Arranging a funeral or cremation in South Carolina

It can be an overwhelming task to arrange a funeral, whether you are preplanning or dealing with an unexpected death of a loved one. This guide is designed to help you. We have highlighted some of the main decisions you may need to make when arranging a funeral or cremation in South Carolina. We have tips on how to save on funeral expenses and even arrange a simple cremation for under $1,000.

Licensing laws and regulations pertaining to the operation of a funeral business can vary by state. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ´Funeral Rule´ gives you some protection as a consumer, and it is wise to ensure you know where you legally stand when purchasing funeral services and merchandise.

How do you choose which funeral home or cremation provider suits your needs?

Direct Cremation – Columbia $895 Phone: (803) 380-8807

Direct Cremation – Charleston $1,330 Phone: (843) 994-5899

Choosing the ‘right’ funeral home can be very important to ensure your funeral needs are met. Traditionally, many just opted for the local funeral home they knew of or had been referred to. But tradition is changing, and people can often have specific funeral requirements that they need to have met, such as working on a tight budget or wanting something more unconventional.

It is always wise to ask around and check reviews on funeral homes, and we would recommend you compare services and costs between providers, as these can vary considerably. It will help to be clear about what your basic needs are to help you narrow down your selection process.

How do I find a funeral home or cremation provider in South Carolina?

South Carolina has over 650 funeral homes, cemeteries, and crematories. US Funerals Online lists all funeral establishments in our Funeral Homes directory, and DFS Memorials can also direct you to an affordable cremation near you.

Who is responsible for making the funeral arrangements?

Generally, an immediate member of the family makes the funeral arrangements. There is a stature that dictates the legal order of responsibility. The deceased’s spouse takes precedence then children over the age of 18, parents, siblings, and further next of kin. If there is any confusion or conflict regarding funeral arrangements, you can consult your funeral home, funeral mediator, or an attorney.

Do you want a burial or cremation?

This is probably the single most important decision to be made initially. Choosing between burial or cremation should be an entirely personal choice. Burial has traditionally been the preferred disposition choice in South Carolina. However, times are changing, and cremation is gaining popularity.

Cost can be a driving factor in making this decision today, as the average burial costs around $7,848 (according to the National Funeral Directors Association 2022), which does not include cemetery costs. In comparison, the average cremation in South Carolina can cost around $3,200.

A basic, simple cremation can cost as little as $895.

Although cost should not be the determining factor in deciding between burial or cremation, the brutal reality today is that, for many, affordability is the deciding factor. If cremation is performed, there is a mandatory 24-hour waiting period, and the next of kin must sign a cremation authorization form.

Can I arrange a ‘home funeral’ or green burial in South Carolina?

Yes, conducting your own home funeral in South Carolina is perfectly legal. The SC Code of Regulations 61-19 governs this. You need to file a death certificate within 5 days of the death. You must also apply for a Burial-Removal-Transit (BRT) permit to transport the deceased. A registrar or county coroner issues the BRT permit.

South Carolina has three green burial cemeteries – Greenhaven Preserve at Eastover, Ramsey Creek Preserve at Westminster, and Dust to Dust Green Cemetery in Swansea. You may also bury on your own land, but you should check with the local zoning ordinance first and ensure any burial plot is mapped and secured with the property deeds. You do need to ensure that any burial plot is at least 150 feet from any water supply and 25 feet from any power lines or land boundaries.

If you wish to carry out your own home death care for a lost loved one, support organizations can assist you. While conducting your own death care in SC may be legal, some institutions may refuse to release the deceased’s body unless a funeral director is involved.

There are a number of coroners who also operate as funeral directors, further complicating the issue. If you are interested in a home funeral, it can help you plan ahead, and then you can enlist support and be prepared for any conflicts.

Check out our related article about DIY Funeral Care in our Resources section.

What is the cost of a funeral or cremation in South Carolina?

This is a key question that people turn to the Internet to find out these days. We are a nation of price-conscious online shoppers, used to finding and comparing deals online. Finding out the cost of a cremation or traditional funeral in South Carolina is not always easy.

Many funeral homes do not openly disclose funeral prices on their websites. You must also be mindful of comparing like-for-like and that the cost of a cremation or burial can vary tremendously, even within the same area. It is important to shop around and compare services and prices. Be wary of discount offers that may not include all service charges.

