Shop and packets · Your rights · Funeral home directory
Simple cremation
Direct cremation means the cremation happens without a formal visitation package. You still need a licensed funeral establishment or crematory for the legal steps. For that service price, use the licensed directory and ask by phone (they must give prices by phone under the Funeral Rule). The list below covers urns and keepsakes you can buy yourself.
These retailers are here to save you money: a casket bought direct often costs hundreds to more than a thousand dollars less than the same casket in a funeral home selection room. As an Amazon Associate, MN Funeral Buddy earns from qualifying purchases made through Amazon links on these pages, and some other links may be referral links that pay this site a small commission. A referral fee never changes the price you pay, and no retailer pays to appear here or to be described a certain way. Funeral homes must accept a casket or urn you buy elsewhere under the federal Funeral Rule (16 CFR Part 453). We are not a funeral home and do not arrange funerals.
Basis: FTC Funeral Rule: caskets.
Goods that go with cremation
A full-size urn plus small keepsakes, bought as a set after direct cremation.
Why it is here: Pairs with a simple cremation plan when the home's urn room feels like pressure.
Tubes designed for scattering ashes outdoors where allowed.
Why it is here: Only after you know local rules for scattering.
Check Minnesota and local rules before scattering.
Full-size urns (about 200 cubic inches). Metal, wood, ceramic.
Why it is here: You may provide the urn; the home cannot require you to buy theirs.
Often under a few hundred online
Simple temporary urns and boxes used until a permanent urn is chosen.
Why it is here: Useful when you are not ready to pick a permanent urn in the arrangement room.
Small shareable urns for dividing ashes among family.
Why it is here: Common after direct cremation when several people want a portion.
Want the questions on paper? The direct-cremation section of the Minnesota Funeral Binder has them.