DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
How much does a casket cost?
The casket is often the largest single line on a funeral bill, and it is also where funeral homes make some of their biggest markup. Prices run from a simple cloth-covered box to solid hardwood or polished metal that costs as much as a car. The important thing to know, especially when you are grieving and being shown the nicest models first, is that you do not have to buy it from the funeral home at all.
The quick version
- Funeral homes mark caskets up heavily, and tend to show the pricier models first.
- The FTC Funeral Rule gives you the right to buy a casket elsewhere and have it delivered.
- Costco, Walmart and online sellers ship caskets, often for a fraction of the funeral home's price.
- The funeral home must accept an outside casket and cannot charge a handling fee for it.
- For a cremation with service you can rent a casket instead of buying one.
What people actually paid
The gap: advertised vs actually paid (medians)
People reported paying 37% less than the advertised list price for casket.
List prices are advertised prices; paid figures are what people reported, often for different cases and from a small sample so far. Treat the gap as a signal, not a quote.
Real prices, in people's own words
- $949“I purchased the coffin directly from Costco for the price of $949.00 [this included the standard shipping].”
Genuine amounts posted publicly. We publish the price and the quote, never the person.
Why the price varies so much
A casket's price depends on the material, the construction and the seller's markup, and all three swing widely. A cloth-covered particleboard casket sits at the bottom, hardwoods and steel in the middle, and polished mahogany or bronze at the very top. The same casket bought from Costco or online often costs far less than the funeral home's version, because the home builds in a large markup and hopes you will not shop around. Sealing gaskets and premium finishes add more, though they change little that families actually value.
How to pay less
- Buy the casket from Costco or a reputable online seller and have it shipped to the funeral home.
- Ask to see the funeral home's least expensive caskets, which the Funeral Rule requires them to show you.
- Rent a casket for a viewing or a cremation with service rather than buying one you use once.
- Skip protective gaskets and sealing features, which add cost without changing what matters.
- Compare the same or similar model across two or three sellers, since identical caskets vary a lot in price.
- Choose a simple cloth-covered or pine casket if it suits the family, as it can cost a small fraction of a hardwood model.
Common questions
Can I really buy a casket from Costco or online?
Yes. The FTC Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to accept a casket you bought elsewhere, and they cannot charge you a fee or refuse to use it. Delivery is usually fast.
Will the funeral home charge extra for an outside casket?
No. Charging a handling fee for a casket you supply is against the Funeral Rule. If a home tries, that tells you something about the home.
Do I need a casket for a cremation?
No. A direct cremation uses a simple container. For a cremation with service you can rent a casket for the viewing, which is far cheaper than buying one.
Are expensive sealed caskets worth it?
For most families, no. Sealing gaskets are marketed heavily but do not preserve a body indefinitely, and they add real cost. A simpler casket is a reasonable choice.