SUMMARY
• Your federal right to supply your own casket or urn
• Whether a funeral home can charge a handling fee
• What to check before ordering online
• When buying elsewhere does and doesn't save money
Can you buy a casket or urn somewhere else?
Yes. And a funeral home cannot charge you extra for it. This is one of the clearest consumer protections in funeral service, and one of the least known.
What does the law actually say?
Under the FTC Funeral Rule, a funeral home must accept a casket or urn you purchased elsewhere, and it cannot charge a handling, storage, or service fee for doing so. It also cannot require you to be present for the delivery. These aren't courtesies — they're federal requirements that apply to every funeral home in the country.
Where do people buy them?
Online retailers, big-box stores, local woodworkers, and casket outlets all sell directly to families. Delivery timelines vary widely, which is the main practical consideration. Some retailers can deliver next-day; others take a week or more.
What should you check before ordering?
Three things. First, delivery timing — confirm it will arrive before the service, not the morning of. Second, dimensions — standard sizes exist, but oversized needs require an oversized casket and sometimes an oversized vault or burial space. Third, suitability — if the plan includes cremation, make sure what you're buying is appropriate for that; some materials are not.
Call the funeral home before you order and tell them what you're considering. A straightforward funeral home will tell you honestly whether it will work.
Does it actually save money?
Sometimes substantially, sometimes not at all. Caskets carry some of the highest markups in the industry, so the savings on a mid-range or higher-end casket can be real. On a simple cremation container or a modest urn, the difference after shipping is often negligible. It's worth comparing rather than assuming either way.
What about urns specifically?
Urns are where families most often buy elsewhere, and for good reason — there's an enormous range available, from simple wood boxes to handmade pottery to pieces that don't look like urns at all. If something meaningful to your family would serve the purpose, you're allowed to use it.
At Covenant Funeral & Crematory, we'll tell you plainly what things cost, and we'll welcome whatever you bring in. Call us anytime at 423-485-0911.
