Burying your loved one is expensive, but there are ways to cut costs without sacrificing your peace of mind. Many families feel guilty when they have less money to spend on a funeral. But I hope to ease your mind by showing you lower-cost alternatives that still honor your beloved’s life.
One main way to save money after a loved one’s death is by purchasing a cheap casket for burial. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to get a nice-looking casket. Instead, plan to spend around $1,000 and still feel good about a quality metal or wooden choice.
Casket or Coffin: What Is The Difference?
Before we get too far into the discussion of cost, first let me clear up the difference between a casket and a coffin. To the general public, these terms are interchangeable. Using either word conveys your meaning, so don’t worry about using the correct terminology.
However, the two are different and it is difficult to find coffin manufacturers in the US. You will likely only find caskets. Here are the differences:
- Casket: 4-sided rectangular shape container made primarily from wood or metal. Side rails make it easy for pallbearers to lift and carry the casket. The primary choice for burial containers today. Constructed mainly from wood or metal.
- Coffin: 6-sided container with narrow head and foot compartments (body conforming). Used historically, but not in practice much today. Often seen in Old Western or Dracula movies. No side rails for carrying, generally lifted and carried on pallbearers’ shoulders.
How Do You Know What Caskets Cost?
Keep in mind that funeral homes are required to provide an itemized price list, upon asking. Generally, funeral directors show families the options for packages since this is the easiest way to put a funeral together.
The package option usually provides a small price break for grouping items, compared to pricing each item individually. Within package levels, a range of similarly-priced caskets is offered.
However, each funeral home maintains a separate casket price list, so feel free to ask to see it if you have any questions.
Why Are Coffins So Expensive?
You may wonder why coffins or caskets are so expensive. Quite a lot of labor goes into making them, even though much of it is now automated.
Costs spring from the quality of the materials in each casket. For instance, metal caskets come in different thickness grades; choosing bronze adds expense over selecting stainless steel. Similarly, wood caskets range from simple pine boxes to elaborately carved mahogany containers.
Another factor in casket costs is your location. If you live near a manufacturer, then fewer freight and shipping fees make for a lower overall cost.
There is also some markup by the funeral home to the consumer. It has always surprised me that people get offended because funeral homes have markups. Of course, they do! How else does their business survive? There is markup when you shop at Costco, Walmart, or Amazon, so naturally, funeral homes also buy at wholesale prices to sell at retail prices.
What Is The Cheapest Casket You Can Get?
The cheapest, basic casket you can get is a cloth-covered one. It is made with a corrugated cardboard shell and comes with a flat or rounded lid. This casket looks very nice covered in a subtle blue-gray patterned cloth,
The cloth-covered casket is a good choice when money is tight because it meets cemetery standards and still looks classic. I have used this simple casket with many families to bury their loved ones and find it to be a good value for the money.
A cloth-covered casket costs about $800, depending on your location. This affordability makes it a great option for a low-cost basic casket.
Wooden Casket Prices
You may be drawn to the natural warmth that wood exudes. Wooden caskets have a certain natural beauty that metal ones simply can not compare to.
You can find wooden caskets at very reasonable prices. It all comes down to the wood and accessories you select. A cheap pine box casket is a completely acceptable choice for burying your loved one. They are functional, they look nice, and their costs start at around $900.
Are you wondering how much does a simple wood casket cost? Then know that prices range from the simple pine box, above $900, into the $10,000 range.
However, for just a bit more money than the pine box, there is a good selection of caskets to choose from. Poplar wood caskets range from $1,200 to $1,400 and look beautiful. And oak containers cost just over $2,000 for their harder wood construction.
You may even be a woodworker who wants to make a casket for a loved one. That is perfectly acceptable and is a beautiful tribute. Check with your funeral director to be certain of the dimensions so that your handmade casket will fit into the burial vault.
Cheap Caskets Under $500
In searching for cheap caskets under $500, I only found two online retailers with a casket price that low.
- A simple wooden box by DQE EveryBody Coffin does cost less than $500, however, shipping is not included. Over-sized freight charges apply, which would likely raise the price above the $500 mark. This casket description designates it for a “dignified disaster response”.
- Titan Caskets offers a cardboard container made from recycled wood for $499, with free shipping. Its white color makes a great background for your family to paint or personalized this container. You definitely want to check with your funeral director to ensure that this simple casket meets cemetery requirements.
Cheap Caskets Under $1000
Ask your funeral director for casket options under $1,000. The funeral home may have options in this price range. However, it is more likely that most choice comes in the $1,000 to $1,500 range. You will have great selections under $1,500 for metal and wooden caskets.
High-quality steel caskets start at $1,100 and come in a variety of high-gloss paint colors. They are crepe-lined for a luxurious appearance. When making pre-death funeral arrangements with my mother- and father-in-law, they selected navy and light pink steel caskets for themselves.
Even for lesser-expensive steel caskets, customization choices abound. Add a military emblem or an embroidered head panel for a personalized look.
Buying Your Casket From A Retailer
You may have heard that you can save a lot of money by purchasing a casket from a retailer rather than a funeral home. Let me speak as a past funeral director with no current affiliation with a funeral home or casket manufacturer. I think you are best served by making a casket purchase through the funeral home.
Let me explain my reasoning. If you know death is imminent and you have time to shop around, then by all means: shop around. Talk to your funeral director to best understand their receiving policies around external purchases. But then shop until you find the casket that works best for you.
However, so many details vie for your attention once death happens. When time is of the essence and you are devastated by the death (yes, even expected ones prove devastating), then simplify your life.
Trust the funeral director and home that you’ve chosen. You chose them for a reason. They will offer you a wide range of caskets in differing price ranges. Yes, you may save $100 or maybe even a couple of hundred dollars by purchasing a casket from a retailer. But it will cost you time and stress. Buying the casket from the funeral home is simple and much less stressful.
Retailers That Sell Caskets
When you have time to shop, then take a moment to look at online retailers.
Titan Caskets is an online provider. Their website makes it easy to select caskets by price, color, material, and “best selling.” Customers pay no shipping fees. And the caskets are guaranteed to be delivered on time for your loved one’s service. If I were choosing an online retailer, it would be a casket-only service rather than a big box-type retailer.
However, Costco, Amazon, and Walmart do all sell caskets online. Their customer reviews provide insight into particular designs and offer comfort that your selection is good.
Costco caskets cost $1,149 to $1,499, at the time of this writing. Walmart and Amazon have similar pricing.
Conclusion
Cheap caskets for burial are readily available and they look good! Families can rest easy knowing that affordable funerals don’t mean inferior products. So you can save a little money without feeling guilty for spending less.
Contact your funeral director for the best prices and the easiest selection process. You can also shop at an online retailer:
And finally, you can also make your own casket to personalize it specifically to your loved one. Any of these are great options!
