Cremation Costs in Tennessee 2024

This guide will help you understand cremation costs in Tennessee. We have included a price comparison for cremation services across major cities, practical tips for saving money, and essential information for arranging a cremation service in Tennessee.

As more families turn to direct cremation in Tennessee as a more affordable and flexible alternative, it’s important to explore the various options available. Deciding on the right cremation service for your needs is a crucial step in planning.

What does a cremation cost?

Wanting to know what they should expect to pay for cremation often leads people to look online for a guide to cremation prices. The cost of cremation can vary depending on the funeral home providing the services and the type of cremation service option selected.

To help you better understand cremation costs near you, we have included below a sample of direct cremation prices from the major cities in Tennessee.

DFS Memorials is an independent network of affordable cremation service providers. All serve their local communities and offer low-cost direct cremation services. As you can see from the table above, DFS Memorials locations offer exceptional value cremation service packages compared to the local ‘average’ cost.

According to funeral price surveys in Tennessee, the average cost of a full-service cremation is $5,390, and the average cost for a direct cremation is $1,993*.  These are ‘average’ prices; you can make cremation arrangements for less than this.

Now, we will examine the different types of cremation services available and explain why a simple direct cremation is the cheapest option.

What are the different options for a cremation service?

Cremation offers versatility in how and where we can memorialize.  Choosing a cremation service can remove the need for expensive funeral expenses, such as a burial vault, cemetery plot, and casket.

You can opt for a Full Cremation Service, similar to a full-service funeral, except the deceased is cremated following the service. 

You can also choose to conduct a Cremation Memorial, in which the crematory first performs the cremation, and you can hold a memorial service once you have the cremation ashes.

Finally, you can choose to have a direct cremation. In this case, the funeral home provides minimal services. They complete all that is legally required to conduct a cremation, cremate the deceased, and return the cremated remains to the next of kin.

Visit our Ultimate Guide to Cremation to read more about cremation services.

Why is direct cremation so inexpensive?

A direct cremation is a basic service package.  Because it requires reduced professional service fees, it can be offered at a lower cost. Some funeral or cremation providers even request you complete online arrangement forms to streamline the process and reduce staff arrangement time.  It means you CAN arrange everything without even needing to visit a funeral home.

Make a point to check what is included with a direct cremation service package.  Unfortunately, not all funeral homes include all third-party fees, and what seems a low price can add extra charges.

Are there additional charges to a low-cost cremation package?

Most cremation service providers offer a package price that includes everything with the exception of third-party fees payable to the county for death certificates, cremation permits, and any other legal documentation required.

The cremation is conducted using a basic cremation container, and the cremated remains are returned in a temporary urn.  A selection of cremation urns may be offered to add to your cremation package at an extra charge.

You should also note that if the deceased were overweight (over 250 pounds), there would likely be an extra charge for a barometric cremation.  Similarly, if a pacemaker needs to be removed, there will be a small fee.

What are the legal requirements for a cremation disposition to proceed in TN?

The legal next of kin must all sign the Cremation Authorization Form to consent. If several family members are legally responsible (for example, siblings), all must agree and sign the authorization for cremation.

The funeral director can then obtain the Permit to Cremate. In Tennessee, there is usually a mandatory wait period of 48-72 hours after the death before a cremation can be performed.

Although, it usually takes 3 – 7 days to complete all the paperwork and schedule the cremation.

What is the Process for a Direct Cremation in Tennessee?

The process for a direct cremation to proceed in Tennessee will usually involve the following steps:

1. Select a Crematory and/or Funeral Home: You must choose a licensed crematory in Tennessee to handle the cremation process. You may want to research different facilities and compare their prices and services.

2. Transportation: The funeral director will coordinate the transportation of the deceased to the crematory. The funeral home or a mortuary transportation service will do this.

3. Complete all the necessary paperwork: The first step is to complete the required paperwork, which includes obtaining the death certificate and completing the cremation authorization form.

4. Pay for the cremation: Direct cremations are usually less expensive than traditional funeral services, and funeral homes will usually not proceed with the deceased’s collection or submit paperwork until full payment is made.

5. Scheduling of the cremation: Once all the documentation is completed, the crematory will schedule a date and time for the cremation.

6. Optional memorial service: Direct cremations typically do not include a formal memorial service. However, you can hold a small gathering or memorial event separately, either before or after the cremation.

7. Obtain the ashes: Once the cremation is complete, you can collect the ashes from the crematory. Depending on your selection, they can be returned to you in a temporary container or a more permanent urn.  Cremated remains can also be mailed to you if preferred. (Usually for an additional charge)

It should be noted that the specific process may vary slightly depending on the crematory and any additional services or arrangements you choose. Talk to your funeral director if you have questions or concerns about the cremation process.

How long does a cremation take in Tennessee?

The cremation process takes anywhere between 2 to 5 hours, depending on the grade of the equipment and the time of day.  Newer retorts perform faster, and once the retort has heated for the first cremation, subsequent cases will cremate faster.

What is the best option for setting up an affordable cremation plan in Tennessee?

You have 2 options. You can formally set up a cremation plan with a funeral service provider and deposit the funds. Or you can choose to pre-plan without paying by documenting your wishes, signing off a cremation authorization, and securing the funds in a Payable-on-death bank account (P.O.D.).

You can read more here about Setting up Your Own Cremation Plan.

How do I plan for a loved one in Hospice Care in Tennessee?

Some cremation providers offer a bespoke hospice service to hospices in their service area and may discount a hospice patient case, as their relationship enables them to expedite a case. Making some imminent provision for the loss of a loved one will help the family, as the hospice can be prepared to make the call and support the process.

What if the deceased is at the Medical Examiner’s Office & the family wants a simple cremation?

If a death is sudden, unexplained, or the result of an accident, the coroner will be called to investigate and confirm the cause of death. Once this is complete, the Medical Examiner’s Office will release the body to a funeral home. They also issue the death certificate and permit to cremate, so a funeral director can generally collect the deceased with all the necessary permits.

You must select a funeral home and sign a release form to transfer the body from the morgue.

What is a “no-cost” cremation?

A “no-cost” cremation is a free cremation offered with a whole-body donation. Also referred to as an anatomical gift, once the donation is completed at the Medical or Research Institution, the remains are cremated free of charge and returned to the next of kin. 

The DFS Memorials location in Memphis also works closely with the anatomical institutions in Tennessee in facilitating whole-body donations.  Call (901) 207-8564.

You can read more on our Body Donation page.

If the deceased did not have a funeral plan or life insurance, what help is there to pay for funeral expenses?

Most counties have a limited budget to conduct Indigent Cremations, and qualification requirements can be quite stringent. Welfare program recipients may receive some assistance. You should contact your local county Social Services department.

Are there green cremation alternatives in Tennessee?

Although water cremation or aquamation is legal in Tennessee, we do not know of any funeral homes offering it now.  It is still rather a ‘niche’ green cremation alternative and is only presently available in a few states. 

However, consumer demand for greener funeral alternatives and climate change agendas may lead to future growth and demand for this service.

Visit our Guide to Aquamation or Water Cremation to learn more.

What are the options for scattering cremated remains in Tennessee?

As more families opt for cremation, so there is an increased demand for ash-scattering memorial tributes.  Some cemeteries offer ash-scattering memorial gardens, or you can scatter on private land, scenic rural parkland, or a special location to the deceased.

Read the section on Tennessee Funeral Planning to learn more about the laws for scattering ashes.

You can also check out our more detailed guides to arranging a cremation service in Nashville and Memphis.

Please reach out to the team at US FUNERALS ONLINE if we can be of further assistance in your cremation service research for Tennessee.