The casket is often the single most expensive item in a funeral, and the one with the largest markup. It’s also where informed families save the most, thanks to a federal rule most people have never heard of.
Your key right: Under the FTC Funeral Rule, a funeral home must accept a casket you bought elsewhere and cannot charge a handling fee or require you to be present for delivery.
Where to buy a casket for less
- Warehouse clubs, Costco and similar retailers sell caskets online.
- Online casket retailers, many ship overnight directly to the funeral home.
- Independent casket stores, storefront sellers near many cities.
Because the Funeral Rule protects your right to buy a casket from any retailer, comparison shopping is where families save the most. One example families can use to compare prices is BestPriceCaskets.com, an online retailer that often lists caskets at substantially lower prices than a funeral home. It is one option among many, not an exclusive endorsement. The important point is that you are legally free to shop, and doing so can save thousands.
Typical price comparison
| Mid-range casket at a funeral home | $3,000-$4,500 |
| Same casket from a third-party seller | $1,000-$1,800 |
| Cremation alternative container | $100-$300 |
| Typical savings | $1,500+ |
Caskets don’t preserve remains regardless of price, the FTC prohibits claims that any casket preserves a body indefinitely. Skip “protective” or “sealer” upgrades that don’t do what the name implies.
