The short answer: A direct cremation through Utah Simple Cremations is $995, all-inclusive. A full traditional funeral with burial in Utah commonly runs $9,000–$15,000 once you add a casket, vault, cemetery plot, headstone, embalming, viewing, and funeral-director services. For most families, direct cremation costs roughly 90% less — and you can still hold a meaningful memorial on your own terms. Call (801) 910-5317.
Direct cremation vs. traditional funeral
The figures below are typical Utah ranges. Actual costs vary by provider, cemetery, and the choices a family makes.
| Direct Cremation (USC) | Traditional Funeral & Burial | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical total cost | $995 | $9,000–$15,000+ |
| Embalming | Not required | Usually required for viewing |
| Casket | Not required | $2,000–$5,000+ |
| Burial vault | Not required | $1,000–$1,500+ |
| Cemetery plot | Optional (niche from $2150) | $1,000–$4,000+ |
| Headstone / marker | Optional | $1,000–$3,000+ |
| Formal service & facility fees | None — memorial on your terms | $2,000–$4,000+ |
| Timeline | Cremated remains returned in ~7–10 days | Service typically within days; burial coordinated |
What each option includes
Direct Cremation
Plus applicable Utah sales tax.
Individuals over 200 lbs require a larger container at a higher price.
- Transport into our care, 24/7
- Utah state cremation permit & paperwork
- The cremation itself, at our on-site crematory
- Basic cremation container
- Return of cremated remains to the family
Prefer to supply your own container? Direct cremation without the container is $835.
Begin arrangementsTraditional Funeral & Burial
A traditional funeral is a meaningful choice for many families. It typically bundles:
- Embalming and cosmetic preparation
- A casket and, for burial, a vault
- A viewing or visitation
- A formal funeral service with staff and facilities
- A cemetery plot and headstone
Each element carries its own cost, which is why a full traditional funeral commonly totals $9,000–$15,000+ in Utah.
Why the cost difference is so large
Direct cremation costs less because it removes the most expensive parts of a traditional funeral — not because it cuts corners on care. There is no casket or vault to purchase, no embalming, no cemetery plot or headstone, and no rented facility or staffed service. What remains is the essential, dignified care: bringing your loved one into our keeping, the cremation itself at our own Utah crematory, and the careful return of their cremated remains. Families who want a gathering still have one — on their own terms, at a time and place that fits them, without paying funeral-home facility fees.
Which is right for your family?
Direct cremation may fit if…
You want simplicity and transparent pricing, you'd prefer to plan a personal memorial yourself, or a formal viewing and burial aren't important to your family.
A traditional funeral may fit if…
A formal viewing, an embalmed open-casket service, or burial in a family plot is meaningful to you, and the added cost is worth it for your family's traditions.
You can also combine both
Many families choose cremation and then hold a memorial or inter the cremated remains in a cemetery niche — keeping costs down while preserving a place to visit.
Direct cremation vs. traditional funeral — FAQ
Is cremation cheaper than a traditional funeral in Utah?
Yes, substantially. A direct cremation through Utah Simple Cremations is $995, while a full traditional funeral with burial in Utah commonly runs $9,000–$15,000 once you add a casket, vault, plot, headstone, embalming, viewing, and services.
Can I still have a viewing or service with cremation?
Yes. You can hold a memorial service after cremation on your own terms. Some families also arrange a viewing beforehand; ask us and we'll explain the options and costs honestly.
What does the $995 direct cremation include?
Transport into our care, the Utah state cremation permit and paperwork, the cremation at our on-site crematory, a basic cremation container, and return of the cremated remains. It's all-inclusive — $835 if you provide your own container. Applicable sales tax applies, and individuals over 200 lbs require a larger container at a higher price.
Do you serve my area?
We serve all of Northern Utah within 50 miles of Salt Lake City with no distance surcharge. See our service areas for the counties and cities we cover.
Talk it through with a Cremation Specialist
No pressure and no sales pitch — just honest answers about your options and costs. We answer 24 hours a day.
Call (801) 910-5317