Do You Need a Casket for Cremation?
No — and a funeral home is legally required to tell you so. Here are your rights, the lower-cost alternatives, and how it works in New Mexico.
No — you do not need to buy a casket for cremation. Under the federal FTC Funeral Rule, a funeral home cannot require you to purchase a casket for direct cremation, and it must inform you that an inexpensive alternative container (typically cardboard or fiberboard) is available. If you want a viewing before the cremation, you can rent a casket instead of buying one.
A casket is one of the most expensive line items in a funeral, often running into the thousands. For cremation, it is almost never necessary. Knowing this one rule can save your family a great deal. Below: what an alternative container is, how rental caskets work, and your full rights under the law.
Verify current rules. The FTC Funeral Rule is federal and applies nationwide, but specific funeral-home and crematory policies can vary. This page reflects our understanding as of 2026-06-20. Always confirm current requirements with the provider and review their itemized price list.
What Is an Alternative Container?
The cremation process does generally require a rigid, fully combustible container to hold the body — but that container does not have to be a casket. An alternative container is a simple, sturdy box, usually made of heavy cardboard, fiberboard, or unfinished wood. It serves the practical purpose at a small fraction of a casket's price.
The FTC Funeral Rule specifically requires funeral homes to disclose that alternative containers are available and to list their prices. If a provider doesn't mention this, ask — it's your right to know.
With direct cremation, the alternative container is typically already included in the published price. See what's included in our cheapest way to be cremated in New Mexico guide.
Want a Viewing First? Consider a Rental Casket
Some families want a traditional viewing or service before the cremation. You don't have to buy a casket for that, either. Many funeral homes offer rental caskets: the body rests in a beautiful casket for the viewing, often with a removable interior insert, and the cremation afterward is done in a simple alternative container.
This gives you the dignity of a traditional viewing at a fraction of the cost of purchasing a casket outright. Ask any provider whether they offer a rental casket and what's included in the fee.
Your Rights Under the FTC Funeral Rule
The FTC Funeral Rule is a federal consumer-protection law that applies to every funeral home in the United States. For cremation, it gives you these protections:
- ✓A funeral home cannot require you to buy a casket for direct cremation.
- ✓It must inform you that an inexpensive alternative container is available.
- ✓You have the right to an itemized price list with no appointment or commitment.
- ✓You may buy only the goods and services you want — not a forced package.
- ✓If you supply your own container or urn, the home cannot refuse it or charge a handling fee.
These rights are exactly why comparing providers pays off — direct cremation in New Mexico starts at $895 statewide and $895 in Albuquerque.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a casket for cremation?
No. Under the federal FTC Funeral Rule, a funeral home cannot require you to buy a casket for direct cremation, and it must tell you that an inexpensive alternative container (such as cardboard or fiberboard) is available. A rigid combustible container is generally needed for the cremation itself, but it does not have to be a casket.
What is an alternative container for cremation?
An alternative container is a simple, rigid, fully combustible container — usually heavy cardboard, fiberboard, or unfinished wood — used to hold the body during cremation in place of a casket. It costs a fraction of a casket. The FTC Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to disclose that these are available and to list the price.
Can I rent a casket for a viewing before cremation?
Yes. Many funeral homes offer rental caskets for families who want a viewing or service before cremation. The body rests in the rental casket (often with a replaceable interior insert) for the viewing, then the cremation is done in a simple alternative container. This gives you a traditional viewing at a much lower cost than buying a casket.
What are my rights under the FTC Funeral Rule?
The FTC Funeral Rule gives you the right to an itemized price list, the right to buy only the goods and services you want, and the right to use an alternative container for direct cremation. A funeral home cannot require you to buy a casket for direct cremation, cannot refuse to use a container you supply, and cannot charge a handling fee for it.
Skip the Casket, Save Thousands
Because you don't need a casket for cremation, direct cremation is the lowest-cost option — verified published prices start at $895 statewide and $895 in Albuquerque. Compare the lowest-priced providers on our cheapest cremation in Albuquerque page, or see the bigger picture in the New Mexico funeral cost guide.
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Get Real Cremation Prices — No Casket Required
Tell us where you are and we'll personally email you back, usually the same business day — with the lowest real cremation prices near you, including alternative-container and rental options. Free, no obligation, no pressure.