This guide addresses key questions about arranging funerals or cremations in North Carolina. We provide an overview of key legal aspects of making funeral plans, including North Carolina-specific laws, and expected funeral and cremation costs.
With the average traditional funeral in North Carolina 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 North Carolina are considering cremation as an alternative.
| DIRECT CREMATION SERVICE | CALL NOW |
|---|---|
| $995 | (877) 958-3749 |
Comparing and Understanding Direct Cremation Costs in North Carolina.
To help you better understand how cremation prices can vary, we include below a table of cremation costs in the main cities in NC.
| CITY | AVERAGE PRICE | BEST PRICE (DFS) | CALL NOW (DFS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | $1,768 | $995 | (704) 233-7037 |
| Raleigh | $2,154 | $995 | (919) 213-7889 |
| Greensboro | $1,940 | $995 | (336) 223-5180 |
| Durham | $2,154 | $1,345 | (919) 213-7889 |
| Winston-Salem | $1,940 | $995 | (336) 223-5180 |
| Wilmington | $2,102 | $1,295 | (910) 212-6383 |
How do you choose which funeral home or cremation provider suits your needs?
A funeral or cremation is often referred to as a “distressed purchase” because it is a large, single purchase that most people make when recently bereaved and at a time of extreme emotional distress. For this reason, we may not make the best decisions and are easily swayed by those advising us.
One of the most important aspects of arranging a funeral is to ensure you select the ‘right’ funeral provider. Finding a funeral home or cremation provider who can cater to exactly what you need and implicitly understands your needs can make the funeral and bereavement process much easier to contend with.
Too often, people go to the funeral director they already know or were recommended to, which may not be the best choice for their needs. Before consulting a funeral home, try to clearly outline your key needs.
Do you want a burial or a cremation? Is arranging the funeral urgent, or do you need time to arrange for the family to attend? Does the funeral home need to be very close for visitation purposes? Or are you happy to use the services of a funeral home further afield? How important is the cost?
Funeral expenses can vary significantly across funeral homes, even in the same area, so shopping around is important. Once you have framed a clear outline of your key priorities and needs for a funeral, you can narrow down who the potentially suitable providers will be.
The North Carolina Board of Funeral Service (NCBFS) licenses all funeral establishments in North Carolina. When selecting a funeral establishment, you should ensure you are dealing with a reputable, licensed funeral home.
How do I find a funeral home or cremation provider in North Carolina?
Well, you are already in the right place. There are over 1,000 funeral homes in the state of North Carolina. US Funerals Online offers a comprehensive directory of North Carolina funeral homes and cremation providers.
Use our Funeral Homes in North Carolina section to find funeral homes in your city or area.
Do you want a burial or cremation?
As mentioned earlier, this is probably the most important decision affecting your funeral planning. Deciding between burial and cremation is an entirely personal choice, either of the deceased or the surviving family.
Burial is still more popular in North Carolina, but the cremation trend is affecting all states, and we are seeing more North Carolinians opting for cremation.
Cost is most definitely a significant factor in the rising cremation rate. An average burial costs $7,848 (NFDA), which doesn’t include the cost of the cemetery plot. In contrast, an average cremation service costs about $3,000, while a basic cremation service can be arranged for about $1,000.
Visit our Ultimate Guide to Cremation to learn more about cremation costs, service options, cremation laws, the cremation process, and other FAQs.
Can I arrange a ‘home funeral’ or green burial in North Carolina?
Yes, it is legal to conduct a home funeral in North Carolina. Furthermore, no laws specifically prohibit burial on your own land, although you should check with the local county zoning department.
Family-directed funerals, where the family manages the death care of their loved one at home, are experiencing something of a revival, especially as they can provide a more intimate, personal, and less expensive funeral option.
There are three natural green burial sites in North Carolina, and you can find support from local organizations that advocate for home funerals. The Funeral Consumer Alliance groups listed below can direct you to your nearest support group.
What is the cost of a funeral or cremation in North Carolina?
| DIRECT CREMATION SERVICE | CALL NOW |
|---|---|
| $995 | (877) 958-3749 |
This is the question many people turn to the Internet to find answers to these days. Unfortunately, it is the one element many funeral homes omit from their websites. There is not always a simple answer, and many a funeral home will tell you this, as they offer a whole array of ‘a la carte’ services.
