Understanding Cremation: Options, Myths, and Memorials

Cremation is now the most common choice in the United States: the National Funeral Directors Association projects a 2025 cremation rate of 63.4%, about twice the burial rate. You can have a viewing and full service before cremation, a memorial service afterwards, or direct cremation with no service at all. Afterwards the ashes can be kept, buried, placed in a columbarium, divided among family or scattered — on private land with permission, in many national parks with authorization, or at sea at least three nautical miles from shore.

What are the types of cremation?

How much does cremation cost?

In the NFDA's 2023 General Price List Study, the national median for a funeral with viewing and cremation was $6,280. Individual median prices included a cremation fee of $400, an alternative cremation container of $160 and an urn of $295. Direct cremation costs much less because it leaves out embalming (median $845), viewing (median $475) and the ceremony (median $550). If a funeral home offers direct cremation, the FTC requires the price to be on its General Price List, so you can compare it easily.

Your rights when choosing cremation

Under the FTC Funeral Rule:

• You do not need a casket. A funeral home that offers cremation must tell you about alternative containers (such as heavy cardboard) and make them available.
• You can buy the urn anywhere. The funeral home must accept an urn you bought elsewhere, without a fee.
• Embalming is not required for direct cremation.
• You get prices up front: by phone if you ask, and an itemized price list in person.

What can you do with the ashes?

• Keep them at home in an urn.
• Place them in a columbarium niche or bury them in a cemetery urn garden — ask the cemetery for its price list and rules.
• Divide them among family members in keepsake urns or cremation jewelry (see memorial keepsakes). Agree on this as a family before ordering anything.
• Scatter them on private land with the owner's permission. Rules for other public land vary by state and locality.
• Scatter them in a national park — most parks require a permit or written authorization and set conditions, such as staying well away from trails, roads and water. Check the specific park's website.
• Scatter or bury them at sea. Under the EPA's general permit, cremated remains must be placed at least three nautical miles from land, and the EPA must be notified within 30 days. Lakes and rivers fall under state rules instead.

Can I fly with ashes?

Yes. The TSA allows cremated remains in carry-on and checked bags, but airlines may restrict checked remains, so ask your airline. For carry-on, use a container that can be X-rayed, such as wood or plastic: if officers cannot see inside the container on the X-ray, it will not be allowed through, and TSA officers will not open it even if you ask.

Common myths about cremation

• "You can't have a viewing with cremation." You can — the viewing and service happen before the cremation.
• "You have to buy a casket." No. An alternative container is enough, and the funeral home must offer one.
• "The urn must come from the funeral home." No. Any urn — or another container — can be used.
• "Religions forbid cremation." Practices differ. Some traditions prefer burial, others prefer cremation, and many accept both. See our guide to funeral traditions and ask your faith leader.

To compare cremation prices near you, use the free AI Planning Assistant, which lists nearby funeral homes and tells you what to ask each one. Our funeral cost breakdown explains every line of a price list.

Sources

• NFDA 2025 Cremation & Burial Report
• NFDA 2023 General Price List Study (as published by Connecting Directors)
• FTC: The FTC Funeral Rule
• FTC: Complying with the Funeral Rule
• U.S. EPA: Burial at Sea
• National Park Service: Scattering Ashes (Joshua Tree National Park, example of park rules)
• TSA: Cremated Remains