The Master List
Compare Everything
All 22 options—mainstream and weird—side by side. Sort by cost, environmental impact, or legality.
| Option | Category | Cost | Environmental | Remains | Legal | Time | Requires Cremation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Burial | Mainstream | $7,000–$12,000 | High | Body in casket/vault | All 50 states | Immediate | No |
| Cremation | Mainstream | $1,000–$4,000 | Moderate | Ashes (3–7 lbs) | All 50 states | 2–4 hours | — |
| Aquamation | Mainstream | $2,000–$4,000 | Low | Ashes (20% more) | 28 states | 6–8 hours | — |
| Human Composting | Mainstream | $5,000–$7,000 | Very Low | 1–2 cu yd soil | 12 states | 30–60 days | No |
| Green Burial | Mainstream | $2,000–$5,000 | Very Low | Body in earth | All 50 states | Immediate | No |
| Body Donation | Mainstream | $0–$1,000 | None | Ashes returned | All 50 states | 1–2 years | No |
| Ashes to Diamonds | Art | $1,500–$25,000 | Low | Gemstone | All 50 states | 6–9 months | Yes |
| Eternal Reefs | Nature | $3,000–$8,000 | Restorative | Reef ball | All 50 states | 2–3 months | Yes |
| Mushroom Burial Suit | Nature | $1,500 | Very Low | Body in earth | All 50 states | Immediate | No |
| Tree Pod Burial | Nature | $500–$3,000 | Very Low | Tree grows | All 50 states | Immediate | No |
| Space Burial | Space | $2,500–$12,500 | Low | In orbit/space | All 50 states | 6–18 months | Yes |
| Vinyl from Ashes | Art | $2,000–$4,000 | Low | Record | All 50 states | 4–8 weeks | Yes |
| Memorial Tattoo Ink | Art | $200–$600 | Low | Ink on skin | All 50 states | Immediate | Yes |
| Biodegradable Urns | Nature | $50–$200 | Very Low | Tree grows | All 50 states | Immediate | Yes |
| Glass Art Memorials | Art | $150–$800 | Low | Glass piece | All 50 states | 4–8 weeks | Yes |
| Memorial Fireworks | Space | $500–$3,500 | Moderate | Consumed | Most states | Immediate | Yes |
| Hourglass from Ashes | Art | $250–$600 | Low | Hourglass | All 50 states | 6–10 weeks | Yes |
| Aerial Scattering | Space | $300–$1,500 | Low | Scattered | All 50 states | Immediate | Yes |
| Ashes-Infused Paper | Nature | $50–$300 | Very Low | Paper/flowers | All 50 states | 2–4 weeks | Yes |
| Stained Glass | Art | $200–$2,000 | Low | Glass panel | All 50 states | 4–12 weeks | Yes |
| Underwater Memorial | Nature | $400–$2,000 | Restorative | Reef memorial | All 50 states | 2–4 months | Yes |
| DNA Preservation | Tech | $300–$1,500 | None | DNA sample | All 50 states | Immediate | No |