The bottom line is that a funeral or cremation can cost as much as you want to spend. But more importantly, if finance is an issue and you are concerned about cost, look for fixed package deals that guarantee the total price.
The average cost for a direct cremation in North Carolina is $1,914*, although you can arrange a cremation for just $995 in Charlotte, Fayetteville, Durham, and other metro areas.
The average price for a full-service cremation is $5,848*, and cremation memorial services average between $2,600 to $5,000.
The DFS Memorials network of cremation providers in North Carolina all offer the best value simple cremation package in their area. All are local, licensed funeral homes committed to serving their community.
Contact your nearest provider by visiting DFS Memorials in North Carolina.
Green Cremation, Water Cremation, or Aquamation in North Carolina
North Carolina has legalized alkaline hydrolysis, also known as water cremation or aquamation. This is a much more carbon-reduced cremation alternative than flame cremation. It uses water and an alkaline solution to gently dissolve organic matter; the remaining bones are ground, producing remains similar to cremation ashes.
There are three known providers of aquamation in NC in Wilmington, Shelby, and Hillsborough. The cost of a water cremation ranges from $1,995 to $2,695.
Visit our Guide to Aquamation to learn more about this option.
What help is available with funeral expenses in North Carolina?
As more people struggle financially, this question is being raised more frequently. The type and level of help with funeral expenses vary considerably across states and counties.
In some areas, there is county-level support for indigents and those on welfare or low income to assist them in meeting funeral costs.
This support can be minimal and may only cover a basic direct disposition. For this reason, the state is now dealing with more ‘unclaimed bodies,’ where families sadly walk away because they have no money.
In these cases, after 10 days, the body is offered to the Commissioner of Anatomy, and/or the Chief Medical Examiner arranges the final disposition.
If you are struggling to meet funeral expenses, you may wish to consider a whole-body donation to science, which can help cover the disposition at no cost.
Read more below about donating a body to science in North Carolina.
The SSA’s one-time death benefit is $255 for those who qualify.
You may also find it useful to read our article ‘What are your options for paying for a funeral or cremation?’. It covers nearly every option for raising funds to cover funeral expenses.
If the deceased was a veteran or a veteran’s dependent, they are entitled to certain benefits, including a cemetery plot and a grave marker. The VA cemeteries in Raleigh, New Bern, and Wilmington are now closed for interments, but Salisbury has space for both casketed and cremated interments.
There are also three state-run veteran cemeteries in Spring Lake, Jacksonville, and Black Mountain. Contact your local VA office to find out more.
Sending funeral flowers in North Carolina
If you wish to send funeral flowers in North Carolina, US Funerals Online has partnered with BloomsToday to offer our visitors a 25% – 50% discount on sending sympathy and funeral flower arrangements.
Click to visit BloomsToday to view the full selection of sympathy flowers, or call (800) 317-4807.
Is embalming required in North Carolina?
No, embalming is not required by law. However, some funeral homes have policies that require embalming if an open-casket service is to be conducted or if the body is to be stored at their establishment for an extended period of time.
Do not feel pressured to have your loved one embalmed if you do not wish to. It is important to check whether a potential establishment has refrigerated storage if you are specifically keen to avoid embalming.
What are my options for purchasing a casket or alternative container?
In North Carolina, state law allows you to purchase a casket from a third-party seller according to the FTC’s funeral rule. This can significantly reduce the cost of a casket, and your funeral home MUST accept it and cannot charge a handling fee.
However, because this rule affects casket sales for funeral homes, many are now willing to price-match a retailer’s casket price.
If you consult a funeral home about caskets, they must provide you with a Casket Price List (CPL). Bear in mind that the state law does NOT require that a casket be used for burial. The law requires a “suitable, rigid combustible container” to be used for a cremation. This can be a sturdy cardboard box.
What are the burial and cemetery plot requirements in North Carolina?
Firstly, as mentioned above, no law prohibits burial on your land in North Carolina. However, certain local ordinances may apply, and you should adhere to guidelines that require burial to be at least 300 feet from any public water supply.
It is also suggested to avoid power lines and boundaries, and at least 18 inches of soil must be on top of the casket or coffin. It is recommended to produce a map marking the location of any burial sites.
For burial in a designated cemetery, no law requires a burial vault. However, many cemeteries have regulations requiring burial vaults. This is largely to protect the integrity of the land, but is also a huge way for cemeteries to make additional revenue.
