How to Choose Funeral Arrangements & Disposition: Step-by-Step Guide

Today more than ever before, there are many options for the final disposition available to you. In addition to a so-called “traditional” funeral and burial, there are alternatives such as green or natural burial, cremation, alkaline hydrolysis (also known as “resomation” or “aquamation”), and burial at sea. In this section, we help you navigate through these choices and guide you in purchasing the option that best suits your budget and your needs. 

If you are making arrangements for the final disposition for a loved one who just died, we understand this is a difficult time for you. Nevertheless, we want you to understand your rights as a consumer so that you can make informed choices about the products and services you wish to buy. 

Note: The following information is most applicable to residents of California. However, where California’s laws or procedures differ greatly from those of the majority of other states, we have made an effort to make our out-of-state readers aware of this.

Jump ahead to: 

A. Protecting Your Consumer Rights
B. Choosing Cremation
C. Choosing Conventional Burial
D. Choosing Natural Burial
E. Choosing Alternatives to Burial and Cremation

A. Protecting Your Consumer Rights

Whether you opt for cremation, burial, or an alternative disposition choice, it is important to compare services and prices before making a decision. Although the majority of service providers follow ethical business practices, a history of poor regulation in the U.S. funeral industry has allowed some businesses to take advantage of vulnerable consumers. To curb these abuses, in 1984, the Federal Trade Commission adopted the Funeral Rule, which outlines important consumer protections and penalties for service providers who don’t comply. 

1. The Funeral Rule
The Funeral Rule protects consumers who are purchasing goods and services from funeral providers. According to the FTC, this includes any business that offers both funeral goods and funeral services to the public, including many cemeteries and crematories. It does not apply to third-party sellers, such as casket and monument dealers, or to cemeteries that do not have an on-site funeral home. 

Under the Funeral Rule, providers of funeral services must do all of the following when dealing with consumers:

• Provide you with a written General Price List (GPL) at the beginning of any face-to-face discussion regarding funeral arrangements, whether this takes place at the funeral home, in your home, or a hospital room. This list must be in a format that you can take with you when you leave. 
• Provide you with accurate price information over the phone. In most states, the provider does not need to mail a GPL in response to a phone inquiry but is required to answer your questions truthfully. You do not need to provide your contact information if you don’t want to do so. **
• Itemize all prices of all goods and services offered as part of a funeral “package,” and inform you that you have the right to purchase these items separately if you wish. 
• Disclose the provider’s basic service fee — the fee for services common to all funerals. 
• [Note: Additional fees cannot be added to your bill unless required by state or local law, in which case the provider must show you a written copy of the law that requires them]
• Disclose the fee for embalming and notify you that embalming is not required by law. A  provider may require embalming if a viewing will take place at the funeral home, but you have the right to refuse and take your business elsewhere or have a viewing in your home. (See our section on Home Funerals.)

• Show you the casket price list and the prices of outer burial containers (vaults) before showing these items to you. 
• Provide you with a written statement of all goods and services you are purchasing before you pay.

**As of this writing, service providers do not need to disclose the GPL or any of the above information electronically either via email or on their websites. In March 2014, Rep. Ed Whitfield of Kentucky introduced legislation to require such disclosure, but the bill stalled in the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade and has not been reintroduced. 

Getting Help
If you are confused about how to make disposition arrangements or believe a service provider is treating you unfairly, several consumer groups can help. These nonprofits can help ensure that you have the information and guidance you need to make a fully informed choice. 

1. The Funeral Consumer Alliance
The Funeral Consumer Alliance is a nonprofit consumer rights organization headquartered in Burlington, Vermont, with local affiliate chapters throughout the country. Its mission is to assist you in planning a meaningful, dignified, affordable funeral, and it provides its services free of charge. To find an FCA chapter in your area call the FCA headquarters at 1 (802) 865-8300. 

2. National Home Funeral Alliance
The National Home Funeral Alliance is a nonprofit that helps consumers plan and arrange natural death care and/or a home funeral. The organization also provides a directory of home funeral consultants, death doulas and other professionals who can assist consumers in this regard. 

3. Green Burial Council
If you wish to arrange a natural or green burial for yourself or a loved one and are having trouble finding providers or a cemetery, Green Burial Council can direct you to providers in your area. You can also call the GBC at 1 (888) 966-3330.

