No religious tradition
No tradition is dictating the choice — it's about what the family wants and can afford. Direct cremation is the lowest-cost path; a memorial service can happen weeks later wherever you want.
Direct cremation (no service)
Fair total range nationally: $1,000–$2,500
This is the service type most families in this tradition choose. You can refine with the four-question decision guide if you want to weigh budget or other preferences.
Cheat sheet for the arrangement meeting
Print this. Bring it. The questions and decline scripts at the top are tailored to no religious tradition practice; the rest is the standard FTC-rights guidance every family should know.
Arrangement meeting cheat sheet — No religious tradition
honestfuneral.coBring this. Refer to it openly. The funeral director will see you brought it — that alone changes the meeting.
- Embalming (in most US states)
- Buying their casket — bring your own from any vendor
- Buying a vault more expensive than the cemetery requires
- Paying a “handling fee” on a third-party casket
- Casket (300–500% markup)
- Embalming (often unnecessary)
- Burial vault / grave liner
| Basic services fee | $1,500–$2,500 |
| Embalming | $700–$900 |
| Transfer of remains | $200–$350 |
| Death certificates (each) | $10–$25 |
| Casket — 18-gauge metal | $900–$1,400 |
| Casket — wood | $1,200–$2,500 |
| Grave liner / burial vault | $700–$1,200 |
| Headstone / marker | $800–$2,000 |
| Flowers (through funeral home) | $300–$600 |
- Can I see your itemized General Price List before we begin?
- What is your basic services fee, and what exactly does it cover?
- Will you accept a casket I purchase from another vendor at no extra fee?
- Is embalming required for the type of service I want?
- What is the total all-in cost in writing, with every fee included?
- Premium / 'protective' caskets: “We've decided on a simpler casket. We're not interested in the protective seal — we know it doesn't extend preservation in any meaningful way.”
- Embalming: “We're not having embalming. We understand it isn't legally required for the service we're planning.”
- Memorial package upgrades: “We're going to handle the programs, flowers, and obituary ourselves. Please leave those off the bill.”
- Concrete burial vaults / 'extra protection' grave liners: “We'd like the most basic grave liner that meets the cemetery's requirement. Please show us that option.”
- Family limousine: “We'll be driving ourselves to the cemetery. Please remove the limo.”
These ranges are US national averages adjusted for your region. Your local funeral director may quote different numbers — push back politely and ask why. Faith-specific guidance comes from common American practice; consult your clergy for community-specific customs.