How to buy a casket online.

The casket is the single largest line item on most funeral bills. The markup at a traditional funeral home runs 200% to 500% over wholesale. Industry consolidation has made it worse, not better — about half of all U.S. funeral homes now buy from the same handful of casket manufacturers (Batesville, Matthews, ASTRAL, Thacker), then resell with a heavy retail markup.

Real-world example pricing for the same 18-gauge steel casket:

• Funeral home — $3,500 to $4,500
• Costco (caskets.costco.com) — $1,200 to $1,800
• Walmart caskets — $1,000 to $2,000
• Amazon (search “steel casket”) — $900 to $1,500
• Trusted Caskets / Best Price Caskets / Titan Casket — $899 to $2,200

Hardwood caskets follow the same pattern — a $5,500 cherry casket at a funeral home is often $2,200 online from the same manufacturer.

The Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule (16 CFR Part 453) gives every consumer two specific rights that matter here:

• You can buy a casket from any source. The funeral home cannot refuse to handle a casket bought elsewhere.
• The funeral home cannot charge a casket-handling fee. If they try to add a “casket service fee” or similar charge, that is a federal violation.

Some funeral homes will tell you (incorrectly) that outside caskets “don’t fit” their facility, that there are “sanitation issues,” or that they require the family to be present at delivery. None of that is legal grounds to refuse. If a funeral home pressures you, they are violating the Funeral Rule, and you can report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov or to your state Attorney General.

Costco

Sells through caskets.costco.com. Limited selection (10–20 models) but pricing is among the lowest, free shipping in 48 hours to most U.S. addresses. No Costco membership required to buy. The catch: limited customisation.

Walmart

Carries caskets in many U.S. stores and online via walmart.com/caskets. Wider selection than Costco, comparable pricing, ships from regional warehouses. Some stores will even hold a casket on display for pickup.

Amazon

Sells caskets through third-party sellers. Selection is enormous, pricing varies widely, and quality control depends on the seller. Read reviews carefully and confirm shipping speed before buying.

Trusted Caskets

Specialty online retailer (trustedcaskets.com). Offers metal, hardwood, and rental caskets. Good selection of mid-tier and higher-end models with manufacturer warranties.

Best Price Caskets

Specialty online retailer (bestpricecaskets.com). One of the longest-running online sellers; specialises in 18- and 20-gauge steel and hardwood. Free 24-hour delivery in much of the country.

Titan Casket

Newer specialty retailer (titancasket.com). Direct-from-manufacturer, modern designs (custom prints, eco-friendly options). Slightly higher pricing than the bargain channels, but unique inventory.

Most online casket retailers can deliver within 24 to 72 hours across most of the continental United States. Same-day delivery is available in many metro areas if you order early enough. Standard shipping is usually free; express options run $100–$300.

The casket arrives in protective packaging, ready for use. The funeral home receives it, signs for delivery, and prepares it for the service. You don’t need to be present.

If a casket arrives damaged, the retailer is responsible for replacement — not the funeral home. Take photos at delivery and contact the retailer immediately. Reputable sellers will overnight a replacement at no charge.

Material

• 20-gauge steel — entry-level, $700–$1,300. Fully serviceable.
• 18-gauge steel — mid-range, $1,000–$1,800. Thicker, more durable; the most common online seller.
• 16-gauge steel — premium, $1,800–$2,800. Heavier still.
• Bronze or copper — premium, $3,000–$8,000. Considered the most resistant to corrosion.
• Hardwood (oak, mahogany, cherry, walnut) — $1,500–$5,000. Warm appearance, traditional choice.
• Pine, poplar, or other softwoods — $400–$1,200. Plainer; popular for green burial and Jewish tradition.

Construction

Look for a sealed gasket if you’re burying it (provides moisture resistance, but not necessary for cremation). Look for swing-bar handles if you want pallbearers to carry it. Look for an interior fabric (velvet or crepe) that suits the family’s preference.

What is not required

An “eternal seal,” “protective rubber,” or “hermetic gasket” does not prevent decay. The FTC has specifically forbidden funeral homes from claiming otherwise. Save the upgrade.

For cremation

Federal law requires the funeral home to make available an alternative container for cremation — typically cardboard or fiberboard, costing $50 to $200. You don’t need a $3,000 casket if the body is being cremated.

For green burial

Pine boxes, woven willow, sea grass, or biodegradable shrouds are accepted at green burial cemeteries. Pricing runs $300 to $2,000 depending on materials.

Casket rental

For a service that includes a viewing followed by cremation, the funeral home offers casket rental — a ceremonial casket with a removable insert that holds the body during the viewing, then transfers to a cremation container afterward. Rental fees are $500–$1,500.