B. Choosing Cremation

Once a rarely used form of final disposition in the U.S., cremation has gained a great deal of  popularity in recent years. According to data from the National Funeral Directors Association, 53.5 percent of Americans chose cremation over burial in 2018, and that number is expected to rise to nearly 70 percent by 2030. 

Generally more cost-effective than a funeral and burial, cremation has also been touted by many proponents as a more environmentally friendly choice. But while it is almost certainly better for the environment than burying an embalmed body in a metal casket enclosed in a concrete vault, cremation does have some environmental costs that you should take into consideration before making your choice. 

Your Cremation Options
If you decide on cremation as a method of final disposition, there are five types of cremation service providers available from which to choose. They include:

1. Funeral Home 
Most funeral homes do not have an on-site crematorium but instead contract with a separate facility to provide services for their clients. In that case, the funeral home will make arrangements with the crematorium and transport the body of your loved one at the appropriate time. A funeral home will also offer visitation rooms, funerals (during which the body is present), memorial services (during which the body is not present), caskets and urns.

2. Cremation Retailer 
Cremation retailers typically offer only direct cremation and urns. They may also offer basic service packages, but these are typically very limited. 

3. Crematorium
Crematoriums may be located at a cemetery or funeral home or they can be stand-alone facilities. Some crematoriums will work directly with the public. However, many require that you make arrangements through a funeral home. 

4. Funeral Home and Crematorium
These are funeral homes that also have their own crematorium

5. Funeral Home, Crematorium, and Cemetery
These service providers include a funeral home, crematorium, and cemetery all in one location.

You may also choose between direct cremation (cremation without embalming, a viewing or  funeral service) or a cremation with a service provided by a funeral home. Direct cremation is usually the most cost-effective option. It also spares the bereaved family the need to plan a service immediately after the death of someone they love. 

Additionally, you will need to decide where you wish to purchase a casket or cremation container and an urn. Remember, you do not need to purchase these from a funeral home or the crematorium. 

Witnessing
Although it is certainly not a requirement, sometimes friends and/or family want to witness the cremation of their loved one. That said, the availability of this option varies: some cremation providers allow witnessing and others do not. If this is an important consideration for you and your family, make sure to make arrangements for it in advance. You may also wish to tour the facility and view the cremation chamber (also known as a retort) before making your choice. 

Some crematoriums are factory-like areas with nowhere for family members to sit, while others are much more pleasant, with inviting decor and comfortable chairs. 

If you choose to witness your loved one’s body being placed in the cremation retort, the process will take about 30 minutes from beginning to end. If you choose to witness the entire cremation, it will take about two hours. It will generally be several more hours before your loved one’s ashes are ready for you to take home. 

Cremation Pricing
Cremation is usually considerably more cost-effective than most forms of burial. A standard cremation, including the purchase of an urn, witnessing and a ceremony, usually costs about $2,500 to $4,000 depending on where you live. That’s a fraction of the cost of a typical funeral and burial, which can be as much as  $7,400 to $10,000 and up. A direct cremation can be even more cost-effective, at a cost of about $1,000 to $3,600 in many parts of the U.S. That said, if you use a funeral home for any part of the process, you will need to pay its basic services fee, which can range from $1,500 to $3,500 and sometimes more. 

Of course, prices will vary within all of these options, depending on the provider you choose. It’s always a good idea to compare prices from several providers before making a choice. 

Cremation Products
There are no laws in the United States that require a casket for cremation. However, many crematoriums require some kind of container, but this can be as simple as a cardboard box. Be sure to inquire what each crematorium you visit requires in advance. 

Note: If you are holding a viewing at a funeral home before the cremation, the facility will generally make a rental casket available to you.

If you prefer a casket, look for cremation-specific or biodegradable caskets made from woven wicker, sustainable wood or organic twined grasses. An inexpensive cardboard casket is another good alternative and can even be decorated by family and friends. Avoid styrofoam or fiberglass, since both of these release highly toxic compounds when they are burned. 

When preparing the body for burial, choose natural fiber clothing or a natural fiber burial shroud. Avoid plastic buttons or metal zippers if at all possible.

