The average cost of a casket, or coffins, in the United States is $1,924. Caskets purchased online typically cost $1,594 (plus shipping), while the price for ones bought directly from a funeral home is around $2,300. While most people still purchase funeral homes on-the-spot, shopping online is becoming more and more common.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires that funeral directors accept caskets from any supplier. If the package they provide you includes a casket, you have the right to remove it, buy one online, and have it shipped directly to the funeral home. This empowers consumers to have more control over what they pay, and avoid monopolistic practices that have been previously common in the funeral industry. While funeral homes are required to accept outside caskets, you should always notify them when you intend to do so.
We put this report together to help you get a better understanding of the typical casket costs in the U.S. Know that the prices here are current as of the date this report is published, and are subject to change at any time. We recommend you always shop around, and look at caskets from at least 3-4 providers, if you’re looking to save money on funeral costs.
How much is a coffin? Prices by store: Walmart, Costco and more
We analyzed over 700 casket prices among popular online sellers. Costco had one of the smallest collections, leading to a low average cost – $1,025. Walmart carries over 50 caskets, with an average price of $1,423. BestPriceCaskets has one of the biggest collections – with over 528 units available through their website, and an average cost of $1,541. Each of these retailers had a wide range of prices, with options below $1k and above $2k.
| Store | Average Casket Price |
| Amazon | $1,267 |
| BestPriceCaskets | $1,541 |
| Costco | $1,025 |
| FastCaskets.com | $2,007 |
| Trusted Caskets | $1,228 |
| Walmart | $1,423 |
Note: Costco currently only sells and ships cassettes to addresses in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Casket prices: online vs buying in a funeral home
The above casket prices, for places like Walmart, may appear low. After all, the average cost of a casket in a funeral home is $2,300 – almost $1,000 more than most of the online options. Keep in mind that shipping is another key factor that needs to be added in when buying a casket online.
The final price will vary greatly, depending on where you need to ship the casket to. Some online stores offer non-expedited ground shipping for free. However, th is takes 6-10 days to deliver. For most, this timeline is unrealistic. Flying the casket to your city will cost between $190 and $390, depending on whether you need a courier to deliver the casket to a funeral home or you are willing to handle the ground transportation yourself.
Walmart offers free pick up and free delivery on select caskets.
Cost of coffins by material: wooden, metal
The material your casket is made out of will greatly impact the final price. Among the 760 caskets we analyzed, wood caskets had an average price of $1,377 while metal ones cost $1,309. Metal caskets are considered more durable, though wooden caskets may come with more ornate designs and make for a more elegant ceremony.
Keep in mind that the type of metal (bronze, copper, stainless steel) and the type of wood (oak, walnut, maple) will also greatly impact the cost.
| Metal | Average Casket Price |
| Copper | $1,604 |
| Bronze | $2,676 |
| Stainless Steel | $1,967 |
| Wood | Average Casket Price |
| Oak | $1,818 |
| Maple | $1,360 |
| Walnut | $2,195 |
For metal caskets, the price is also further influenced by the thickness of the metal used in construction. This is typically expressed as the “gauge” – the two most common being 18 and 20 gaugage steel caskets. The smaller the number the “stronger” the metal, and therefore more durable.
| Metal Gauge | Average Coffin Price |
| 18ga (stronger) | $1,373 |
| 20ga (weaker) | $888 |
Costs for other types of caskets: children’s caskets & cremation caskets
Children’s and infant’s caskets are usually smaller, and don’t require as many materials to construct. As a result, these caskets are typically more affordable. The average cost for a children’s casket is around $830.
Individuals may also sometimes require a casket for burying of cremated remains. The average cost of these is around $895.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to receive a casket purchased online?
3 business days is standard, though times may vary with cost. For example, you may pay extra for expedited deliveries. However, keep in mind that if you want to get a casket delivered the next day, you typically need to make sure you place an order early (ideally before 10am).
What information do I need when purchasing a casket online?
Most online casket sellers will require you to submit the following:
- First and last name of the deceased
- The name of the mortuary where the casket is to be delivered
- The address of the mortuary
- The phone number of mortuary
Can a funeral home charge me a fee if I buy a casket online?
No. They are prohibited by State and Federal laws from doing so.
Can I purchase a casket online when pre-planning?
Many online casket sellers will only ship caskets to a mortuary or a funeral home. Therefore, they require for a death to have already occurred before allowing the purchase.
What is the cheapest casket you can buy?
Maple wood caskets are typically the most affordable – with an average price of just $1,360. Biodegradable caskets are also becoming more common, and typically start at around $900.