What Is a Cremation Casket (Cremation Casket vs Funeral Casket)

For many families, the decision for cremation feels like it should simplify things—until someone asks, “What kind of casket will you be using?” If you’re grieving, that question can sound like a contradiction. In reality, it’s usually a practical check: will there be a viewing or service with the body present before cremation, or are you choosing a direct cremation with no visitation?

This article explains what a cremation casket is, how it differs from a funeral (burial) casket, and how that first choice connects to the decisions that often come next as part of funeral planning: cremation urns, pet urns, cremation jewelry, and the quiet logistics of keeping ashes at home while your family finds its footing.

Why “cremation casket” is now a common phrase

Cremation is now the majority choice in many parts of the U.S., and national projections show that trend continuing. The National Funeral Directors Association projects a 63.4% U.S. cremation rate for 2025 and 82.3% by 2045. The Cremation Association of North America reports a 61.8% U.S. cremation rate for 2024. As cremation becomes more common, more families want cremation without giving up familiar rituals like a visitation or a service with the body present.

That is the real reason cremation caskets exist: not because cremation requires an expensive casket, but because some families want a traditional-looking service before the cremation.

Cremation casket vs funeral casket

A cremation casket is a casket designed to be cremated. It is typically made from combustible materials (often wood-based) and may be finished well enough for a visitation or ceremony. A funeral casket—what many people mean by a “burial casket”—may be metal or premium hardwood and is usually intended for burial or entombment rather than cremation.

The right choice depends less on the word “casket” and more on your service plan. Most families land in one of these paths:

• Direct cremation with no viewing: usually uses an alternative container.
• Cremation with a viewing or funeral: may use a cremation casket or a rental casket.
• Burial after a funeral: uses a funeral casket and cemetery requirements may also apply.

What an alternative container is (and what the law requires)

If you are choosing direct cremation, a casket is generally not required. The Federal Trade Commission explains that no state or local law requires a casket for cremation, and that providers offering direct cremation must make an “alternative container” available. In plain terms, an alternative container is a simple, rigid, combustible enclosure—often fiberboard or unfinished wood—used to safely care for and transport the person before and during the cremation process.

If you want a clearer “required vs optional” distinction, Funeral.com’s explainer The Difference Between a Cremation Container and an Urn breaks the terminology into two simple phases: the container used for the cremation itself, and the urn you choose afterward.

Rental caskets: a middle path for viewings

Some families want a viewing but do not want to purchase a casket that will not be buried. In those cases, a rental casket may be an option: the casket you see at the service is used for the ceremony, and then the person is cremated using a separate insert or container. If this might fit your family, What Is a Rental Casket? explains how rentals typically work and what to ask so you understand the process and pricing before you agree to anything.

How much does cremation cost, and where a casket fits in

When families ask how much does cremation cost, the answer is rarely just “the cremation.” The biggest price differences usually come from the level of service: viewing, facilities, staff, vehicles, and ceremony details. The National Funeral Directors Association reports national median costs (2023) of $8,300 for a funeral with viewing and burial and $6,280 for a funeral with viewing and cremation. Those are medians—your local prices may differ—but the comparison helps families see why a casket question is often really a service question.

If you want a calm walk-through of typical line items and ways to compare providers, Funeral.com’s guide How Much Does Cremation Cost? is designed for real families who are trying to make decisions without pressure. And if you ever feel pushed into a purchase, remember that the FTC Funeral Rule is built around transparency and consumer choice, including the requirement to offer an alternative container for direct cremation.

After cremation: urns, keepsakes, and jewelry that fit your plan

After cremation, many families discover that the hardest part is not choosing an urn—it is choosing a direction. Will the ashes stay at home? Will there be scattering later? Will siblings want to share? The question what to do with ashes is both practical and deeply personal. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, among people who prefer cremation, 37.1% would prefer their cremated remains kept in an urn at home, and 33.5% would prefer scattering in a sentimental place. In other words: it’s common to keep, to scatter, or to do some of both.

For ideas, see What to Do With Cremation Ashes.

If you are ready to browse, Funeral.com’s cremation urns for ashes collection is a broad starting point. If your home has limited display space or you are dividing ashes, small cremation urns can hold a meaningful portion without feeling like a compromise. And when several relatives want a symbolic amount, keepsake urns are designed specifically for sharing.

For families who want a memorial that is worn rather than displayed, cremation jewelry can be the right “small piece, close by” option. Funeral.com’s cremation necklaces and broader cremation jewelry collections can help you compare styles, while Cremation Jewelry 101 answers the practical questions families worry about—capacity, closures, and filling tips.

If you want guidance before purchasing, How to Choose a Cremation Urn is a useful companion because it starts with placement (home, niche, burial, scattering) and works backward to material and size.

Pet urns, pet keepsakes, and memorial options

When a pet dies, the grief can be profound—and it deserves the same gentleness families offer each other. If you are looking for pet urns for ashes, Funeral.com’s pet cremation urns collection includes both traditional styles and more personalized memorials. Some families prefer a figurine-style tribute that feels like their companion; in that case, pet figurine cremation urns for ashes can be a comforting match. If multiple people want a small portion, pet keepsake cremation urns for ashes can make sharing feel intentional and respectful.

For families who want a wearable option for a pet as well, pet cremation jewelry is available. The Journal guide Pet Keepsake Urns and Small Pet Memorials also offers practical ideas for sharing, photos, and small keepsakes without turning grief into a shopping list.

Keeping ashes at home and planning a water burial

Many families choose keeping ashes at home for a season because it allows time to decide without rushing. If you want practical storage and safety considerations (placement, stability, and spill prevention), Keeping Ashes at Home: A Practical Safety Guide is designed for everyday realities. For the “is this allowed?” question, Is It Legal to Keep Cremation Ashes at Home? explains common rules and best practices families ask about.

If your plan includes water burial or burial at sea, it helps to understand the federal baseline. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency explains that cremated remains may be buried at sea as long as the burial occurs at least three nautical miles from land, and that the EPA must be notified within 30 days. Funeral.com’s guide Water Burial and Burial at Sea translates those requirements into real planning details families can actually use.