Some Costs to Consider When Considering Cremation

Dealing with loss can be challenging. On top of the emotional stress, many struggles with the financial weight of arranging funeral and burial services can make the process even harder to cope with.

According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the median cost of a funeral and burial service is around $7,640. As a result, comparatively lower-priced cremation services are growing in popularity.

There are many reasons people choose to be cremated, including both religious and environmental factors in addition to the lower cost. But, what many may not realize is that there are additional fees that impact the overall cost of your cremation, starting with your cemetery.

Cremation and remembrance can range in cost anywhere from $350 to $4,000. If you opt for a direct cremation, however, the cost tends to be lower because the body is cremated immediately after death and may not require funeral home services should survivors so choose.

In a direct cremation, the cemetery or crematorium handles everything, which can alleviate some stress. Some may choose to conduct a funeral service with a wake and viewing, but it is not necessary in a direct cremation.

A casket is not necessary in a cremation, but can be purchased depending on the wishes of the family and deceased. In place of a casket, it is typical to purchase an urn to store and display the cremated remains, however if the ashes will be scattered, the decorative urn is not necessary.

If the cemetery of choice doesn’t have a cremation center on site, the body will need to be exported for a fee. Places like Woodlawn Cemetery in Syracuse, New York, offer cremation and even space for memorial services on-site, which avoids the exporting fee.

When someone dies, it is necessary to obtain a death certificate. This is a document issued by the government that state’s location and time of death in addition to personal details about the deceased.

A death certificate is necessary for a variety of legal reasons. It is also required when accessing pension benefits, claiming life insurance, settling estates and arranging a funeral.

Before a cremation can occur, one must also receive a cremation permit, in addition to the death certificate.

While cremation itself is simple in nature, a more elaborate funeral service with a wake and viewing can be arranged with all their associated costs. One may choose to offer calling hours at a funeral home and buy a casket for the viewing, but these additions aren’t needed in the cremation process.

All in all, it comes down to what the deceased would have wanted, which is priceless.

Whether cremation, including direct cremation, is an option for you can be decided well in advance.

Simply send your name and address to Woodlawn for a free Pre-Planning Guide to learn more.