Because cemeteries have quite strict regulations, it is highly recommended that you thoroughly check the ‘rules’ at any cemetery before you commit to a plot. Regulations can affect the costs to open and close a grave, the installation of a grave marker, and the type of perpetual care included.
Can I pre-plan a funeral or cremation? How does North Carolina state law govern preneed plans?
Yes, you can pre-plan a funeral or cremation in North Carolina. However, the state requires that only licensed funeral establishments sell preneed contracts and obtain a special license to do so.
Preneed contracts may be funded through a trust fund or insurance policy.
There has long been controversy about the safety of preneed trust funds, so you should carefully review the details and terms of any contract, particularly how secure it is and what happens if you move or wish to cancel.
Consider setting aside appropriate funds in a Payable-on-Death (POD) account so a family can access them at the time to cover funeral expenses.
End-of-Life Support, Hospice Services & Death Doula Services in North Carolina
With a growing aging population and a struggling healthcare system, it is becoming even more vital to consider what plans are in place for care for our elderly or infirm loved ones.
Planning for end-of-life care in North Carolina 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. If a loved one is on hospice care, you may be asked to share provisional arrangements about transfer into the care of a funeral provider in preparation for a death.
There are many support services to help guide a family when death is approaching. End-of-life support professionals, such 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 North Carolina.
Whether working alongside hospice or supporting families independently, death doulas offer a vital End-of-life ‘transition service to 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 North Carolina Death Doula Directory.
What are the laws for scattering ashes in North Carolina?
As the cremation rate increases, more people opt to scatter their loved ones remains. State law in North Carolina permits the scattering of cremated remains on private land (with the consent of the landowner).
Ashes may also be scattered over any uninhabited public land, public waterways, or sea, as long as Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations and common-sense guidelines are adhered to.
If you scatter the ashes yourself, the general guidance is to scatter at least 100 yards from any road, trail, body of water, or developed facility. It is perhaps advisable to wait a little before scattering, just to be sure about the decision, as it is irreversible.
Alternatively, keep some ashes in a keepsake urn or memento.
If you wish to scatter ashes off the coast of North Carolina or at Cape Hatteras or Ocracoke, you must notify the regional EPA office within 30 days. Environmental Protection Agency [Region 4], Attn: Gary Collins, 61 Forsyth Street Southwest, Atlanta, GA 30303 Phone: (404) 562-9395
Sea scattering must occur three nautical miles at sea, and only biodegradable flowers and containers may be used.
Are whole-body donations permitted in North Carolina?
Yes, you can donate your body to science in North Carolina. It can be a unique way to make a difference for future generations. Wake Forest University’s Baptist Medical Center accepts donations for educational purposes.
Transportation to the facility is the family’s responsibility, and the cremated remains are returned to the family after two years.
Remember that not all donations are accepted at the time of death. It is preferable to have pre-planned a donation and have completed the necessary paperwork. There are certain restrictions on suitability for donation purposes.
What do you do if your loved one dies away from North Carolina?
Unfortunately, this can happen more often nowadays, as we are a more mobile society. If your loved one dies away from North Carolina, you will need to consider whether to make arrangements to have the body transported back or have a cremation at the place of death, and the cremated remains shipped back.
You can find out more about this in our funeral shipping section.
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.
Visit our article on Travel Protection: Your Guide to Affordable Funeral Shipping, or click on the link above to enroll today.
Where can I obtain a copy of a death certificate in North Carolina?
Copies of a death certificate can be obtained from N.C. Vital Records. The office is at North Carolina Vital Records (Cooper Memorial Health Building)
225 N. McDowell St., Raleigh, NC 27603
The first copy costs $24.00, with each additional copy charged at $15.00. If same-day service is required, add an additional $15.00.
What should you do if you have a complaint about funeral services or products you have purchased?
Suppose you should have reason to be dissatisfied with the services or products provided to you by a licensed funeral home in North Carolina. You can formally complain to the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service, 1033 Wade Avenue, Suite 108, Raleigh, NC 27605. Phone: (919) 733-9380. More information here:
Related Articles:
Resources:
Guide to Cremation Costs in North Carolina
Funeral & Cremation Planning Guide – Charlotte
Funeral Homes in North Carolina
DFS Memorials – Save on Cremation Costs in North Carolina
North Carolina Board of Funeral Service (NCBFS)
*Online Funeral Price Survey – Average Funeral Costs in North Carolina
