When a loved one passes away, it can be an emotional time, yet there are important decisions that have to be made quickly about the end of life. It can feel overwhelming to make all of the arrangements and ensure you are not taken advantage of.
The Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule helps, requiring funeral homes and cremation providers to give you an itemized General Price List (GPL) upon request so you can compare various options. While you may choose a package price, you are not required to do so.
In Nevada, eight out of ten families choose cremation—more than in any other state in the U.S. If you are considering cremation services near you in Nevada, this guide will answer any questions you may have so you can make the best decision for your loved one. We’ll explain the different types of cremation services available, the price ranges for each, some tips on how to lower your costs, and an alternative to no-cost cremation.
Which Is Cheaper: A Funeral or Cremation?
According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the average cost of a funeral in 2024 is $8,300. That includes embalming, casket, funeral and memorial service, and burial. It may not include the cost of a burial plot or cemetery fees.
Comparatively, cremation service near you in Nevada will be significantly less expensive—ranging from a low of about $800 to $6,000 or more depending on the services you choose.
Types of Cremation Services and Costs
Let’s break down the different types of cremation services, what you get with each, and the typical costs.
Direct Cremation
If you are looking for low-cost cremation services near you in Nevada, the least expensive is direct cremation. This typically includes transportation, paperwork, permits, cremation, and return of the remains. Prices in Nevada range from $800 to $1,500.
Memorial Cremation
This option includes a memorial service and the use of a funeral home’s facilities. The body is typically cremated shortly after death, and the memorial service is held at a later date. Prices in Nevada range from $2,500 to $4,000.
Traditional Cremation
A traditional cremation is similar to a funeral and burial and includes additional services, such as a viewing and visitation. Note, however, that most funeral homes will require embalming to preserve the body properly for viewings. Costs can range from about $3,500 to $6,000 or more.
✓= Typically included, X = Typically not included
| SERVICES | Direct Cremation | MEMORIAL Cremation | TRADITIONAL Cremation |
| service fees | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| transportation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| cremation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| basic container | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| temporary urn | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| death certificate | X | ✓ | ✓ |
| embalming | X | X | ✓ |
| dressing/casketing | X | X | ✓ |
| viewing/visitation | X | X | ✓ |
| funeral service | X | X | ✓ |
| memorial service | X | ✓ | ✓ |
| casket rental | X | X | ✓ |
| cremation container | X | ✓ | ✓ |
| use of facilities | X | ✓ | ✓ |
| programs | X | ✓ | ✓ |
| AVG COST IN NEVADA | $800 – $1,500 | $2,500 – $4,000 | $3,500 – $6.000+ |
What Influences the Cost of Cremation?
The chart above shows ranges because you will find a variety in prices for cremation services near you in NV based on several factors. Here are some of the most common ones that will impact your cost.
Location within Nevada
Cremation costs can vary significantly based on whether you’re in a rural area or an urban center. In cities like Las Vegas, where the demand for cremation services is higher, prices may also be higher due to increased operating costs, competition, and the range of available services. Urban areas tend to have more funeral homes and cremation providers, offering a wider variety of packages that cater to different budgets.
On the other hand, in rural areas of Nevada, while the prices may be lower, there might be fewer service providers to choose from, which can limit options. Additionally, if the body needs to be transported to a more distant facility for cremation, this can add to the total cost.
According to US Funeral Online, here are the average prices for low-cost cremation services near you in Nevada by city in 2024:
- Boulder City: $1,464
- Carson City: $1,579
- Henderson: $1,441
- Las Vegas: $1,521
- Mesquite: $1,444
- Reno: $1,163
These are average prices and may include services beyond direct cremation. You can often find basic cremation costs near you in the $800 to $1,000 range.
Choice of Cremation Provider
Different cremation service providers and funeral homes use different pricing structures. For example, a funeral home that operates its own crematorium may be less expensive than one that has to transport the deceased to another facility.
When looking for cheap cremation services near you in NV, you should compare prices. Some providers offer packages that bundle certain services, while others allow for more à la carte choices, where you can pick and choose the specific services you want. Be sure to inquire about any additional fees, such as charges for weekend services or expedited cremation.
Additional Services
The cost of cremation can also be influenced by any additional services you request beyond the basic cremation. For example, if the cremation provider needs to transport the body from a hospital, hospice, or residence, this could result in extra fees. Likewise, the completion of required paperwork, such as obtaining the death certificate or filing permits, might also come with additional administrative costs.
Other special requests, such as holding a private family viewing before the cremation, attending the cremation, or scheduling a memorial service in conjunction with the cremation, can significantly increase the overall price. These services are optional, but you should be aware that they could drive up costs.
Memorial Products
Families can select from a wide range of urns, keepsake jewelry, or memorial plaques. Basic urns are often included in cremation packages, but if you opt for a more ornate or customized urn, the cost will rise.