Documentation
As you plan for the disposition of your loved one’s remains, you or your funeral services provider will need to obtain several forms before final disposition can proceed. Typically, these will be managed by the funeral service provider or crematorium. However, if you plan to handle any part of the funeral or burial yourself, you should be aware of what they are. Because laws can vary considerably, even within the same state, you may wish to enlist the help of a [home funeral consultant] to ensure that you have all the forms you need and they are properly filled out. 

1. Burial Transit Permit

2. Cremation Permit

3. Death Certificate

4. Disposition Permit/Burial Permit

5. Declaration of Disposition of Cremated Remains

This form will be provided to you by a crematorium or funeral home when you pick up your loved one’s ashes. It indicates to whom the person’s ashes were released and what that person (or persons) intends to do with them. (for instance, bury in a cemetery, inter in a columbarium, or store them at home.).

Storing or Scattering Your Loved One’s Ashes
After your loved one’s cremation is complete, the ashes will be returned to you, typically in a plastic container or a cardboard box. You may wish to store these in a permanent container somewhere in your home or divide them among relatives in individual keepsake urns. Keepsake jewelry is also available if you and other family members want to divide the ashes among yourselves. Remember, too, that you do not have to buy the permanent container or containers from the crematorium or the funeral home. Many attractive, reasonably priced urns of all shapes and sizes are available online. 

Another option for storing the ashes is to have them interred in a columbarium — an indoor or outdoor wall with niches specifically designed to hold urns. Columbariums are usually located in traditional cemeteries, and each niche costs between $1,200 and $5,000 if purchased in advance. The cost can be 25 percent higher if you purchase a niche after someone dies. 

If you choose not to store your loved one’s ashes, you may scatter them, bury them, or bury them at sea. If you choose to bury the ashes, we strongly advise that you use a biodegradable urn that will break down safely over time. Many people place the ashes in a family plot or somewhere on their property that held special significance for the person who died. If you choose to bury the ashes in a cemetery where you do not own a plot, you will need to purchase one. Depending on the cemetery, this can cost anywhere from about $350 to $2,500.  

Choose a dissolvable, biodegradable urn if you wish to bury your loved one’s ashes at sea. These urns will dissolve very quickly, leaving your loved one’s ashes to float on the surface until they are carried away by the tides. If you do not have a dissolvable urn, remove the ashes from the urn before scattering them so that the container doesn’t return to the shore with the tide. Per the federal Clean Water Act, you must scatter the ashes at a location that’s at least 3 nautical miles from land. 

Scattering a loved one’s ashes on land is yet another option that many families choose. Scattering ashes on your own land is legal in all 50 states. Scattering is generally prohibited on publicly owned lands and in lakes and streams. If you wish to scatter your loved one’s ashes on private land that you do not own, you must get the written consent of the landowner first. 

Many cemeteries also offer scattering gardens — designated places where you can scatter your loved one’s ashes without having to purchase a niche or a plot. These are often communal spaces, but some cemeteries offer individual gardens set off by a wall or monument engraved with the name of the person whose remains are scattered there. 

Scattering ashes by air is also an option in many parts of the U.S. The Federal Aviation Authority has no regulations prohibiting the practice, but scattering ashes from a moving airplane can be quite a bit trickier than it seems. For that reason, it’s wise to contract with someone familiar with the technique rather than try to hire a pilot and do it yourself.

C. Choosing Conventional Burial 

Although cremation has become the preferred form of final disposition in the U.S. and Canada, many North Americans still choose to be buried in a traditional cemetery. The reasons for this are varied. In many cases, a person wishes to be buried in a family plot alongside loved ones, or they may wish to follow the traditions of their religion or culture. Whatever your reasons for choosing this option, you typically have two choices:

• Interment in the ground – In a conventional cemetery, the body is placed about 6 feet underground. You will need to purchase a burial plot as well as a concrete vault, which encases the casket, or concrete liner, which only covers the top and the sides, allowing the bottom of the casket to be in contact with the ground. 
• Entombment in a mausoleum- A mausoleum is an above-ground, freestanding  structure divided into individual crypts that  hold a single person’s remains. Some  cemeteries also offer companion crypts, which hold the remains of two people laid end-to-end (spouses often choose this option.) Many mausoleums also contain columbaria — niches that hold cremated ashes. 

