Funeral Costs in Charleston, SC (2026)

Based on data from 9 funeral homes in Charleston, South Carolina. Average direct cremation: $2,838.

How much does a funeral cost in Charleston?

Direct Cremation $2,838 from $795

Basic Services Fee $2,997

Funeral Home Prices in Charleston, South Carolina

Itemized pricing from 9 funeral homes. Updated 2026.

Funeral Home	Direct Cremation	Traditional Burial	Basic Services Fee	Phone
Carolina Memorial Park, Funerals & Cremations 7113 Rivers Avenue	$1,995	—	$3,830	843-797-2222
Charleston Cremation Center 2054 Wambaw Creek Road	$795	—	$1,395	843-284-7777
Dorothy's Home for Funerals 78 Canon Street	$1,500	—	$1,975	843-722-0268
Fielding Home For Funerals 122 Logan Street	$1,495	—	$1,395	843-722-3348
J. Henry Stuhr - Downtown Chapel 232 Calhoun St	$3,890	—	$3,595	843-723-2524
J. Henry Stuhr - West Ashley Chapel 3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway	$3,890	—	$3,595	843-763-7664
James A. McAlister Funeral Home 1620 Savannah Hwy	$3,095	—	$3,395	843-766-1365
McAlister-Smith Funeral Home - James Island Chapel 347 Folly Road	$4,440	—	$3,895	843-614-8494
McAlister-Smith Funeral Home - West Ashley Chapel 2501 Bees Ferry Road	$4,440	—	$3,895	843-722-8371

Understanding Funeral Costs in Charleston

Below is a plain-English breakdown of every line item you'll see on a funeral home's General Price List (GPL) — required by the FTC Funeral Rule to be provided on request.

Basic Services Fee — avg $2,997 in Charleston

The funeral home's non-declinable charge, required for every funeral regardless of services chosen. Covers the funeral director's expertise, 24/7 availability, coordination with cemeteries and crematories, and facility overhead. You cannot opt out of this fee.

Direct Cremation — avg $2,838 in Charleston

The most affordable option. The body is cremated shortly after death with no embalming, no viewing, and no formal service. The ashes are returned to the family in a basic container. Families often hold a separate memorial service later at a location of their choice. In Charleston, prices start as low as $795.

Traditional Burial

The most comprehensive option — includes embalming, viewing or visitation, a formal funeral service, and burial in a casket. Does not include the cemetery plot, grave opening/closing fees, or the headstone, which are billed separately by the cemetery.

Embalming — typically $500–$900

The preservation of remains to slow decomposition. Required for open-casket viewings and for remains transported across state lines. Not required by law if you choose direct cremation or immediate burial without viewing. Funeral homes cannot require embalming without a valid reason.

Viewing / Visitation — typically $400–$600

Use of the funeral home's facilities and staff for an open-casket viewing before the service. Separate from the funeral ceremony fee. Families can choose a viewing without a formal service, or skip it entirely with a memorial-only service.

Transfer / Removal — typically $300–$500

The fee to transport the deceased from the place of death (hospital, home, nursing facility) to the funeral home. Usually covers a local radius; additional mileage fees apply for transfers outside the area.

Funeral Ceremony — typically $400–$600

Use of the funeral home's chapel or ceremony room for the service itself, plus staff coordination. You can hold the service at a church, cemetery, or other venue to avoid this fee.

What's NOT included in funeral home prices

Cemetery plot or mausoleum niche, grave opening and closing fees, death certificates (typically $10–$25 each; you'll need 5–10 copies), clergy or officiant honorarium, flowers, obituary placement, and the headstone or grave marker — all are billed separately.

Your rights under the FTC Funeral Rule: Every funeral home in South Carolina must give you an itemized General Price List upon request — in person, over the phone, or by mail. You cannot be required to buy a package; you may select individual services. Always get prices in writing before agreeing to anything.

Frequently Asked Questions — Funeral Costs in Charleston

What is the average funeral cost in Charleston, South Carolina?

Funeral costs in Charleston, South Carolina vary by funeral home and service type. We have 9 funeral homes listed. Contact them directly for current pricing.

How much does direct cremation cost in Charleston?

Direct cremation in Charleston averages $2,838, with prices ranging from $795 to higher depending on the provider. Direct cremation is the most affordable option because it skips embalming, visitation, and a formal funeral service.

What is the difference between direct cremation and a traditional funeral?

Direct cremation is the simplest and least expensive option — the body is cremated shortly after death without embalming, viewing, or a funeral ceremony. A traditional funeral includes embalming, a viewing or visitation, a funeral service, and burial in a casket. In Charleston, South Carolina, traditional funerals typically cost significantly more than direct cremation.

What is included in the basic services fee?

The basic services fee (sometimes called the funeral home's non-declinable fee) covers the funeral director's services, overhead, and coordination. In Charleston, this fee averages $2,997. It is charged for every funeral regardless of which services you select.

How do Charleston funeral costs compare to South Carolina averages?

South Carolina's state average funeral cost provides a useful benchmark. Compare prices from multiple funeral homes in Charleston before making a decision.

About This Data

Funeral pricing data for Charleston, South Carolina is sourced from OfficialObituary.com's funeral home directory, which covers 9+ homes in Charleston and 10,000+ funeral homes nationwide. Prices are collected from individual funeral home websites and updated periodically. Always contact funeral homes directly to confirm current pricing before making arrangements.

Data source: OfficialObituary.com funeral home directory · View all South Carolina funeral homes · API access for researchers

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