Walmart is in The Mortuary Business Now
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Understanding Walmart's Funeral Product Offerings
Wal Mart Mortuary is not a physical funeral home or mortuary service, but rather Walmart's online marketplace for funeral products including caskets, urns, and memorial items. If you're searching for information about Walmart's funeral offerings, here's what you need to know:
Walmart began selling caskets online in 2009, entering a market traditionally dominated by funeral homes that often mark up caskets by several hundred percent. The retail giant's move has disrupted the funeral industry by offering consumers more affordable options during an already difficult time.
The Federal Trade Commission's "Funeral Rule" requires all funeral homes to accept caskets purchased from third-party retailers like Walmart, making this a viable option for families looking to reduce funeral expenses, which average $7,848 in the United States.
When ordering from Walmart, customers should note that caskets can only be shipped to licensed funeral homes or mortuaries, not to residential addresses. The standard shipping fee is $49.97, and products are typically dispatched within 48 hours.
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I'm Mortuary Cooler, a national-level supplier of mortuary coolers with extensive knowledge of the funeral industry including Wal Mart Mortuary product offerings and how they compare to traditional funeral supply chains. My expertise helps funeral directors understand all available options for serving families with dignity while managing costs.
Simple Wal Mart Mortuary glossary:
What Is Wal Mart Mortuary? Definition & Myth-Busting
You've probably heard the term "Wal Mart Mortuary" and wondered if the retail giant has actually entered the funeral home business. Let's clear up this common misunderstanding with some friendly straight talk.
Wal Mart Mortuary isn't what many people think it is. Walmart doesn't operate funeral homes or provide mortuary services—there are no Walmart funeral directors preparing loved ones for their final farewells. Instead, what people refer to as "Wal Mart Mortuary" is simply Walmart's online marketplace where you can purchase funeral products like caskets and urns.
This confusion is understandable. When most of us think about buying caskets, we picture somber funeral home showrooms—not the same website where we order groceries and household items. But that's exactly what Walmart offers: an online-only catalog of end-of-life products sold through third-party vendors.
And honestly, this online-only approach makes sense. Can you imagine shopping for a casket next to the sporting goods section? As one funeral industry blogger humorously noted, the alternative would be "Picture Grandma picking her casket in the sporting goods aisle" or "children hiding under clothing racks amidst steel and wooden caskets." Some things are better kept in separate shopping experiences.
Does Walmart Operate Real "Wal Mart Mortuary" Facilities?
The short answer? No. Despite persistent rumors, Walmart has never operated physical mortuary facilities. You won't find embalming rooms, viewing parlors, or funeral directors at any Walmart location.
This brick-and-mortar mortuary myth might have been fueled by a notable land-use controversy involving the Honolulu Walmart. During construction in 2003-2004, workers found 42 sets of Native Hawaiian burials on the site. The case made headlines when the Hawaii Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal related to the matter in 2009. But this archaeological finding had nothing to do with Walmart operating funeral services—it was simply an unfortunate construction findy.
Wal Mart Mortuary: Marketplace for Funeral Products
What Wal Mart Mortuary actually offers is a digital platform connecting consumers with established funeral product suppliers. Walmart itself doesn't manufacture, store, or ship these items. Instead, they partner with reputable companies like Titan Casket, Overnight Caskets, and Star Legacy who handle the entire fulfillment process.
This operates on what's called a drop-shipping model. When you order a casket through Walmart.com, your order information goes directly to the third-party supplier, who then ships the product to your designated funeral home (never to a residential address).
In the broader funeral industry, Walmart competes with established players like Batesville Casket Company, Matthews Aurora Funeral Solutions, and Thacker Caskets, who primarily sell through funeral homes rather than direct-to-consumer. Online competitors include Costco and Amazon, who have similar marketplace models for funeral products.
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Timeline: How Walmart Entered the Funeral Market & Why It Matters
The story of how your local big-box retailer became an unexpected player in the funeral industry is both fascinating and meaningful for American families. Wal Mart Mortuary products didn't appear overnight—the journey began years earlier with a bold move by another retail giant.
Costco first tested the waters between 2004 and 2008, offering caskets online and demonstrating that yes, Americans were indeed willing to purchase funeral merchandise alongside bulk paper towels and rotisserie chickens. This pioneering move cracked open the door to what had traditionally been a closed market.
In 2009, as many Americans were feeling the financial squeeze of the Great Recession, Walmart officially launched its online casket and urn marketplace. With starting prices around $999—significantly lower than many funeral homes—the timing couldn't have been better for budget-conscious families facing end-of-life expenses.
Between 2010 and 2012, Wal Mart Mortuary offerings expanded through strategic partnerships with more funeral product suppliers. The retail giant wasn't just dipping a toe in the water; they were creating a substantial presence in the market. From 2013 to the present, we've witnessed continuous growth in this online marketplace, with Walmart maintaining its position as a major player.
Why does Walmart's entry into this market truly matter? For starters, it brought much-needed price transparency to an industry long criticized for its murky pricing structures. Suddenly, anyone could go online and see exactly what a casket might cost—no uncomfortable conversations in grief rooms required.
This move also represented a significant shift in consumer empowerment. Families gained more control over one of the largest funeral expenses at a time when they're most vulnerable. As one industry observer noted, "When you're grieving, comparison shopping isn't top of mind—but saving thousands of dollars certainly helps ease one burden."
The industry disruption can't be overstated. Traditional funeral homes, which had operated on business models that included substantial casket markups, suddenly faced competition from a retail behemoth with best-in-class supply chain efficiency. Many had to reconsider their pricing strategies and value propositions—what unique services could they offer that Walmart couldn't?
As The Week reported in their article on the discount-coffin controversy, "The price of being dead just dropped." This simple statement captures the essence of how Wal Mart Mortuary products democratized access to affordable funeral merchandise during a time when many American families needed it most.
Shopping Guide—Products, Pricing & How to Buy from Wal Mart Mortuary
Shopping for funeral products through Wal Mart Mortuary offerings is straightforward but differs from typical Walmart purchases. Here's what you need to know about the products, pricing, and purchasing process.
Walmart's online funeral marketplace offers several categories of products:
- Caskets: The core offering, with prices ranging from $955 to $3,395
- Urns: For cremated remains, available in various materials and designs
- Keepsakes: Memorial items including jewelry, frames, and other remembrance products
All items ship for a standard fee of $49.97 and are typically dispatched within 48 hours of ordering, making them suitable even for time-sensitive situations.
Casket & Urn Options: Materials, Sizes, Veteran Models
Walmart's casket selection includes various materials and designs to suit different preferences and budgets:
Casket Materials:
- Steel: Available in different gauges (thickness), with 18-gauge being common
- Hardwood: Including oak, pine, and poplar options
- Eco-friendly: Biodegradable options for green burials
Special Categories:
- Child sizes: Smaller caskets for pediatric needs
- Titan Veteran Series: Specially designed for military veterans with service emblems
Top-Selling Models Include:
- "Mom or Dad Remembered" steel casket ($895)
- Bronze model casket ($2,899)
- Basic steel models in various colors ($999-$1,299)
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