If you are thinking of entombment versus burial, there are several types of mausoleums from which to choose: 

• Family mausoleums — These are private mausoleums with numerous crypts, built to hold the remains of an entire family and, often, extended family
• Public mausoleums — Also called community mausoleums, these are typically large spaces with up to several thousand crypts. They generally offer a cost-sharing benefit not afforded by private mausoleums, which can be prohibitively expensive. As a general rule, crypts are marked with a plaque bearing the person’s name, faith, and dates of birth and death. Some mausoleums also have areas where families can lay flowers or sit and visit with their loved one who died. 
• Sarcophagus mausoleums-These types of mausoleums are half underground and half above ground. They hail back to ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece, where wealthy leaders were buried in concrete coffins known as sarcophagi. As a rule, the body is buried in an underground vault with the concrete sarcophagus displayed above.  
• Garden mausoleums — These are not strictly mausoleums, in that they are outside and typically not enclosed. However, because they are open areas they are usually more affordable than a closed mausoleum, which needs to be climate controlled. Most garden mausoleums contain very few crypts and are more suited to displaying urns and keepsakes. 

Pricing of Burial or Entombment
The price of a conventional North American funeral with a viewing and burial is increasing every year. According to the National Home Funeral Directors Association, in 2021, the median cost of a “full service” funeral in the U.S. was $7,848 ($9,995 with a burial vault, which is required in most traditional cemeteries.) This estimate includes the following:

Keep in mind, however, that the above estimate includes many services that are 100% optional. For example, no state in the U.S. requires embalming, and you may hold a viewing and funeral service in a church, synagogue, mosque, or private home. What’s more, a metal casket is quite a bit more expensive than a similar casket made of more environmentally friendly materials, such as wicker, pine or bamboo. You can typically find these at a casket retailer or an online vendor at a far more affordable price than a funeral home will offer, so shop around! You are not required to buy a casket from the funeral home.

It’s important to note that the above costs do not include many of the costs associated with the burial itself. According to recent estimates from Lincoln Heritage, the cost of a single burial plot in a private cemetery in the U.S. ranges from $2,000 to $5,000, and may be as high as $25,000 and up in large urban areas. (Double-depth companion plots are typically double this amount.) The price for a crypt in a public, outdoor mausoleum is similar, while a private, two-crypt family mausoleum may cost as much as $50,000 to $125,000. Interment  (burial) or entombment will add about $350 to $3,000 to the cost, depending on whether you choose a private or public cemetery.

It’s important to keep in mind, however, that prices vary a great deal between providers, even those in the same general vicinity. Use our handy Choosing Funeral Arrangements and Disposition checklist to narrow down your choices, then compare prices using the Sevenponds Pricing for Disposition Checklist  Keep in mind, too, that a cemetery broker may be able to help you locate a suitable option at a more affordable price. 

D. Choosing Natural Burial

In recent years, there has been a growing movement toward green or natural burial, a form of final disposition that has minimal impact on the environment compared to traditional burial or cremation. When you choose this option, you or your loved one will be interred in either a natural burial ground or a hybrid burial ground, the latter of which offers both traditional and natural burial on different sites.

At present, there are about 150 natural or hybrid burial grounds in the United States, and that number is increasing all the time. If you are interested in learning more about this option, see this interactive web pageor contact the Green Burial Council at 1 (888) 966-3330.

The goal of green burial is to allow the body to decompose naturally and return to the earth. Thus, natural burial grounds prohibit the use of embalming fluid, which contains toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde and methanol. If your family wishes to have a viewing or visitation, your loved one’s body can be preserved with dry ice or nontoxic alternatives to traditional embalming fluid. 

Additionally, most natural burial grounds (and all certified by the Green Burial Council) allow only biodegradable burial containers and shrouds. They prohibit concrete grave liners or vaults and discourage the use of nonnative plants and stones. That means there are no manicured lawns, carefully groomed landscaping or headstones. In most cases, graves are marked by a simple natural monument, such as rocks or a plant. However, some natural burial grounds prohibit even simple grave markers and provide GPS coordinates of the burial site instead. 

