Arranging a Funeral or Cremation Service in Nevada

This guide will answer some key questions about making funeral or cremation arrangements in Nevada. We provide an overview of some legal aspects of making funeral plans specific to Nevada funeral laws and what funeral or cremation costs to expect.

With the average traditional funeral in Nevada costing between $7,000 and $10,000, and that’s before a cemetery plot and grave marker are added to the total bill, it’s not hard to see why more and more families in Nevada are considering cremation as an alternative. 

Below is a cremation cost comparison for the main cities, which will help you better understand direct cremation prices in Nevada.

Cremation is not only significantly less expensive, but it also allows families much more flexibility in planning a memorial service.  Unlike the traditional funeral burial, where everything must be planned and arranged in a very short time, a cremation can happen immediately after the death. 

Direct Cremation is the least expensive type of cremation. However, you may find some funeral homes reluctant to want to talk about this as an option, and often the funeral directors will want to discuss other products and services available, as extras.  With a direct cremation, the funeral director chosen is responsible for:

• collecting the body from the place of death
• storage of the deceased prior to the cremation
• filing the legal paperwork
• taking the body to the crematory for cremation
• returning the ashes to family or next of kin 

How do you choose which funeral home or cremation provider will meet your needs?

This is a crucial question central to everything else coming together smoothly. Traditionally, many families choose their funeral home based on recommendations from family and friends.  

This is not always the case these days for several reasons. There are around 95 funeral homes in Nevada, so you need to focus on your local area and your personal requirements.  

Deciding what you need from your funeral director can help you select who best matches your needs. 

How do I find a funeral home or cremation provider in Nevada?

Visit our Funeral Homes and Cremation Providers in Nevada directory to locate nearby funeral service providers. If you want a low-cost cremation service – visit DFS Memorials Nevada to locate your local affordable cremation provider.

The State Board licenses all funeral establishments in Nevada. The license should be displayed in the funeral home and bear the name of the licensed funeral director.

Do you want a burial or cremation in Nevada?

This decision will underpin many of the other choices you need to make. Choosing between burial or cremation is an entirely personal choice. If the deceased had expressed a preference, this is straightforward, but if not, you may need to read a little more about burial or cremation before you decide.

Nevada’s cremation rate is around 73%, making it one of the top five states with the highest rate. Consequently, many funeral homes or cremation societies offer cremation at very competitive prices.

Nevada laws governing cremation or burial arrangements.

You may authorize your cremation prior to your death in Nevada by signing the appropriate consent and authorization documentation. This can be a great help (and relief) to your next of kin, as it removes the need to process these authorizations at the time of passing and can make everything proceed in a timely and less stressful manner.

If you elect a burial, you will require additional funeral merchandise such as a casket, vault liner, and cemetery plot. This is why burial is more expensive than cremation in Nevada, as it is in all states.

Home burial is permitted in Nevada, but you must notify the health division of Human Services and draw up a cemetery deed.

What is the cost of a funeral or cremation in Nevada?

This may be an important question you are seeking to answer. As price-conscious consumers, we all turn to the Internet to help answer our queries about how much something costs.  

Unfortunately, not all funeral homes choose to publish funeral prices on their websites or advertising literature, so it can be difficult to find prices without phoning the funeral home.  

If costs are a concern and you are looking for the best value cremation service in Nevada, then visit DFS Memorials and find your nearest provider offering basic, affordable cremation.

Visit our Ultimate Guide to Cremation to learn more about cremation services, the cremation process, secure ID tracking, cremation regulations, and laws.

What are my options for sending or purchasing funeral flowers in Nevada?

Funeral flowers are an integral part of funerals. They help to brighten up a somber event and are a means of sharing our feelings of passion, love, and empathy.

Traditionally, the deceased’s family will arrange any casket spray, but other relatives or friends may add their own floral arrangements, standing sprays, and wreaths. Your funeral director may be able to offer you floral services but do ensure their price is competitive. It is an ancillary service you will be charged for, and you may find it can cost more than purchasing directly.

Visit our Funeral Flowers Guide, or call (800) 317-4807 for discounts on Funeral Flowers.

Is embalming required in Nevada?

No, Nevada law does not require embalming for the first 72 hours (unless by order of the Board of Health). Some funeral homes may uphold a policy that requires embalming if the deceased is to be stored on-site. Refrigeration must be available for bodies stored over 24 hours. 

What are my options for purchasing a casket or alternative container?

Nevada law does not require a casket for burial, but a rigid combustible alternative container, such as a rigid cardboard or plywood box, is required for cremation.

You have the right to purchase a casket from a third-party seller, and your funeral home must accept it without adding a surcharge. This can significantly reduce your overall funeral costs.  

Typically, a standard casket from a funeral home can cost around $3,000, whereas you can purchase one from a retailer or online for as little as $995. Most retailers also offer next-day delivery.

Visit our Guide to Buying a Casket to learn more.

