Direct cremation in Madison, Wisconsin: cost & providers
Median direct cremation · Madison, Wisconsin
Direct cremation in Madison typically costs between $850 and $3,850 — 7% below the national average.
Ranges are estimates from public pricing, so verify exact prices with local providers.
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What should a direct cremation cost?
Ranges are estimates from public pricing. Verify exact prices with local providers.
By the numbers
Direct cremation in Madison, Wisconsin
Legal & logistics
Pending verification- Waiting period
- A short waiting period after death may apply before cremation can proceed.
- Permits & authorisation
- A cremation permit and an authorisation form signed by the next of kin are typically required.
- Scattering ashes
- Scattering on private land is generally allowed with permission; public land and waterways have their own rules. At sea, the federal EPA rule requires scattering at least 3 nautical miles from shore.
- State regulator
- Wisconsin Funeral Directors Examining Board, the body that licenses providers and handles complaints.
General guidance for Madison, Wisconsin. Confirm current rules with the relevant state authority before making arrangements.
Local providers
Cremation providers in Madison
Funeral homes and crematories serving Madison, Wisconsin. Listings are from public data — confirm current pricing and services directly.
Gunderson Funeral Home - Madison
5203 Monona Dr, Monona, WI 53716, USA
Ryan Funeral Home – North East Side
2418 N Sherman Ave, Madison, WI 53704, USA
Foster Funeral & Cremation Services
2737 Coho St, Madison, WI 53713, USA
Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
6021 University Ave, Madison, WI 53705, USA
Cremation Society of Madison
2810 Crossroads Dr #4000, Madison, WI 53718, USA
Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Rd, Madison, WI 53705, USA
Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3325 E Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53704, USA
Informed Choice Funeral & Cremation Alternatives
3325 E Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53704, USA
Provider listings are drawn from public sources and are not an endorsement. Verify details, services and pricing with each provider.
Nearby in Wisconsin
Other locations
What's included
- Transfer of your loved one into the funeral home's care
- Required paperwork and the cremation permit
- The cremation itself
- A basic container and return of the ashes
What to watch for
- Hidden add-ons — urns, viewings, or memorial packages you may not need
- “Cremation” quotes that are really full-service with extras bundled in
- Mileage or transfer fees outside a set radius
- Pressure to decide quickly — a reputable provider gives you time
Frequently asked
- How much does a direct cremation cost in Madison, Wisconsin?
- In Madison, Wisconsin, direct cremation typically ranges from $850 to $3,850, with a typical price around $2,150. Paying much above this usually means extras are bundled in.
- What is direct cremation?
- Direct cremation is a cremation carried out shortly after death, without a viewing or funeral service beforehand. Families can hold a memorial later, on their own terms — which is part of why it costs less.
- Is direct cremation the cheapest option in Madison, Wisconsin?
- It's usually the lowest-cost option available, because it removes the service, casket, embalming and viewing. A traditional funeral with burial often costs several times more.
- Can I still hold a memorial?
- Yes. Many families choose direct cremation precisely so they can hold a personal memorial later — at home, outdoors, or whenever loved ones can gather.