To learn more about cremation services, the cremation process, secure ID tracking, cremation regulations, and laws, visit our Ultimate Guide to Cremation.

If you are concerned about funeral costs, the DFS Memorials providers in South Carolina offer low-cost cremation services and affordable burial services. All DFS Memorials providers guarantee to offer a ‘best value’ direct cremation package.

Sending funeral flowers in South Carolina

Flowers have long been a traditional aspect of a funeral service. If you need to send funeral flowers to a funeral home in South Carolina, US Funerals Online is affiliated with BloomsToday and offers everyday low prices and a 25% – 50% discount on selected sympathy flowers.

Visit our Funeral Flowers selection.

Is embalming required in South Carolina?

No, embalming is not legally required. However, many funeral homes will suggest embalming if a viewing or open casket service is required. If you feel strongly that you do not wish to have your loved one embalmed, there is no reason to, if you arrange a timely burial or cremation. Embalming merely delays the onset of decomposition and is an additional cost.

Embalming costs in South Carolina range from $300 to $1,995.

What are my options for purchasing a casket or alternative container?

A casket is not required by law; only a rigid wooden, corrugated, fiberboard, or metal “alternative container” is required for cremation. The FTC’s ‘Funeral Rule’ stipulates that a consumer has the right to purchase a casket from elsewhere than their funeral home, and the funeral home MUST accept it without any surcharge. This ruling radically revolutionized casket sales, although some states have managed to lobby against the ruling.

A casket is perhaps the most expensive item of a funeral service, and some funeral homes have been known to add a 400-600% mark-up. Today, you can buy a casket from Walmart or Costco for as little as $995. Casket prices from funeral homes in South Carolina vary considerably, but many will now offer more competitive casket prices to price-match online casket retailers.

What are burial and cemetery plot requirements in South Carolina?

As I mentioned, you can conduct a home burial in South Carolina and set up a family burial plot on your land. If you opt for a designated municipal, private, community, or church cemetery, it would be wise to thoroughly check any cemetery regulations before committing to a burial plot.

Burial vaults are NOT required by law, but many cemeteries require burial vaults or liners as part of their regulations. Cemetery regulations also govern fees and arrangements for opening and closing a burial plot, guidelines for what kind of marker can be erected, and what kind of perpetual care is included. It is wise to have thoroughly checked all regulations before purchasing a plot.

Can I pre-plan a funeral or cremation? How does South Carolina state law govern preneed plans?

Yes, you can pre-plan a funeral or cremation plan. This is what is generally referred to as ‘preneed.’ In South Carolina, only a licensed funeral director (employed by a licensed funeral home) can sell preneed contracts held in a trust fund.

Before you purchase any preneed contract, carefully check the provisions and what consumer protection and refund on cancellation there is.

Although US Funerals Online believes that preplanning a funeral can save tremendous stress for surviving families, we do advocate that prepaying for a funeral must be thoroughly considered. Apart from funeral scams, there have been trust funds that have failed to pay out adequately.

Setting up a POD account and depositing an appropriate amount to cover funeral expenses that the POD beneficiary can withdraw upon death can be far safer.

What are the laws for scattering ashes in South Carolina?

According to SC stature Section 32-8-345, it is the crematory or licensed funeral establishment that has responsibility for the final disposition of cremated remains. Cremated remains may be disposed of by “placing in a grave, crypt, niche, by scattering them in a scattering area, or in any manner on the private property of a consenting owner. If cremated remains are disposed of on public lands or water, all state and federal laws apply.”

Some state parks allow ash scattering as long as it is conducted away from public areas and no memorial or shrine is erected at the scattering site. Only biodegradable materials can be used. In most cases, the state park does not require a permit. You should scatter at least 100 yards from any trail, water, or developed facility.

Suppose you wish to scatter off the coast of South Carolina at sea. In that case, you should observe the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines that a sea burial must be conducted 3 nautical miles off the coast. South Carolina is in Region 4 of the EPA, and contact details can be found on the EPA website.

The scattering of cremated remains is still somewhat of an ‘un-policed’ matter, and you should use common-sense guidelines. Cremated remains are organic, sterile matter and are of no detriment or harm to the environment. So long as you are not scattering anywhere that could offend someone, you should feel free to conduct a scattering wherever you choose.

