Losing a loved one is never easy, and making decisions about cremation in Hawaii can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re trying to balance emotions, family needs, and practical details across the islands. This guide explains how cremation typically works in Hawaiʻi, what it can cost, what rules commonly apply, and how to compare providers with confidence. It’s written in plain language for families and caregivers, and it’s informational only (not legal advice).

Cremation Overview in Hawaii

Cremation in Hawaii is widely chosen across Oʻahu and the neighbor islands, and it can be paired with almost any kind of service—quiet and simple, traditional and faith-based, or deeply personal and outdoors. In many cases, the provider (funeral home or mortuary) handles the logistics: bringing your loved one into their care, completing required paperwork, coordinating with the crematory, and returning the cremated remains (often called “ashes” or “cremains”).

Families in Hawaiʻi often plan with extra considerations that are less common on the mainland, such as inter-island transportation, coordinating travel for relatives, and selecting a meaningful final resting option—like a columbarium niche, family property (with permission), or an ocean ceremony.

If you’re also thinking ahead to memorial choices, cremation urns, keepsakes, and jewelry can help families honor a loved one in ways that feel close and personal. If you’re unsure what size urn you need, Funeral.com’s cremation urn size chart is a practical starting point.

Average Cremation Costs in Hawaii

Cremation costs in Hawaiʻi can vary widely based on island, transportation needs, the provider’s facilities, and how many services you add (viewing, ceremony, printed materials, catering, musicians, clergy, etc.). Costs can also vary by body size and required equipment, and they change over time. The ranges below are typical, real-world planning ranges for many families.

A helpful statewide snapshot is the Kōkua Mau “Funeral, Cremation and Burial Costs for Hawaiʻi” report (as of February 2025), which compiles pricing examples from multiple Hawaiʻi providers and islands. Use it as a comparison tool—not as a guaranteed price sheet—because every provider’s total will depend on your exact needs. (Always request the provider’s General Price List.)

Direct cremation (no visitation or ceremony)

Direct cremation is the simplest option: no viewing, no formal service at the funeral home, and the cremated remains are returned to the family. In Hawaiʻi, many families choose this when they want to hold a memorial later (often after travel plans are easier).

• Typical range: about $1,100–$3,300
• Higher-end scenarios: $3,300–$8,400+ when you add complex transportation, extended care/refrigeration, or other required items

Cremation followed by a memorial service

This option includes cremation first, then a gathering later—at a church, a beach pavilion (where permitted), a family home, or a funeral home chapel. The service often features an urn, photos, music, and time for family to share stories.

• Typical range: about $2,800–$6,500
• What drives cost: facility rental, staffing, audio/visual, printed programs, flowers, and whether the provider coordinates the memorial

Cremation with visitation/viewing

This option includes a viewing/visitation before cremation, usually at a funeral home. It often involves preparation of the body, use of a viewing room, staff time, and sometimes a rented casket.

• Typical range: about $4,000–$9,000+
• What drives cost: embalming or other preparation, facility time, staffing, rental casket, and a more traditional service structure

Consumer tip: In the U.S., funeral providers must provide itemized prices and required disclosures through a General Price List (GPL) under the FTC’s Funeral Rule. You can learn more in the FTC’s guidance on Complying with the Funeral Rule.

Cremation Laws and Legal Requirements in Hawaii

Hawaiʻi has rules around death registration, permits for disposition/transport, and public health requirements for handling remains. Providers generally manage these steps, but it helps to understand the basics.

Death certificate and required paperwork

In most cases, the funeral home or mortuary coordinates the death certificate process with medical certifiers and the state’s vital records system. For general guidance and services, see the Hawaiʻi Department of Health Vital Records page.

Burial-transit permit (often required for disposition/transport)

Hawaiʻi’s Department of Health rules address approvals for transporting and disposing of remains, including the use of a burial-transit permit. See the Department of Health administrative rules document Title 11, Chapter 22 (Department of Health, Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules) for the regulatory framework.

Time, refrigeration, and care of the body

Public health rules may require timely disposition (burial or cremation) or appropriate care such as refrigeration depending on circumstances. Your provider will explain what is required in your case. (For the overall rules governing handling and transport of human remains, reference the Department of Health rules linked above.)

Scattering ashes and aftercare: oceans, parks, and public lands

There is no single “one-size-fits-all” rule for scattering, because the requirements depend on where you’re scattering.

• Ocean scattering / burial at sea: Federal rules apply. The EPA’s guidance on Burial at Sea explains the general permit conditions, including the common “at least 3 nautical miles from shore” requirement and other restrictions. After an ocean ceremony, families (or a provider) typically report the event using the EPA’s Burial at Sea Reporting System.
• National parks: Many national parks require a permit for ash scattering. For Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, the NPS notes that ash scattering requires a special use application. See Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Special Use Permits.
• Hawaiʻi State Parks: Ceremonies or special activities may require permits in state parks. The DLNR Division of State Parks provides State Parks Permit Information, and the Hawaiʻi District application is available here: Hawaiʻi District Special Use Permit Application (fillable PDF).

Licensing and oversight

In Hawaiʻi, licensing and regulatory information for certain funeral and related programs is available through the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional & Vocational Licensing Division. A starting point for official information is the DCCA PVL website. When comparing cremation providers, it’s reasonable to ask about licensing, ownership, and where the cremation will be performed.

Shipping ashes (inter-island or mainland)

Families sometimes ship cremated remains to relatives or for final placement in another state. USPS periodically updates packaging and shipping requirements; see USPS guidance on new rules for shipping cremated remains. Your cremation provider can also help coordinate safe shipment.

