How Much Does a Casket Cost? Casket Prices Explained

A casket typically costs between $2,000 and $5,000 at a funeral home, with the national median around $2,500. Buying direct online, a comparable quality casket starts at $1,199, with premium steel models from $1,399 to $1,999. Caskets are usually the single most expensive item in a funeral, and prices for nearly identical models can differ by thousands of dollars depending on where you buy. This guide breaks down current casket prices by type, what drives the cost, and how to avoid paying the markup.

Average Casket Prices by Type

Here is what caskets cost when you buy direct from Titan, compared with the typical price for a comparable model at a funeral home. Funeral home figures are estimates based on typical industry markups; always request the funeral home’s General Price List for exact numbers.

Hardwood caskets (mahogany, cherry, oak) and high-end metals like copper or bronze sit above these ranges, reaching $5,000 to $10,000+ at funeral homes.

What Affects the Cost of a Casket?

Material. Cloth-covered and softwood caskets cost the least; steel is the volume standard; hardwoods and semi-precious metals cost the most.

Steel gauge. Thicker 18-gauge steel costs more than 20-gauge. The difference is mostly feel and perception rather than function; see our guide to 18-gauge vs 20-gauge caskets.

Gasket and sealing. A rubber gasket adds to the price. Note that no casket preserves remains indefinitely, and the FTC prohibits sellers from claiming otherwise.

Interior and hardware. Velvet interiors, embroidered head panels, and swing-bar handles all add cost.

Size. Oversize caskets (28 inches and up) cost more; see the Atlas XL range above. Check our guide on what size casket you need.

Customization. Custom colors, imagery, and personalization add modest amounts when buying direct, and considerably more through a funeral home.

Casket Prices: Online vs the Funeral Home

Funeral homes typically mark caskets up 2x to 4x over the direct price for a comparable model. That is how the same entry-level steel casket that costs $1,399 online appears on a funeral bill at $2,400 to $3,000. Before meeting with a funeral home, look at caskets online to understand your options, preferred style, and price anchor — even if you ultimately buy locally.

“Ask the funeral home for its General Price List before you discuss anything else. It’s your legal right under the FTC Funeral Rule, and it changes the conversation: once the casket line-item is in writing next to a direct-to-consumer price, the markup has to justify itself.”
— Titan Expert Team

Know Your Rights

Funeral homes are required to supply you with a catalog of their goods and services upon request. This document is called the General Price List, or “GPL,” and is mandated by the Funeral Rule set forth by the Federal Trade Commission.

If you purchase a casket from Titan Casket or any other retailer, the funeral home must accept it without charging you a handling fee or making the process burdensome. That is federal law.

For help understanding and exercising these rights, see the Titan Casket Consumer Advocacy section and our State-by-State Guide to local laws and resources.

How to Save on a Casket

Three moves save families the most: compare the funeral home’s GPL against direct prices before any meeting; buy the casket direct and have it shipped to the funeral home (shipping is free at Titan, and overnight options exist); and don’t pay for sealing features or upgrades that serve perception rather than function. For the full picture of funeral expenses beyond the casket, read our guide to funeral costs and how to save.

Casket Price FAQs

What is the cheapest casket you can buy?

Cloth-covered and simple pine caskets are the least expensive category. Direct-to-consumer, dignified entry-level options start around $1,199, roughly half the funeral home price for the same construction.

Why are caskets so expensive at funeral homes?

Markup. Funeral homes typically resell caskets at 2x to 4x wholesale. We break down the economics in why funeral homes charge so much for a casket.

How much does a casket cost at Costco?

Costco sells caskets online in a limited range of styles. See our comparison in buying a casket from Costco.

Can a funeral home charge me a fee for buying my casket somewhere else?

No. Under the FTC Funeral Rule, funeral homes must accept a casket you purchased elsewhere without any handling fee.

Do coffins cost less than caskets?

Often, yes. Coffins (six-sided, tapered) use less material than rectangular caskets, though prices overlap heavily. See the difference between caskets and coffins.

How much should I budget for a casket in total?

If buying direct, $1,199 to $2,000 covers a quality steel or pine casket delivered free. Through a funeral home, budget $2,400 to $4,000 for the equivalent model.

At Titan Casket, we are focused on preventing an emotional loss from turning into a financial loss. We build every casket to funeral-home quality or better, deliver free to the destination of your choice, and our customer service team is available 24/7 before, during, and after your purchase.