If you choose a natural burial for yourself or your loved one, their body will be buried at a depth of 3.5 feet versus the 6-foot depth of a traditional grave. They may be buried in a shroud or a casket made of plant-derived materials, such as wicker, grass or soft wood. Some natural burial grounds allow the use of a hearse to transport the body to the gravesite, while others will provide a non-gasoline-powered bier. As an alternative, you and your loved ones may wish to carry your loved one to the burial site on a shrouding board, which can be purchased from an online retailer.

Natural Burial on Private Property
If you are interested in burying your loved one on private property, you may or may not be able to do so legally, depending on where you live. That’s because, while the federal government doesn’t regulate home burials, many states do. In California, Indiana, Louisiana and Washington, for example, burials are permitted only in an established cemetery, although you do have the ability to apply for a special permit.  In Alabama, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, and New York, you may be able to bury your loved one on your own property, but you must hire a funeral director to oversee the process and ensure that you comply with local laws. Other states allow private home burials, but local ordinances may limit the conditions under which you can bury a person on privately owned land. Because of these complexities, it’s usually necessary to plan for a home burial far in advance. You may also wish to hire a home funeral consultant to help you navigate state and local laws. 

Keep in mind, too, that having one or more people buried on your property may impact its resale value should you ever decide to move. (In most states, you need to disclose this to prospective buyers.)What’s more, if you do move, family and friends may one day be unable to visit the grave. However, you may be able to negotiate an easement with your buyer to allow visitation in the future.   

Natural or Green Burial Pricing
The cost of natural burial generally falls somewhere between the cost of cremation and a traditional burial with embalming, a metal casket and a burial vault. An immediate or direct burial will be the most cost-effective option, generally costing somewhere between $2,000 and $5,500 including the burial plot and associated fees for interment and opening and closing the plot. Cost savings can also be realized by choosing a simple burial shroud (about $200 to $500) rather than a wood or wicker casket (about $900 to $2,700) and having a simple home funeral rather than a visitation at a funeral home. 

For help with locating a natural burial ground or any other questions, contact The Green Burial Council, a natural burial accreditation group headquartered in Placerville, California. A two-tiered nonprofit, the GBC certifies businesses, products and burial sites for their environmental soundness and maintains a national database of certified providers. Since its inception in 2005, the GBC has certified over 150 cemeteries, 215 funeral homes and  11 product providers. To inquire about a green burial or find a provider near you, use this interactive web page or contact the GBC headquarters at 1 (888) 966-3330.

E. Choosing Alternatives to Burial and Cremation

In addition to cremation and natural burial, there are several novel options that you may wish to explore. We discuss these options in detail in the section “Little Known Alternatives to Burial and Cremation.” But here is a brief explanation of what’s available now and what’s to come. 

1. Burial at Sea
Many people share a connection to the ocean, and a burial at sea can be a majestic and healing choice. Burial at sea is legal in all coastal states, as long as it is performed at least 3 miles from shore and in water at least 600 feet deep. A special shroud or weighted casket designed for sea burial must be used, as the EPA requires that the body sink to the seafloor for final resting. In most cases, friends and family may be present for the burial and may hold a service on the ship. There is, however, usually an extra fee for this. Additionally, the EPA requires that a funeral director deliver the body to the point of embarkation and remains present throughout the trip. 

If your loved one was an active duty service member, reservist, or an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. armed services, you can arrange sea burial through the U.S. Navy. However, loved ones and family members will not be allowed  to be present for the burial, and you will need to arrange transportation of the body to the point of embarkation by a funeral home. Points of embarkation as of this writing are:

• Norfolk, Virginia 
• San Diego, California 
• Jacksonville, Florida 
• Bremerton, Washington
• Honolulu, Hawaii

Contact the Navy and Marine Corps Mortuary Affairs office at 1-866-787-0081 to request a packet and additional information as soon as possible after the death You will need to submit:

• A photocopy of the death certificate
• The burial transit permit or the cremation certificate
• A copy of the DD Form 214, discharge certificate, or retirement order. 

