Lowest Cost Way to Go

The Body
  • Whole body donation to medical school. FREE, if they will accept it.
  • Whole body donation to a for-profit organization. FREE, if they will take it.
  • Indigent Burial. FREE, if the local authorities let you off the hook.
  • Cremation, ashes scattered outside a cemetery. Requires shopping around. Likely not less than $600.
  • Warning: Cremetories and Cemeteries my not accept drive-ups.
  • User your own truck or van. FREEish, just the cost of fuel.
  • Get a friend's truck or van. FREEish, probably will require some sort of payback.
  • Rent a truck or van. Should be less than $200 for a whole day, BUT you will need help moving to the vehicle.
  • Funeral Home hearse. Probably over $500.
  • Shroud
  • Cardboard box.
  • Woven casket.
  • For composted remains: Just a bucket to transport soil to final destination.
  • For ashes remains: Supply your own shoebox.
  • For ashes remains: Crematory's "alternate" container.
  • Cemetery: natural burial
  • Cemetery: green burial
  • Burial at Sea
  • Cemetery: pre-paid group plot
  • Scattered on your own property: FREE, where legal. Probably must disclose when selling.
  • Scattered in a wilderness park: Cost of park admission + possible permit
  • Scattered in a national park: Cost of park admission + possible permit
  • Scattered at sea: Cost to get 3 nautical miles offshore
  • Scattered in cemeteries: requires shopping around
  • DIY Home Funeral. Cost is as low as you choose.
  • Doula-assisted Home Funeral. $?
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