Cremation & funeral costs in Des Moines
Funeral and cremation prices in Des Moines run about 10% below the national median. Here's what each option typically costs — itemized, and with the charges you can legally decline flagged.
We don't yet have provider-level pricing for Des Moines, so these figures reflect Iowa averages — directional, not a quote. Real local price data is on the roadmap.
Direct cremation
$670 – $1,270
Typical $940. Cremation with no ceremony beforehand — the simplest, lowest-cost option. Ashes are returned to the family.
Cremation with a service
$4,685 – $8,735
Typical $6,515. A viewing and/or ceremony, followed by cremation.
Traditional burial
$8,130 – $15,135
Typical $11,295. Embalming, viewing, ceremony, casket, and a cemetery plot.
Green (natural) burial
$5,155 – $9,580
Typical $7,155. No embalming or vault; a biodegradable container in a natural or conservation cemetery.
Direct cremation in Des Moines, itemized
| Item | Decline? | Typical |
|---|---|---|
| Basic services of the funeral director & staffNon-declinable — every funeral home charges a version of this. | Standard | $485 |
| Transfer of remains to the funeral home | Standard | $175 |
| Cremation feePaid to the crematory. | Standard | $155 |
| Alternative cremation container | Standard | $65 |
| Urn | Optional | $60 |
| Typical total | $940 |
These direct-cremation figures are anchored to real prices we've collected in Iowa — not just modeled. See the verified providers below.
Up to $60 of a typical direct cremation is optional — items a funeral home must let you decline.
Real prices we've collected in Iowa
Actual direct-cremation prices range $895–$995 (median $945) across 2 sources we've verified.
- Simplify Cremations & FuneralsVerified from provider
Des Moines · collected 2026-07-06 · source
$995 arranged online; $1,350 in person.
$995direct cremation - Des Moines CremationVerified from provider
Des Moines · collected 2026-07-06 · source
$895direct cremation
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Figures are modeled from published price data and regional cost indexes, and anchored to real prices where we've collected them — informational, not quotes from a specific provider. How we estimate.
Other cities in Iowa
Common questions about funeral costs in Des Moines
- How much does cremation cost in Des Moines?
- In Des Moines, a direct cremation typically runs about $940 (roughly $670–$1,270), while a cremation with a service is closer to $6,515. Direct cremation — the cremation with no service beforehand — is the lowest-cost option. These figures reflect area averages; individual providers vary, so it pays to compare a couple of itemized quotes.
- How much does a funeral cost in Des Moines?
- A traditional burial in Des Moines typically totals around $11,295 (about $8,130–$15,135) once you include the casket, vault, cemetery plot, and services. A funeral with cremation usually costs considerably less, and you're free to decline the items you don't want.
- Is cremation cheaper than burial in Des Moines?
- Yes. In Des Moines, direct cremation (around $940) costs a small fraction of a traditional burial (around $11,295) — a difference of roughly $10,355. Cremation skips the casket, burial vault, and cemetery plot that make burial expensive.
- What is the cheapest cremation option in Des Moines?
- Direct cremation, at about $940 in Des Moines. It's just the cremation with the ashes returned to the family — no embalming, viewing, or service beforehand — and you can hold a memorial later, on your own terms and budget.
- Do funeral homes in Des Moines have to tell me their prices?
- Yes. Under the federal FTC Funeral Rule, every funeral home must give you an itemized price list (a General Price List) and quote prices over the phone. You're never required to guess, and you can decline any item or package you don't want.