Cremation Costs
About 25% of families use cremation as a final disposition option for a loved one. Because cremation costs are about 1/5 the cost of a traditional funeral, it is a very practical, low cost option. Money is not the only reason a family might decide on cremation. Sometimes the departed requests cremation or if the body has been donated to science or for organs it is better to cremate the remains. But just like with funerals, if you’re not thoughtful and diligent about what you want, the cremation cost could end up being as much as a small full funeral.
If you’re looking for a cremation provider, check the yellow pages under cremation and funeral homes. In many states you can deal directly with the crematorium instead of a funeral home. This keeps the cremation cost low.
If you work with a funeral home, you will have many options, just like a traditional funeral. You can have a visitation with an open casket, processions, funeral service, and cemetery burial. Since the body wont be cremated inside the casket, you can usually lease a casket from the funeral home. You can modify your choices such as not having a viewing so you don’t have to worry about a casket or embalming; you can just have a memorial service and burial, just a burial; or just the cremation.
If you know ahead of time that you are going to have a cremation and not work with a funeral home, you can have a direct cremation and the cremation costs will be very reasonable. After death, the staff will transport the body to the cremation facility. There is a one to two day waiting period, after which the cremation takes place and the remains are placed in an urn or other temporary container. The remains will be delivered to the family or any other final resting place.
