Funeral Costs in Arkansas | 2026 Guide

End-of-Life Planning Guide • Updated 2026

This guide aims to answer some key questions about making funeral or cremation arrangements in Arkansas. We provide an overview of some legal aspects of making funeral plans, including Arkansas-specific funeral laws and the funeral or cremation costs to expect.

In Arkansas, direct cremation services are among the most affordable in the region. The DFS Memorials network offers direct cremation from $795–$895, making it an accessible option for families planning ahead or facing immediate needs.

Selecting a funeral home or cremation service provider in Arkansas

One of the first decisions to be made when a death occurs is choosing a funeral services provider. Traditionally, many families just went with their nearest funeral home or chose a recommended local one. Today, this is changing as families are becoming more discerning funeral consumers and may have different funeral needs.

If you have not yet selected a funeral home in Arkansas, you can use our funeral directory to locate a funeral services provider.

The DFS Memorials Affordable Cremation Network has provider locations in Arkansas offering a direct cremation from $795.

Do you require burial or cremation service?

This decision is the next crucial decision to be made. Although a funeral home can collect the deceased from the place of death without the family having decided on burial or cremation, this single choice may affect which funeral services provider you choose.

Choosing between burial or cremation is a personal choice, but these days it can be governed as much by cost as by the family’s (or the deceased’s) wishes.

A traditional funeral costs significantly more than a cremation, so opting for cremation can save a family thousands of dollars in funeral expenses.

Cremation is gaining popularity in Arkansas (as it is across the United States) because families’ funeral decisions are increasingly guided by what they can afford today.

For a detailed exploration of cremation costs and options available in Arkansas, visit our Guide to Cremation Costs in Arkansas.

Understanding Cremation laws in Arkansas

Cremation is regulated across the United States, but each state has its own laws. Before the deceased can be cremated, a legal ‘waiting period’ of 24 hours is required.

Embalming is NOT required prior to cremation in Arkansas, and the deceased can be stored for up to 48 hours without embalming or refrigeration.

An ‘authorizing agent‘ must sign the Cremation Authorization Documentation before the cremation is conducted. The authorizing agent is generally the next of kin, but the law in Arkansas has now changed, and you can authorize your own cremation (when preplanning your funeral arrangements) by signing the necessary forms.

This can save the family the issue of making this decision and can simplify the process when the time comes.

The authorizing agent must specify how the cremated remains should be disposed of. According to Arkansas statutes, if the authorizing agent has not made arrangements for the disposition of the cremated remains within 60 days, the cremation authority may do so.

What Are the Different Cremation Service Options in Arkansas?

Cremation has become an increasingly popular choice for families across Arkansas. According to national funeral industry data, cremation rates continue to rise each year as families look for simpler, more flexible, and often more affordable funeral arrangements.

However, cremation does not mean there is only one type of service. Families in Arkansas can choose from several different cremation service options depending on their budget, religious traditions, and personal preferences.

Below are the most common cremation options available through Arkansas funeral homes and cremation providers.

Direct Cremation (The Most Affordable Option)

Direct cremation is the simplest and most economical cremation service available. With direct cremation, the body is cremated shortly after death without a formal viewing or funeral service beforehand.

A typical direct cremation in Arkansas usually includes:

• Transportation of the deceased from the place of death
• Basic services of the funeral director
• Filing necessary permits and paperwork
• The cremation process
• A simple temporary container for the ashes

Because there is no embalming, viewing, or ceremony at the funeral home, direct cremation is significantly less expensive than traditional funeral services.

Many Arkansas families choose direct cremation and then plan a separate memorial service or celebration of life at a later time. This approach gives families the flexibility to gather when it is convenient, often in a more personal setting.

Typical cost in Arkansas: $795 – $2,000

Cremation with a Memorial Service

Some families want the simplicity of cremation but still wish to hold a formal gathering to remember their loved one. In this case, a memorial service may be arranged after cremation.

A memorial service can be held at:

• A funeral home chapel
• A church or place of worship
• A community venue
• A park or outdoor location
• A family home

Unlike a traditional funeral service, the body is not present. Instead, the urn containing the cremated remains may be displayed along with photographs, flowers, or personal memorabilia.

Memorial services are often more personalized and can include music, video tributes, and storytelling to celebrate a person’s life.

Typical cost in Arkansas: $2,000 – $4,000

Cremation with a Viewing and Funeral Service

Some families prefer a more traditional funeral format that includes a viewing or visitation before cremation.

With this option, the deceased is typically embalmed and placed in a casket for a visitation and funeral ceremony at a funeral home or church. After the service, the body is cremated rather than buried.

This option allows family and friends to gather, say goodbye, and participate in customary funeral rituals before cremation.

However, because embalming, casket rental, and funeral services are involved, this option can be significantly more expensive than direct cremation.

Typical cost in Arkansas: $4,000 – $7,000

Witness Cremation

Some crematories in Arkansas offer families the option to witness the start of the cremation process.

This option allows close family members to be present at the crematory when the cremation chamber is started. For some families, witnessing the cremation provides a sense of closure and reassurance that the process is handled with dignity and respect.

Witness cremations may involve additional scheduling or facility fees, depending on the crematory.

Typical additional cost: $100 – $500

Green or Eco-Friendly Cremation Alternatives

A growing number of families are interested in environmentally conscious end-of-life choices.

While traditional flame cremation is still the most widely available option in Arkansas, some families may consider:

• Green burial in a natural cemetery
• Water cremation (aquamation) is available in neighboring states
• Biodegradable urns for ash scattering or burial

These options appeal to families who want to minimize environmental impact while still choosing cremation or cremation alternatives.

