation provider (for cardboard)
Walmart and Costco generally start at $999 and don't have anything under $500.
Casket Cost vs. Total Funeral Cost
A casket is one of the largest single line items in a funeral, but it's not the only cost. Here's how the typical traditional burial breaks down:
| Line Item | Amount | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Funeral home services fee | $2,300 | 28% |
| Embalming + body preparation | $1,200 | 14% |
| Casket | $2,500 | 30% ← The lever you can pull |
| Burial vault | $1,500 | 18% |
| Transportation, hearse | $700 | 8% |
| Other (urn, flowers, register) | $200 | 2% |
| Total typical funeral | $8,400 | 100% |
Reducing the casket cost from $2,500 to $1,200 (by buying online) drops the total by $1,300 — which is 15% off the entire funeral cost from a single decision.
For cremation funerals (no burial vault, simpler casket), the total is closer to $5,000–$6,500, and the casket savings still drop the total by 10–15%.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bottom Line
The casket market has a $2,000–$4,000 markup baked into traditional funeral pricing. Most American families pay it because nobody told them they have a choice.
Federal law gives you that choice. You can buy online, save thousands, and the funeral home is required to accept what you bought. The product is identical. Only the price changes.
For most families, a $1,200–$1,800 online casket is functionally equivalent to a $3,000–$5,000 funeral home casket. The difference is roughly the cost of the headstone — or a meaningful chunk of the burial vault.
The biggest casket markup happens at the funeral home. Buying online and shipping to the funeral home (which they're required to accept) typically saves $1,500–$4,000 per funeral.
See Top-Rated Online Casket Retailers →You May Also Find Helpful:
Casket vs. Coffin: What's the Difference?
Shape, history, cost — and which one is right for your funeral.
Read →Cremation vs. Burial Costs
Side-by-side cost comparison and what each option includes.
Read →How to Plan a Funeral Step by Step
A practical checklist for planning a funeral from start to finish.
Read →Sources: Federal Trade Commission Funeral Rule (16 CFR Part 453), National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) 2024 General Price List Survey, Titan Casket pricing, Costco funeral products, Walmart funeral products, Best Price Caskets, Trusted Caskets retailer data. This guide is for general information only. Specific pricing varies by funeral home, region, and individual model. Always request a written General Price List (which the FTC requires every funeral home to provide) and compare to online retailers before committing.