Cheapest Caskets - National Price Guide 2026
Funeral homes mark up caskets by 300-500%. By law (the FTC Funeral Rule), you can buy a casket from ANY source and the funeral home MUST accept it with no extra fees. Buying online or from a third-party retailer can save $2,000-$5,000.
Funeral homes in your area typically mark up caskets by 300-500%. A casket they sell for $3,500 often costs $800-$1,200 wholesale. Federal law (the FTC Funeral Rule) says you can bring your own casket and they CANNOT charge a handling fee.
Cheapest Caskets Costs by City
Click any city to see detailed pricing, provider info, and your consumer rights.
| City | State | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | NY | $936 | $1,560 | $2,340 |
| Los Angeles | CA | $972 | $1,620 | $2,430 |
| Chicago | IL | $684 | $1,140 | $1,710 |
| Houston | TX | $720 | $1,200 | $1,800 |
| Phoenix | AZ | $720 | $1,200 | $1,800 |
| Philadelphia | PA | $936 | $1,560 | $2,340 |
| San Antonio | TX | $720 | $1,200 | $1,800 |
| San Diego | CA | $972 | $1,620 | $2,430 |
| Dallas | TX | $720 | $1,200 | $1,800 |
| San Jose | CA | $972 | $1,620 | $2,430 |
| Austin | TX | $720 | $1,200 | $1,800 |
| Jacksonville | FL | $648 | $1,080 | $1,620 |
| Fort Worth | TX | $720 | $1,200 | $1,800 |
| Columbus | OH | $684 | $1,140 | $1,710 |
| Indianapolis | IN | $684 | $1,140 | $1,710 |
| Indianapolis | IN | $684 | $1,140 | $1,710 |
| Charlotte | NC | $648 | $1,080 | $1,620 |
| San Francisco | CA | $972 | $1,620 | $2,430 |
| Seattle | WA | $972 | $1,620 | $2,430 |
| Denver | CO | $864 | $1,440 | $2,160 |
| Washington | DC | $936 | $1,560 | $2,340 |
| Nashville | TN | $648 | $1,080 | $1,620 |
| Oklahoma City | OK | $720 | $1,200 | $1,800 |
| El Paso | TX | $720 | $1,200 | $1,800 |
| Boston | MA | $936 | $1,560 | $2,340 |
What's Typically Included
- Casket or alternative container
- Delivery to funeral home (if purchased online)
- Interior lining and pillow
What's Usually NOT Included
- Funeral home services
- Burial vault or liner (often required by cemetery)
- Engraving or personalization
- Viewing/visitation setup
Frequently Asked Questions: Cheapest Caskets
The most affordable caskets in your city start around $$795 for a basic 20-gauge steel model. Online retailers like Titan Caskets and Costco offer caskets for $900-$1,500, compared to $2,500-$5,000+ at local funeral homes.
Yes. The FTC Funeral Rule requires every funeral home in your city (and all of your state) to accept caskets purchased from third parties. They cannot charge extra handling fees for this.
Most cemeteries in your state require a casket or alternative container for burial. However, some green cemeteries allow shroud-only burial. Check with your specific cemetery for their requirements.
18-gauge steel is thicker and more durable (and more expensive). 20-gauge is thinner but perfectly adequate. The gauge difference has no practical impact on the burial - it's primarily a cost factor.
Yes. Costco caskets are the same quality as funeral home caskets at 50-70% less cost. They're made by the same manufacturers. The only difference is the markup.
Cheapest Caskets by State
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