Choosing the Right Cremation Option

The right cremation service depends on several factors, including:

• Your family’s budget
• Religious or cultural traditions
• Whether you want a formal gathering or a simple farewell
• Personal preferences about memorialization

Many families today choose direct cremation followed by a personalized celebration of life, which allows them to create a meaningful tribute without the high cost of a traditional funeral.

Understanding Embalming

There is no legal requirement for the deceased to be embalmed in Arkansas. Some funeral homes in Arkansas may have policies that stipulate they require a body to be embalmed for a public viewing or open casket service.

If you do not wish to have the deceased embalmed, you need to carefully check a funeral home’s requirements before committing to their services.

Casket Options

In compliance with the FTC’s ‘Funeral Rule,’ you can legally purchase a casket from a third-party seller in Arkansas and do not have to purchase a casket from the funeral home. If you choose to purchase a casket elsewhere, your funeral home MUST accept your casket and cannot charge you a handling fee.

Burial & Cemetery Requirements

When selecting a burial option, families should understand that grave plots, opening and closing fees, and vault requirements vary by cemetery. It is important to ask about all associated costs when planning a burial in Arkansas.

Pre-Planning

What laws govern purchasing a prepaid funeral plan in Arkansas?

Although the FTC regulates the funeral industry, each state has its own legislation governing the sale of preneed funeral contracts. In Arkansas, any funeral home or agent selling prepaid funeral plans must obtain a permit from the Insurance Commissioner.

The preneed contract is funded using a Trust fund, insurance, or an annuity. Do make sure you carefully check the details of any prepaid contract, especially the refund terms for cancellation or plan transfer.

Do bear in mind that you can safely put funds aside in a POD account that can be accessed by your next of kin immediately at the time of death. It should also be noted that the rising cremation rate and other changes in the funeral industry may be driving down the average cost of a funeral.

Another reason why locking in on today’s funeral prices may not potentially be a wise ‘investment’!

Scattering Ashes

Many families choose to scatter the cremated remains of their loved one. There are no state laws in Arkansas prohibiting the scattering of ashes on private land with the property owner’s permission. For public lands, contact the relevant state or local agency for guidelines.

Financial Assistance

Families in Arkansas facing significant funeral expenses may qualify for financial assistance through various programs. These include Social Security benefits, veterans benefits, need-based assistance programs, and in some cases, burial insurance policies. Consult with your funeral director or local social services for more information about available programs.

Donating your whole body to science in Arkansas

Donating your body to science is an ethical alternative, and some also consider it a ‘no-cost’ disposition alternative. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences operates a body bequeathal program. Contact the University at 501-686-5180 for more information. Alternatively, you can consider a national body donation organization.

End-of-Life Support & Death Doula Services in Arkansas

Planning for end-of-life care in Arkansas is about more than legal documents or funeral arrangements — it’s about ensuring comfort, clarity, and dignity during one of life’s most vulnerable transitions. End-of-life support professionals, often known as death doulas or end-of-life doulas, provide non-medical, holistic guidance to individuals and families before, during, and after death. Their services may include advance care planning, emotional and spiritual support, legacy projects, family advocacy, bedside presence, and grief support, all tailored to the laws, resources, and care options available in Arkansas.

Whether working alongside hospice or supporting families independently, death doulas help reduce fear, ease decision-making, and ensure that a person’s final wishes are understood and honored. Families can explore local end-of-life doulas and support services through our Arkansas Death Doula Directory.

A death has occurred away from my home state. What do I do?

With a more transient population, this eventuality is increasingly common. If a loved one has died away from Arkansas or needs to be transported back to a home state/country, you will need to consider the services of a mortuary shipper.

Transporting a body (either domestically or internationally) can work out costly. There are rigid rules to be met, and in the case of international ship-outs, consulate and customs paperwork to be completed. You need a funeral director at the location of the death and at the destination to coordinate the funeral shipping process.

For this reason, families will sometimes decide to arrange a cremation at the location of death and transport the cremated remains. This can work out much simpler and significantly less expensive.

Check out our section on Funeral Shipping.

If you regularly travel for work, pleasure, sport, visiting family, or snowbirding, you may wish to consider our great-value Travel Protection Plan. This plan costs just $450 for an individual for lifetime protection against the costly expense of returning a body home if a death occurs 75 miles (or further) from your residence in Arkansas. It also provides global coverage. Domestic funeral shipping can cost from $3,000, and International repatriation can start at around $6,900.

Visit our article on Travel Protection: Your Guide to Affordable Funeral Shipping, or click on the link below to enroll today.

Death Certificates

A death certificate is an official legal document issued by the state of Arkansas that records a person’s death. Multiple certified copies of the death certificate are needed to settle an estate, file life insurance claims, and notify government agencies. It is advisable to obtain several certified copies when the death certificate is first issued, as there may be a fee for additional copies.

Arkansas Funeral legislation – laws governing home death care

Most families just go ahead and use the services of a funeral home rather than consider handling the death care themselves. However, it is perfectly legal for you to conduct your own ‘home funeral’ if you so wish. In Arkansas, no legal statute dictates that you must employ a funeral director.

If you are interested in home death care and a family-directed funeral, check out our Funeral Resource on DIY Funerals. Organizations that support families with home funerals in Arkansas also exist.

Filing a Complaint

Arkansas State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors licenses funeral homes in Arkansas. For more information about rules, regulations, and Arkansas statutes, or if you have a complaint about a funeral home in Arkansas, you can contact the State Board. http://www.arkansas.gov/fdemb/

If you have a general question about arranging a funeral or cremation in Arkansas that we have not addressed here, please feel free to contact us, and we will do our best to assist you.

Resources

Funeral Homes in Arkansas

Funeral Homes in Little Rock

DFS Memorials – Save on Cremation Costs in Arkansas

The Ultimate Guide to Cremation

The FTC’s Funeral Rule

Arkansas Death Doula Directory