What are burial and cemetery plot requirements in Nevada?

There is no law requiring a burial vault, although many cemeteries in Nevada have regulations stipulating that one must be used.  

The vault’s purpose is to assist the cemetery with maintaining the integrity of the ground and preventing subsidence. It can help prevent the leakage of embalming chemicals into the water table, but it has no additional preservative qualities.

In the main, it is just another additional expense the cemetery can charge. You should also check regulations about erecting a headstone, as cemeteries carefully regulate these.

Natural Burial or a Green Funeral in Nevada

There is one natural burial cemetery serving Nevada: Eastside Memorial Park in Minden, south of Carson City. As much of Nevada is desert, a natural earth burial is not as accessible in the State. However, human composting (Natural Organic Reduction) was legalized in Nevada in May 2023.

Visit our article about Human Composting to learn more about this new alternative sustainable death care process.

Can I pre-plan a funeral or cremation? How does Nevada state law govern preneed plans?

Yes, you can preplan a funeral or cremation in Nevada – this is generally called a “preneed” contract. In Nevada, a preneed funeral contract can only be sold by an agent with a valid certificate of authority to sell preneed.

All funds are held in trust. If the contract is canceled, only the net purchase price of the preneed contract must be refunded. 

What are the laws for scattering ashes in Nevada?

Nevada law allows ashes to be scattered on private property with the owner’s permission. In addition, you can scatter ashes by air, over a public waterway, or in a Memorial Garden.

If you wish to scatter cremated remains in a state park in Nevada, you should obtain a permit from the park ordinance. You must scatter ashes at least 100 yards from any road, trail, body of water, or developed facility.

Aerial ash scattering over the Sierra Nevada Mountains can start at around $225 but can cost up to $850 for an aerial scattering over the Grand Canyon.       

What help is available with funeral expenses in Nevada?

A $255 lump-sum death benefit payable from Social Security is payable to a surviving spouse if the spouse qualifies. Certain benefits are available for veterans, and you should contact your local VA.

Nevada has two state-run veterans’ cemeteries, one in Fernley and one in Boulder City. Veterans, their spouses, and certain dependents are entitled to a free cemetery plot and marker. 

Nevada has an indigent burial assistance program managed at the county level. For those on very low incomes and without income, the local county will cover the costs of a direct cremation.

You should contact your local county Social Services department to learn about applying for assistance with funeral costs. 

Are whole-body donations permitted in Nevada?

Yes, you may donate your body to medical research in Nevada. The following Nevada institutions offer an anatomical bequest program:

• Medical Education & Research Institute of Nevada (MERIN)
• The University of Nevada School of Medicine

You need to contact the institution and determine their donor acceptance criteria. Not all donors are accepted at death, and you may not have much control over the time frame in which the donated remains are cremated and returned.

Check out our Guide to Donation a Body to Science to learn more.

What do you do if your loved one dies away from Nevada?

If your loved one has passed away outside of Nevada and you wish to return him/her home for a burial, you will need the services of a funeral home at the place of death and your local receiving funeral home.

It is advisable to employ the services of a funeral professional who has experience with mortuary shipping.

Shipping remains has significant ancillary costs, so you need to consider this; it can amount to around $4,000 before any other funeral costs. The other option is to have a direct cremation performed at the place of death and have the cremated remains shipped back.

If you do regularly travel for work, pleasure, sport, visiting family, or snow-birding, 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. It also provides global coverage. Domestic funeral shipping can cost from $3,000, and International repatriation can start at around $6,900.

Where do I get a copy of a death certificate from in Nevada?

You can obtain certified copies of the death certificate from the Nevada Office of Vital Records. You can obtain copies in person or by mail to:

Office of Vital Records 
4150 Technology Way, Suite 104 
Carson City, Nevada 89706

If you wish to order online or by credit card, you need to do this via the VitalChek Network:  

http://www.vitalchek.com/vital-records/nevada/nevada-vital-records

Copies of death certificates are charged at $25.00 each.

What should you do if you have a complaint about funeral or cremation services or products you have purchased?

In the main, funeral directors are committed to delivering excellent service, but sometimes things go wrong. If you have a complaint about services rendered by a funeral home in Nevada, try and resolve it with the funeral director.

If your complaint is unresolved, you may lodge a formal complaint with the State Board of Funeral Directors, Embalmers & Operators of Cemeteries and Crematories, who will investigate.

State Board of Funeral Directors, Embalmers & Operators of Cemeteries and Crematories, 4894 Lone Mountain Road, Las Vegas, Nevada 89130.

For consumer support, you can also contact the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Nevada (FCAN) at P.O. Box 8413, Reno, NV 89507. Established in 1966, FCAN is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping consumers in Nevada access economical yet dignified funeral and memorial services. The FCAN serves Reno, Sparks, Carson City, and surrounding areas. 

Resources:

Funeral Homes in Nevada

DFS Memorials – Save on Cremation Costs in Nevada