Cost of Private Sea Burial
According to Captain Brad White of New England Burials at Sea, the approximate cost of a private sea burial as of 2026 are:

• Unattended Full Body Burials — $9,975**
• Attended Full Body Burials — $10,975**
• Full body shroud — $2,795**
• Full body shroud in military colors — $2,675
• Oversized body shroud — $2,875
• 150 pounds ballast weights –$390 ( a lower cost option is available for $375)

Please keep in mind that the cost estimates offered here apply only to New England Sea Burials, and do not include the services of a funeral director, which is mandated by the EPA. According to Captain White, this typically adds about $2,500 to $3,000 to the total cost of sea burial.

2. Alkaline Hydrolysis
Alkaline hydrolysis (also known as “resomation,” “biocremation” or “water cremation”) is a process that has been used to dispose of animal carcasses for many years, but has only recently been approved for the disposal of human remains. Instead of the flame used in cremation, resomation involves the use of a pressurized stainless steel chamber filled with heated water and an alkaline solution of potassium hydroxide. The solution dissolves the soft tissues of the body into a liquid about the consistency of motor oil, leaving only the bones. In most municipalities, the liquid, or effluent, is later processed in a water filtration facility located nearby. (Some facilities may return the effluent to the family of the deceased.) The bones are subsequently dried and broken into small pieces that can be scattered or placed in a funerary urn. 

At present, alkaline hydrolysis is legal for the disposal of pet remains in all 50 states and throughout Canada. However, only 20 U.S.states, Canada’s Northwest Territories, and the provinces of Ontario and Quebec have legalized the process for human remains (either through legislation or by broadening the definition of cremation). Of these, only a handful actually offer alkaline hydrolysis for humans as of 2025, these include:

• Florida
• Illinois
• Maine
• Minnesota
• Nevada
• North Carolina
• Oregon
  

See Nolo’s webpage on Alkaline Hydrolysis for or a full listing of state-by-state laws and current availability.

Keep in mind, too, that you may be able to use an out-of-state provider, but you will need to work with a funeral director if you are transporting the body by a common carrier (plane or rail). You can also transport the body yourself if you so desire. Read our interview with Jim Bates of the Funeral Consumers Alliance of North Texas to learn more about this surprisingly simple option. 

Alkaline Hydrolysis Cost
Because it is a relatively new technology and the cost of purchasing an alkaline hydrolysis machine is quite high, pricing for biocremation can vary a great deal. For example, as of 2025:

•  The Natural Funeral in Lafayette, Colorado, quotes a price of $5,900 for direct alkaline hydrolysis as of 2025, which includes the basic services fee and the return of the loved one’s ashes and essence and a simple biodegradable urn.
•  Bradshaw Funeral Homes in Minneapolis, Minnesota, charges between $3,395 for a simple direct alkaline hydrolysis and $4,995 for alkaline hydrolysis plus a memorial ceremony.

3. Cryonic preservation
Cryonic preservation is the low-temperature preservation of human bodies with the goal of resuscitating them at a later time. Although the process continues to evolve, the basic premise is that immediately after death, a body is infused with a substance that prevents the formation of ice crystals and preserves the tissues in their current form. Then, the body is frozen in a container of  liquid nitrogen, where it can be stored until an as yet unknown means is available to bring the person back to life. 

Cryonic preservation is currently available from two companies in the United States, Alcor Life Extension Foundation and Cryonics Institute. The process of preserving and storing the body is fairly expensive, although the cost can be reduced substantially by choosing “neurosuspension” which is the preservation of only the head. This option presumes that some time in the future there will be a way to recreate a body, either using nanotechnology or some other means. 

Cost of Cryonics
Alcor Life Extension Foundation and Cryonics Institute offer somewhat different pricing models and membership fees. At Alcor, whole body cryopreservation requires an insurance policy of at least $220,000, which can be purchased from a licensed insurance agent at a cost of between $50-75 per month. (Alcor does not sell the policies.) If you choose neuro-cryopreservation or neurosuspension, the cost must be guaranteed by a policy with a benefit of at least $80,000. Since the cost of cryonics will undoubtedly go up  over time, a policy that offers a benefit that increases with inflation is a good idea. Alcor also charges a membership fee of $50 per month. 