You should note that many cemeteries have set up ‘scattering gardens’ to facilitate the scattering of remains. However, they will most likely want to charge you if you wish to inter ashes within a pre-existing gravesite or even scatter on top of an existing burial plot. If you truly wish to scatter ashes, with no requirement for a designated interment, you should be able to do it without incurring a cost.

What help is available with funeral/ cremation expenses in South Carolina?

We are being asked this question frequently today as many folks struggle to pay out funeral costs. There is, unfortunately, very limited assistance. Social Security pays out a lump sum death benefit of $255 (if the deceased qualifies), and veterans and certain dependents are entitled to certain benefits.

A veteran is entitled to a free cemetery plot and grave marker, and US flag. Dependents may be entitled to a burial plot. There are 3 VA cemeteries in South Carolina, Beaufort, Columbia, and Florence. There is also a state-run veteran’s cemetery at Anderson. To find out more about veterans’ benefits, contact your local VA office.

If you are concerned about paying for a funeral, do read our article about what are your options for how to pay for a funeral. It does provide some useful tips on alternative ways to finance funeral expenses. Most importantly, consult with support agencies and groups, and do not panic alone.

Remember that a simple, direct cremation or immediate burial is your most cost-effective option.

Are whole-body donations permitted in South Carolina?

Yes, you can opt to donate your body to science. 2 Universities offer anatomical donation programs. The Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston does not cover transportation costs, and the family must pay for this:

Medical University of South Carolina
Department of Anatomy
171 Ashley Avenue
Charleston, SC 29425

The ‘Gift of Body Program’ at the University of South Carolina in Columbia does offer a program and will usually cover the transportation costs.

Remember that registering to donate is no guarantee that the donation will be accepted at the time of death. You should have a reserve plan.

What do you do if your loved one dies away from South Carolina?

It can be extremely stressful if a loved one should die whilst away from home. If you wish to repatriate the deceased back to South Carolina, or indeed from SC to another state or country, you will need the services of a mortuary shipper.

You can read more information about this in the Funeral Shipping section.

We also offer a travel assurance funeral or repatriation plan that covers ALL mortuary shipping and/or funeral costs for a one-time low enrolment fee of $450. This plan is designed to protect you (and your family) from unnecessary and expensive costs to repatriate your remains home, should you pass when traveling away from your home.

Visit our article on Travel Protection: Your Guide to Affordable Funeral Shipping, or click the link below to enroll today.

If you do travel regularly for work, pleasure, sport, visiting family, or snow-birding, you may wish to consider our great value Travel Protection Plan. This plan costs just $450 for an individual for lifetime protection against the costly expense of returning a body home if a death occurs 75 miles (or further) from your residence. It also provides global coverage. Domestic funeral shipping can cost from $3,000, and International repatriation can start at around $6,900.

As 80% of adult Americans travel these days, this plan can provide considerable peace of mind that you are protected and can be returned home should an unexpected death occur. Mortuary shipping can cost thousands of dollars, and that is before any funeral arrangements are made.

At $450, this plan should be considered by anyone who travels 75 miles or further (and covers overseas travel) from their home regularly.

Where do I get a copy of a death certificate from in South Carolina?

To obtain a copy of a death certificate, you must apply to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). You must have a photo ID to make an application, complete the application form, and pay the $12.00 application fee.

You can apply in person, by mail, or online. Processing time differs depending on your method of application. In-person, it takes about 45 minutes, and by mail or online, it can take up to 7 days.

The state office is at 2600 Bull St., Columbia, SC 29201. Phone: (803) 898-3630. You can also apply in person through the regional or county offices. Locations can be found here.

What should you do if you have a complaint about funeral services or products you have purchased?

Suppose you should have a grievance against a licensed funeral director or funeral home in South Carolina. In that case, you should attempt to resolve it directly with the establishment in the first instance. If you are unable to reach a resolution, you can make a formal complaint to the following:

S. C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
Office of Investigations and Enforcement
P. O. Box 11329
Columbia, S.C. 29211

Funeral Consumer organizations in South Carolina:

The Funeral Consumers Alliance has a chapter in South Carolina. They offer consumer guidance and support.

Funeral Consumers Alliance of SC
2701 Heyward St.
Columbia, SC 29205

Resources:

Funeral Homes in South Carolina

DFS Memorials – Low-Cost Funeral & Cremation Providers in South Carolina

South Carolina