This page explains where the cremation cost figures on PriceOfCremation.com come from, what they mean, and what they don’t mean.
Three kinds of figures
| Figure | Where it appears | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| National medians | Homepage and national guides | Figures from a named, published study (for example, the NFDA 2023 General Price List Study), shown with the source and year. |
| City price ranges | City cremation cost guides | General editorial estimates to show typical cost differences between service types. They are not quotes from, or prices confirmed by, the providers in that city, and they may not reflect current prices. |
| Your own estimate | Cost calculator and comparison worksheet | Totals calculated only from the prices you enter from providers’ price lists. We don’t add any prices. |
Why we don’t publish provider quotes
Funeral and cremation prices change, packages differ in what they include, and providers in the same city can charge very different amounts. The only reliable price is the one a provider gives you. Under the FTC Funeral Rule, providers must give you an itemized General Price List, and must give prices by phone if you ask.
How to get accurate local prices
- Call or visit two or three licensed providers and ask for their General Price Lists.
- Ask what a “direct cremation” package includes and excludes.
- Enter each provider’s prices in our comparison worksheet.
Updates
We update national figures when a newer edition of the cited study is published. We’re reviewing our city guides to add dates and sources. Until then, their price ranges are labeled as estimates on each page.
Last updated September 30, 2026.