Is a Casket Required for Cremation?
When people order direct cremation in Los Angeles, they often have many questions. “Is a casket required for direct cremation?” may be one of them. This article tells you everything you need to know.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Caskets vs. Coffins vs. Cremation Containers
- Comparing Cremation Container Types
- Comparing Caskets and Cremation Containers
- Opal Cremation is Here to Help
- FAQs
- Additional Resources
Key Takeaways
- Los Angeles families have many questions when they order direct cremation and may wonder if a casket is required.
- A casket is not necessary for cremation, but it can be nice to have if families want a viewing.
- However, cremation containers are ideal if there is no viewing, offering financial and environmental benefits. Some nicer containers can even be used for viewing purposes.
Introduction
There are many questions that arise when it comes to funeral planning, and if you are considering cremation in Los Angeles, you may wonder what’s required for the process. Here are some common questions people ask.
- How long does it take?
- What happens to the body?
- What do the cremated remains look like?
- “Is a funeral casket required for cremation?”
In addressing the final question, the short answer is no, you are not required to have a funeral casket for cremation. Generally, caskets are used only for embalmed bodies, pre-funeral visitation, open-casket funeral services, and burial.
Typically, the caskets used in traditional funeral services cannot accommodate cremation. They may not burn and could cause environmental damage if you attempt to put them through a crematory chamber.
“In the US, the FTC’s ‘Funeral Rule’ prohibits a Funeral Home from telling a family that the purchase of a casket is required for cremation when that is not the case.”
Eric Sawyer, a retired funeral director/embalmer, after 34 years
Caskets vs Coffins vs. Cremation Containers
The confusion around caskets and cremation might exist because there are special containers made from wood or other flammable materials that hold the bodies when they are placed into the cremation chamber. However, these are not your typical caskets. They also aren’t coffins.
Let’s take a look at caskets, coffins, and cremation containers to ensure you know the difference.
- Caskets: These are standard rectangular boxes with a hinged lid and interior lining. They are typically what people picture when they think of burials
- Coffins: These six- or eight-sided boxes are typically wide at the shoulders and narrow at the feet. They were commonly used in Europe and early American funerals but are experiencing a slight resurgence because they use less wood than a casket and are therefore more environmentally friendly.
- Cremation Containers: Any device used to hold a body before cremation. They may include:
- Alternative containers that are made of unfinished wood, fiberboard, or heavy cardboard. They are functional, combustible, and no frills.
- Cremation Caskets: Built specifically to be combustible, with no metal hardware or synthetic linings, these caskets provide a more attractive aesthetic ideal for families that want viewings before combustion.
- Rental Caskets: These are full caskets with a removable interior insert. The family rents the shell for viewing, then the insert and body go to cremation.
Funeral homes often take advantage of families’ emotional states and their lack of knowledge of the funeral industry, charging hidden fees and markups. Cremation caskets are often bundled into services, which can contribute to higher prices.
However, families can get around this by declining a casket and selecting an alternative container, even if it’s bundled into an upsell. They can also purchase a casket from a third-party retailer and have it delivered to the funeral home, which must accept it without charging a fee.
Comparing Cremation Container Types
| Container Type | Materials | Best For | Average Cost | Viewing Ready? |
| Alternative Container | Cardboard, fiberboard, unfinished wood | Direct cremation with no service | $50-$300 | No |
| Cremation Casket | Combustible wood, no metal, hardware, or synthetic lining | Families wanting a viewing before cremation | $500-$2.000 | Yes |
| Rental Casket | Full casket shell with removable insert | Viewing + cremation; cost-conscious families | Varies by provider | Yes |
| Traditional Casket | Metal, treated wood, synthetic lining | Metal, treated wood, synthetic lining | $1,000 – $3,000 | Yes |
Comparing Caskets and Cremation Containers
A casket is not necessary for direct cremation, a process in which the body is cremated without a service. However, Southern California families who want a viewing or ceremony before cremation may order or rent one. Otherwise, they may simply purchase a cremation container.
Here are some advantages of going that route:
- Cost: A cremation container is significantly more affordable than a casket, costing $50 – $300 as compared to $1,000 to $3,000 or more. Some providers, like Opal, even include cremation containers in their direct cremation packages.
- Environmental Benefits: Cremation containers require fewer materials and produce less combustion byproduct, making them more eco-friendly than caskets.
- Flexibility for Personalization Elsewhere: Containers are part of the direct cremation process, which offers various celebration-of-life options that can be personalized for loved ones’ needs, such as a sea scattering, a parting stone, or a cremation diamond.
- No Functional Difference in Outcome: The container does not impact the ashes in any meaningful way. Families can still invest in an attractive urn or memorial keepsake for storage.
- It’s Fit for Purpose: The lightweight fully combustible design supports a seamless process. Containers that don’t feature typical casket components can slow cremation.
- Can Be Suitable for Viewings: Although caskets are typically purchased for viewings, nicer cremation containers may be suitable.
In California, there’s no law requiring a casket for cremation — an alternative container, such as a simple cardboard or wood enclosure, is perfectly legal and commonly used. The only requirement is that the cremation provider must inform the authorizing family member that these alternative containers are available.
Opal Cremation Is Here to Help
At Opal, we aim to educate our customers, whether it’s about choosing a casket or a container, or learning about the direct cremation process. We also provide several options for celebrating loved ones’ lives, including viewings, cremation diamonds, parting stones, or sea scatterings.
Think cremation services might be right for you or your family member? Opal Cremation offers affordable cremation services in Southern California, including Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties, with locations in El Segundo, Costa Mesa, and Carlsbad. Our team of professionals is available 24/7 to take your call and would be happy to walk you through your options and the cremation planning process.
For more information, contact us online or call 1-888-419-4389.
FAQs
What happens to the cremation container after cremation?
A cremation container holds a body during cremation and combusts during cremation. Metal and other materials that are not combustion-friendly are removed before the process to ensure safety.
Can you personalize or decorate a cremation container?
Yes, you can personalize or decorate a cremation container with photos, written messages, and mementos. However, some decorative elements may have to be removed before cremation, especially if they present a risk.
What can be placed in the container with the body?
Families often want to include letters, flowers, photos, and small items inside the cremation container. However, there are safety-related restrictions. For example, pacemakers, metal, and glass are not allowed.
Cremation Container vs. Urn: What’s the Difference?
A cremation container holds a body before it is cremated. The urn holds the ashes (or cremains) after cremation.
What is Direct Cremation?
Direct cremation is the simplest form of cremation and is typically the most inexpensive, with services not conducted in advance but often part of the celebration of life at a later date. As a package, direct cremation also typically includes a death certificate, transportation of the body, a container, and the return of ashes. However, many providers charge hidden fees that inflate prices drastically.
Contact Opal to learn more about our truly all-inclusive services.