There are other unique memorial options, such as biodegradable urns for families that want an eco-friendly solution or urns designed for scattering ashes. Each of these options comes with an additional cost, so it’s important to decide what’s most meaningful and affordable for your family.
Facility Fees
Cremation facilities often charge fees related to the use of their equipment and staff. Administrative fees may be applied for processing paperwork, coordinating with doctors, coroners, or state agencies, and managing the logistics of the cremation.
Operational costs such as the use of the cremation facility, cleaning, and maintenance are also included in the pricing. Families should ask providers for a detailed breakdown of what these facility fees cover to avoid surprises later.
Tips for Reducing Nevada Cremation Costs
When looking at options, there are other ways you can reduce the cost of a cremation.
Bring Your Own Urn
Cremation urns sold by funeral homes can be expensive. Unless you purchase an urn, the remains are typically returned in a plastic container or pouch. If you plan to scatter the remains, you may not need to purchase an urn.
If you plan to keep the remains, you have options. Cremation urns sold by funeral homes can be expensive, but you can find urns online at places like Amazon for as low as $25. Many facilities will allow you to use your own urn, but you will want to check ahead of time.
You can save money by purchasing an urn online, from a local craft store, or even using a meaningful container you already own.
Skip Embalming
Unless you plan to host a viewing ceremony before cremation, skip the embalming. Embalming is not required by law in Nevada in most cases.
Host Your Own Memorial
You do not have to pay for services at a funeral home or religious institution. You may consider holding a memorial service at your home, at a park, or other meaningful location. While less formal, it allows you to personalize how you honor your loved one.
Other Ways to Reduce Costs
Other ideas for reducing the cost of cremation include:
- Creating a memory book or slide show
- Planting a memorial tree or garden
- Set up an online memorial
- Scattering the remains in a meaningful location
Assistance for Nevada Families Unable to Afford Cremation
Families that can’t afford to pay for cremation may have options available from the county where they live. Each Nevada county has a fund for indigent burials or cremations. You can view a list of the 17 counties with contact information on the Nevada Association of Counties website.
Other financial assistance may be available through:
- The Social Security Administration (SSA): Offers a lump sum benefit for qualified individuals to help defray the costs of cremation or burial.
- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Provides reimbursement for some funeral arrangements for eligible veterans.
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Funds are available for victims of natural disasters.
There are also charitable and religious organizations that provide assistance. Some local funeral homes may have partnerships with such charities to help reduce costs. Typically, these programs are only available to low-income residents.
View our list of charitable organizations that provide financial help for those unable to afford cremation in Nevada.
No-Cost Cremation by Donating a Body to Medical Science
Looking for no-cost cremation services near you in Nevada? Consider donating your body to advanced medical science.
United Tissue Network (UTN) coordinates body donations for medical science in Nevada. As a non-profit organization accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB), UTN serves as a vital link between donors, their families, and the scientific community.
By choosing body donation with UTN, you can reduce your end-of-life expenses. UTN pays all of the costs associated with transportation, storage, and placement of the deceased’s body with a reputable medical research or educational facility. UTN will handle all of the logistics and pay for the body to be cremated after the research concludes. The remains may be returned to the family or available for pickup upon request—all at no cost to you.
Body donation for medical science enables families to find meaning in death. It creates a lasting legacy for your loved one, which can have a profound impact on advancing medical science and educating the next generation of doctors. Several important medical breakthroughs have come from body donations in areas such as cancer treatment, Alzheimer’s, Parkinsons, and heart disease. Other donations have helped develop innovative surgical techniques and drug therapies to produce better medical outcomes.
If you are interested in pledging yourself to become a body donor or registering a loved one, you can sign up online. UTN accepts most body types, including those of advanced age or afflicted with most diseases. The only automatic disqualifiers would be individuals with a communicable disease such as HIV/AIDs or hepatitis. Such precautions are necessary to ensure the safety of researchers.
Frequently Asked Questions—FAQs
Do cremation places pick up the body from the hospital?
Yes, most cremation providers offer transportation services to pick up the body from a hospital, hospice, or home. This service typically may include an additional fee, so it’s important to confirm the cost.
Is it realistic for a funeral or cremation to cost $5000 total?
It is possible to have a funeral or cremation for $5,000 or even more. Direct cremations or holding memorial services on your own can significantly reduce the costs.
How much does cremation cost without services?
The cost of direct cremation, which includes only the basic cremation process without any additional services, typically ranges between $800 and $1,500 in Nevada, depending on the provider.
Can you pay for funerals in installments?
Most funeral homes and crematoriums will offer payment plans or financing options, so you can pay a deposit upfront and then pay the rest over time.
Learn more about how whole body donation works with United Tissue Network or call one of our Donor Specialists at (877) 738-6111. U.S.-based support is available 24/7.
