Funeral & cremation costs in New Jersey
Funeral and cremation prices in New Jersey run about 20% above the national median. Here's what each option typically costs — itemized, and with the charges you can legally decline flagged.
Direct cremation
$1,345 – $2,510
Typical $1,875. Cremation with no ceremony beforehand — the simplest, lowest-cost option. Ashes are returned to the family.
Cremation with a service
$6,255 – $11,645
Typical $8,690. A viewing and/or ceremony, followed by cremation.
Traditional burial
$10,850 – $20,200
Typical $15,070. Embalming, viewing, ceremony, casket, and a cemetery plot.
Green (natural) burial
$6,860 – $12,780
Typical $9,540. No embalming or vault; a biodegradable container in a natural or conservation cemetery.
Direct cremation in New Jersey, itemized
| Item | Decline? | Typical |
|---|---|---|
| Basic services of the funeral director & staffNon-declinable — every funeral home charges a version of this. | Standard | $965 |
| Transfer of remains to the funeral home | Standard | $350 |
| Cremation feePaid to the crematory. | Standard | $310 |
| Alternative cremation container | Standard | $130 |
| Urn | Optional | $120 |
| Typical total | $1,875 |
These direct-cremation figures are anchored to real prices we've collected in New Jersey — not just modeled. See the verified providers below.
Up to $120 of a typical direct cremation is optional — items a funeral home must let you decline.
Real prices we've collected in New Jersey
Actual direct-cremation prices range $1,395–$2,350 (median $1,873) across 2 sources we've verified.
- Polhemus Cremation ServicesVerified from provider
Toms River · collected 2026-07-06 · source
With purchaser-provided container; $1,695 with cardboard container.
$1,395direct cremation - Bermingham Funeral HomeVerified from provider
Wharton · collected 2026-07-06 · source
Immediate burial $3,765.
$2,350direct 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.
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Cremation with no ceremony beforehand — the simplest, lowest-cost option. Ashes are returned to the family.
Typical direct cremation in New Jersey
$1,345 – $2,510
Most families pay around $1,875.
Where the money goes
- Basic services of the funeral director & staffStandard
Non-declinable — every funeral home charges a version of this.
$965$695–$1,295 - Transfer of remains to the funeral homeStandard$350$250–$465
- Cremation feeStandard
Paid to the crematory.
$310$220–$415 - Alternative cremation containerStandard$130$95–$175
- UrnOptional$120$85–$160
About $120 of a typical direct cremation is optional — items a funeral home must let you decline. Knowing which is how families avoid overpaying. Get the questions to ask →
Modeled from published price data. How we estimate
Cremation costs by city in New Jersey
Common questions about funeral costs in New Jersey
- How much does cremation cost in New Jersey?
- In New Jersey, a direct cremation typically runs about $1,875 (roughly $1,345–$2,510), while a cremation with a service is closer to $8,690. 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 New Jersey?
- A traditional burial in New Jersey typically totals around $15,070 (about $10,850–$20,200) 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 New Jersey?
- Yes. In New Jersey, direct cremation (around $1,875) costs a small fraction of a traditional burial (around $15,070) — a difference of roughly $13,195. Cremation skips the casket, burial vault, and cemetery plot that make burial expensive.
- What is the cheapest cremation option in New Jersey?
- Direct cremation, at about $1,875 in New Jersey. 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 New Jersey 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.