Explore Options and Tell Your Family

Consider which options you prefer, and what is not needed or wanted. Put your wishes in writing and share them with your likely survivors.  Clarity helps avoid unnecessary expenses and puzzles. Do you want to be buried or cremated, embalmed, viewed? Where do you want to be buried or scattered? Don’t leave your survivors guessing. Put your important papers in one place and make its location known. Don’t just put your wishes in a will or a safe deposit box because they are unlikely to be opened until long after funeral arrangements have had been made.

Shop around

The Federal Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to give you prices over the phone and hand you an itemized price list when you start talking about arrangements in person. Shopping in advance (when you are not grieving or in a rush) is much better that when you suddenly need funeral arrangements.  Shopping around can save thousands of dollars.

For example, a cost comparison project in western Massachusetts in 2026 collected the General Price Lists (GPLs) from 78 funeral homes revealed a $4,000 spread in prices listed for the two simplest options: Immediate Burial and Direct Cremation. Neither of those involve a viewing or a formal service – just picking up the body, completing required forms, and preparing the body for transit to a cemetery or crematory. (Cost of plot or casket would be extra.)  Why pay over $5,000 when you could find the same service for just over a thousand?  

Buy only what you want

When funeral shopping, take a sensible friend with you — someone who will help you stick to your plans. Some people think that how much they spend is a demonstration of how much they loved the person and may, out of guilt and grief, buy more than intended. While some salespeople may imply that choosing a full or “conventional” package is best, only you can know what you want. A unique and personalized memorial observance will be more meaningful to friends and family than one that looks much like every other funeral they’ve attended.

Skip Embalming

Many people are unaware that embalming — an invasive and often expensive procedure — is not required by law except in very special circumstances. However, the reality is that many funeral homes will not accommodate a viewing unless you agree to embalming. There are exceptions, so it is wise to shop around; simply state your desire and ask if any viable alternatives are available, such as refrigeration or Techni Ice packs.

Consider Direct options

Consider Direct Cremation or Immediate/Direct Burial. Federal law requires that these packages be listed on a funeral home’s price list. For burial, the Immediate Burial option is similar to Jewish, Muslim and Bahá’í tradition in that the body is generally buried shortly after death, without embalming or viewing. You can usually add on a graveside service for a reasonable charge as long as you keep things simple. For cremation, you can use any funeral home, even one far from where you live, which may save you money. They can arrange for the cremation and mail or deliver the ashes to you. An alternative container is included in the package price and there is no need for embalming. Cemetery space for cremated remains is generally less expensive than for a body burial; cremated remains can be kept at home, or buried or scattered elsewhere.

Plan a Memorial service

A memorial service, without the body present, can be scheduled whenever it’s convenient, and without the need for embalming or refrigeration, a fancy casket, or transportation of the body. Private visitation and goodbyes can occur in the home or other place of death, before you even call a funeral director. Have a service at a religious institution, home, park, club, or community center, without the need to hire funeral home staff.

Consider donation of the body

Some medical schools cover all costs. Please note that pre-registration before death is required by some medical schools. Cremated remains are generally returned to the family within two years. For more information see the Body Donation page on this website, or the Anatomical Gift Program webpages at medical schools.

Eliminate the vault

General price lists include the cost of a grave liner or vault, high ticket items required by most conventional cemeteries but not by any state law. In theory, the “outer burial container” keeps the ground flat and intact under the load of commercial mowing equipment. Check with your cemetery to see if they require one, or choose a green cemetery where vaults aren’t permitted. If a burial container is required, buy the least expensive option, usually called a “grave liner.” Be sure to shop around; remember that with prices similar to those for caskets, the vault is still just a box-around-a-box, which quickly gets covered by the cemetery lawn.

Buy online or make your own

You can find caskets and kits online for a fraction of the price charged by some funeral homes. Funeral homes are required by law to accept a casket from an outside vendor and cannot charge you a fee for doing so. There are a variety of less expensive caskets available: wood veneer, cardboard printed with wood grain or other patterns, or cloth-covered. Plain cardboard can be especially meaningful when guests, including children, are invited to paint, draw and write personal goodbye messages on it. You can also choose the “minimum container” and cover it with a quilt, flag, or other meaningful material. Don’t buy a “sealer” casket; it’s ineffective and more expensive.

Consider using a shroud for burial, rather than a casket.  Select a cemetery that encourages or allows a natural (“green”) burial. See GreenBurialMA.org