Types of Cremation and Service Options in Hawaii

Most families choose one of these paths, then personalize it based on culture, faith, and location:

• Direct cremation with ashes returned (often followed by a later gathering)
• Cremation with memorial service (after cremation), held at a home, church, beachside venue (where permitted), or funeral home
• Cremation with visitation/viewing before cremation
• Traditional funeral first, then cremation (for families who want a customary service with the body present)
• Water ceremony / ocean memorial (commonly arranged with a licensed provider or charter service; follow EPA rules)
• Columbarium niche or cemetery placement (common for long-term family access and a dedicated place to visit)

When it comes to memorial items, families often choose one main urn plus smaller keepsakes. Funeral.com’s keepsake cremation urns can be useful if relatives want to share a small portion. Others prefer a wearable tribute—see the cremation jewelry collection for options designed to hold a tiny amount of ashes.

Cultural Norms and Local Practices Around Cremation in Hawaii

Hawaiʻi is deeply diverse, and end-of-life customs vary across Native Hawaiian, Japanese, Filipino, Chinese, Samoan, Tongan, Micronesian, Portuguese, and many other communities—along with many faith traditions. Still, a few themes are common:

• Community presence matters: Even when families choose direct cremation, they may plan a later gathering so relatives can travel and pay respects.
• Lei, music, and storytelling are common: Families often include lei draping, Hawaiian music, or shared memories as part of a memorial.
• Ocean connections: For many families, the ocean is meaningful. “Paddle-out” style tributes, canoe clubs, and beachside remembrance may be part of the plan (while still following permits and environmental rules).
• Respect for place and ancestry: Hawaiʻi has culturally sensitive areas and traditional practices tied to land (“ʻāina”). If you’re considering scattering or a ceremony in a special location, consider consulting family elders and requesting permission where needed.

If your family includes multiple traditions, you can still create a service that honors everyone: a short prayer or pule, time for quiet reflection, and a simple program that welcomes different ways of grieving.

How to Choose a Cremation Provider in Hawaii

Choosing a provider is both practical and personal. Here are factors that tend to matter most in cremation in Hawaii:

Ask where the cremation will actually take place

Some funeral homes operate their own crematory; others partner with a third-party crematory. Either can be appropriate, but you deserve clarity. Ask whether your loved one will be transported off-island, and how identification is maintained throughout custody of care.

Request an itemized General Price List

Comparing “packages” can be confusing. A GPL helps you see line-by-line pricing so you can choose only what you want. The FTC explains consumer transparency requirements in Complying with the Funeral Rule.

Clarify what’s included in the quote

For apples-to-apples comparisons, ask whether the quote includes transportation, permits, the cremation container, staff time, and return of the ashes. Also ask about added fees that can apply in Hawaiʻi, such as inter-island transfers or extended care.

Understand timelines

Timelines can vary based on required paperwork, scheduling at the crematory, holidays, and travel. If family is flying in, tell the provider your target dates early so they can advise what’s realistic.

Ask about ashes return options

Can you pick up the ashes in person? Can they ship (and what carrier requirements apply)? If shipping is needed, review USPS requirements like the USPS shipping rule update and ask the provider how they handle packaging and tracking.

Plan for the urn and final placement

Before buying an urn, consider where it will go: home display, travel, burial, columbarium niche, or scattering. A niche may require specific dimensions. Start with the Funeral.com urn size chart, then confirm any cemetery or columbarium size rules before purchasing.

Notable Cremation Providers in Hawaii

The providers below offer cremation in Hawaii and are listed as a starting point for research only. This is not a recommendation or endorsement. Availability, pricing, and services can change—contact providers directly and request current pricing and written details.

Provider contact details below are drawn from the statewide directory and cost compilation in the Kōkua Mau Funeral, Cremation and Burial Costs for Hawaiʻi report (Feb 2025).

• Ballard Family Moanalua Mortuary (Honolulu) — Offers funeral and direct cremation options, with planning support and memorial services. Website: ballardfamilymoanaluamortuary.com | Phone: (808) 833-8811
• Diamond Head Mortuary (Honolulu) — Provides cremation and funeral services, including memorial planning and grief resources. Website: diamondheadmortuary.net | Phone: (808) 379-3503
• Hosoi Garden Mortuary (Honolulu) — Offers cremation and funeral services with facility-based options for gatherings. Website: hosoi-mortuary.com | Phone: (808) 538-3877
• Mililani Mortuary & Cemetery (Honolulu area) — Provides cremation services plus cemetery and memorialization options. Website: mililanimemorial.com | Phone: (808) 677-5631
• Oʻahu Mortuary (Honolulu) — Offers cremation and funeral services, including options for memorial gatherings. Website: oahumortuary.com | Phone: (808) 538-1538
• Ballard Family Mortuary (Hilo) — Provides cremation and funeral services on Hawaiʻi Island, including transport coordination as needed. Website: ballardfamilymortuaries.com (Hilo) | Phone: 935-8445
• Ballard Family Mortuary (Kona) — Offers cremation services and support for families on the Kona side of Hawaiʻi Island. Website: ballardfamilymortuaries.com (Kona) | Phone: (808) 334-0009
• Homelani Memorial Park & Crematory (Hilo) — Cemetery and crematory services with options for memorialization. Website: homelanimemorialpark.com | Phone: (808) 657-3257
• Nakamura Mortuary & Maui Memorial Park (Wailuku) — Provides cremation services and memorial options on Maui. Website: nakamuramortuary.com | Phone: (808) 495-4308
• Doorway Into Light (Maui) — Offers funeral and cremation support with an emphasis on individualized, values-based choices. Website: doorwayintolight.org | Phone: (808) 575-7870

FAQs About Cremation in Hawaii

Important note: Laws, rules, and cremation costs change. Always verify details directly with cremation providers, local funeral homes, and official state or federal sources (such as the Hawaiʻi Department of Health, DLNR, the EPA, and the National Park Service) before making decisions.