Alcor’s pricing model includes the following benefits:

• A standby team that is dispatched to the bedside shortly before death
• Cryopreservation 
• Long term care
• Revival when the process is available
  

Cryonics Institute, on the other hand, offers a lifetime membership for $1,250 plus an additional one-time cost of $28,000 for cryopreservation. Alternatively, you may choose a monthly membership for $120 per month, with an additional one-time $35,000 cryopreservation fee. 

Notably, Cryonics Institute does not provide stand-by services. You may contract separately with Suspended Animation, a company that provides transportation and stabilization services prior to the body being cryopreserved. A lifetime membership with Suspended Animation is $126,000.

As is the case with Alcor, most Cryonics Institute clients fund their cryopreservation through an insurance policy with the Cryonics Institute as beneficiary. Payment can also be made in cash upfront. Financing is not available. 

To learn more about cryonics and further explore funding options and costs, see our section on Cryonics or directly contact the provider of your choice. 

Cryonics Institute: 1 (866) 288-2796 (North America)

Alcor Life Extension Foundation: 1 (877) 462-5267

4. Funeral Pyre or Open-Air Cremation
There are a handful of pyres around the country that cater to specific communities. Most are private and are accessible to you only through Buddhist monasteries or other organizations. The most well-known of these is in Crestone, Colorado, where the nonprofit Crestone End-of-Life Project has established a permanent funeral pyre in the sweeping open-air surrounds of the Rocky Mountains. Sadly, the pyre is only available to residents of the Crestone area. 

5. Natural Organic Reduction
Natural Organic Reduction is a new technology developed by Katrina Spade of the public benefit corporation Recompose. Recently approved by the Washington and Colorado state legislatures,  the process accelerates the process of decomposition and turns human remains into nutrient-rich soil in about 30 days. Each person’s body produces about 1 cubic yard of soil, which can be taken home by the family or donated to Bell’s Mountain, a 700-acre land trust in southern Washington, where the soil is helping to rehabilitate land damaged by decades of abuse.

At present, a natural organic reduction is available on a limited basis at Recompse’s facility located south of Seattle. The cost is $5,500, which includes the natural organic reduction process and, for clients living in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties, transportation to the facility. Recompose will also transport your loved one from any location within Washington state for an additional fee. Out of state clients must arrange their own transportation, typically through a licensed funeral home. The Recompose staff can help facilitate this. 

For additional information or to learn about availability, call Recompose at 1 (206) 800-8733. 

6. Donating a Body to Science
Donating a whole body for scientific research is a noble goal, but it can be difficult to arrange after a person dies. Most programs are managed by medical schools, which require advance registration and may or may not be able to accept the body after death. With that being said, there are nonprofit organ procurement organizations in the U.S. that will work with families who wish to donate organs or tissue after a person dies. Many privately-owned companies procure bodies for scientific research that accept donations after death. 

If you are interested in donating your body to science, you may wish to contact a medical school in your area to learn about their Willed Body Program and determine if you qualify. See this list of programs provided by the Anatomical Board of the State of Florida to find a medical school near you. 

If your loved one has died or is currently dying, and you wish to donate tissue or organs, you may contact the Organ Procurement Organization in your area. A list of OPif O’s is available on this web page from the U.S. Health Resources Services Administration. You should also be aware that if you or your loved one dies in a hospital, the hospital will notify the local Organ Procurement Organization, who will contact the next of kin to discuss donation options. However, you are free to initiate these discussions as well. 

If you choose not to donate through a  medical school or OPO, or for some reason these options aren’t open to you, you may work with a private company that accepts body donations and provides tissue to various organizations for research purposes. Known as non-transplant anatomical donation organizations or NADOs, these companies are regulated by state law, but regulatory oversight is somewhat lax. To ensure that the company you choose upholds the highest professional standards, you may wish to choose a company that’s accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks, a nonprofit that works to ensure the quality and safety of donated human tissue. You can find a list of accredited NADOs here.   

In all of the above scenarios, there is no cost to the donor or their family, and the cost of final disposition is covered by the organization that accepts the body. Disposition is typically accomplished through either fire-based cremation or alkaline hydrolysis. In some cases, the ashes may be returned to the family, but in many instances, they are buried in a common grave or scattered at sea. Make sure to discuss final disposition with the provider you choose if receiving all or a portion of your loved one’s ashes is important to you.