Cost of Cremation
In the past ten years in the United States, 23% of folks who have passed away – or their family – have chosen to be cremated. Without question, the leading reason is due to the cost of cremation. Or should I say, the cost of a typical funeral and burial. The costs of a typical funeral and burial are running just over $5,000 nowadays. This compares to a little as $1,000 for a direct cremation. Of course you can spend quite a bit more on a cremation, depending on the level of service you want, but with a traditional funeral, you are locked into specific costs you don’t see with a cremation.
Steering Clear Of Funeral Homes
With the cost of cremation being so low and with funeral directors anxious about losing market share in the death business, more and more of them are adding cremation to their list of services. But guess what? They are also bringing their age old practice of attempting to get grieving loved ones to spend a whole lot more than they need to with a cremation by trying to sell services and products that they simply do not need. Although there are federal laws that prohibit unfair and unwanted funeral practices, there are still plenty of funeral homes that continue to pour on the pressure with folks who are often times in the lowest point in their lives. If you are dealing with a funeral home that requires you to purchase a casket even if your loved one is going to be cremated, refuse to this demand. If the funeral home persists, call your state’s attorney general as it is illegal to force you do do so. A simple wooden box will do. And there is no legal requirement that states you need to purchase an urn. Most crematories place the remains in a plastic, metal or even cardboard box.
Cremation Societies
Partly as an answer to pushy funeral homes, there has been a proliferation in recent years of cremation societies. Many of these societies charge a nominal fee to join them and provide discounted services when it comes to cremation. Many of them require prepayment of cremation services, so you’ll need to know who you are doing business with, but these societies can really save you a lot on not only the cost of cremation, but a lot of anguish when it comes to dealing with a loved ones death as well. No dealing with heavy handed funeral directors as the entire service will already have been bought and paid for. Many of these societies have several packages available. I’ve seen them range anywhere from $1,000 to as much as $2,700 for a complete chapel service and all the other components of a traditional service. Some also offer a service of viewing the cremation if that’s something you wish to do.
Cremation Reefs
There are other very creative cremation options when it comes to cremation that are certainly not available to those who have a traditional funeral service and burial. One of these options is significantly more expensive than a traditional cremation service, but one that provides a permanent environmental legacy. Perhaps you’ve heard of companies that use the ashes from cremation to build reefs in the ocean. Loved ones are actually able to get involved in creating their loved ones memorial reef. Perhaps you want to put your hand print in the concrete as it’s being constructed or maybe you’d like a rubbing from the plaque at the viewing ceremony. Many of the companies that do this also offer a military honors service as well, so you may want to place a flat on the memorial prior to it being placed on the ocean floor. All of the activities associated with these cremation reef ceremonies provide peace of mind for everyone involved.
To be sure, the cost of cremation is the main reason that cremation has become such an attractive option for many families. If you are looking for the least expensive service as possible, you are encouraged to search for a cremation society in your area as you’ll likely find they provide the best value. Staying away from a traditional funeral home will likely save you not only money, but frustration as well. If cost is not an issue, yet you or your loved one planned to be cremated, the ocean reef program can be one that will provide lifelong memories for your loved ones. There is even a service that will bring you to the reef for scheduled visits as well.