Posted by on February 17, 2009
This article explains cremation with services. Families choosing cremation have two options: direct cremation or cremation with services.
Cremation with services often includes elements similar to what you would find in a traditional funeral; however, instead of a casketed body serving as the focal point of ceremonies, the cremated remains are the centerpiece of a memorial service.
With cremation the body is exposed to high heat and reduced to the consistency of sand. In the case of cremation with services, the cremation itself could occur after a traditional funeral has been held or the body could be cremated first and the cremains used as the focal point during a memorial service.
A memorial service is any type of service that commemorates the life of the deceased while an urn containing the cremains (i.e. ashes) is in the room. A funeral service is any type of service that commemorates the life of the deceased while the casketed body is in the room.
Depending on the timing of cremation, the body may need to be embalmed. If the body is cremated before any type of formal ceremony is held, embalming is usually not necessary. If cremation takes place after the body is viewed, embalming is usually required.
To summarize: cremation with services
When you choose cremation with services the body is removed from the place of death to the funeral home or crematory. The body is then prepared for viewing and visitation, followed by a funeral ceremony and then cremated.
Alternatively, the body could be cremated immediately upon arrival at the funeral home and the cremains used as the centerpiece in a memorial service.
Click here to learn more about cremation.
Posted by on February 5, 2009
This article will discuss the costs involved in choosing a direct cremation. There are two basic ways to arrange for direct cremation: through a funeral home or directly through a crematory. A crematory is a business that only performs cremation services.
Generally speaking, most funeral homes do not perform cremations themselves. Instead, they contract out their cremation services to a crematory and include the crematory’s fees as part of the funeral home’s bill. Many times the funeral home will add a separate handling fee to the crematory’s charges.
This means it’s usually less expensive to arrange direct cremation through the crematory. Doing so allows you to eliminate any extra fees from the funeral home.
Average Direct Cremation Costs
The average cost of performing a direct cremation through a funeral home is between $1,600 and $3,000. Costs can run as high as $5,500 if you purchase a casket to be used in the cremation.
The average cost of performing a direct cremation through a crematory is between $1,000 and $2,200. Again, costs can be significantly more if you cremate the body in an expensive casket.
From a practical standpoint, there isn’t a good reason to purchase a casket for use in a direct cremation. You’ll be fine using a less-expensive cardboard box, sometimes referred to as an “alternative container.”
Posted by on January 29, 2009
Direct Cremation Advantages
Direct cremation offers an affordable alternative to traditional body burial.
While direct cremation can significantly reduce funeral home costs, you can reap additional financial benefits from the cemetery and headstone dealer. If you choose not to bury the cremated remains – and many people do not - you can eliminate many items that make the traditional funeral so expensive.
Here is a list of costs you can eliminate by choosing direct cremation:
- expensive casket
- embalming
- funeral home staff and facilities charge
- cosmetic and hair dressing charges
- funeral chapel or church fees
- viewing or visitation charges
- transportation fees (hearse, flower car, utility vehicle, etc.)
- burial plot or mausoleum crypt
- vault or grave liner
- grave opening and closing costs
- headstone or grave marker
But price is not the only advantage in choosing direct cremation. Many people prefer cremation because the cremains (i.e. ashes) are portable. This allows families to take remains with them when they move. Many people also feel that choosing cremation over body burial is friendlier to the environment because no land is disturbed.
Direct cremation is also simpler and more expedient. The entire affair usually takes place in just two or three days; furthermore, direct cremation requires less time commitment from the family. This can be especially important if surviving family members are ill, disabled, or live far away.
Cremation also offers a wide range of disposition options. While most families decide to keep remains at home, other options exist. You can find many creative cremation options in the Funeral Saver’s Kit.
Direct Cremation Disadvantages
While direct cremation offers many advantages, you also need to consider its potential disadvantages before finalizing your plans.
Because many families find comfort in holding a traditional funeral service, a simpler direct cremation may not be therapeutic enough to satisfy surviving family members.
In addition, direct cremation does not allow the family to celebrate the decedent’s life, nor does it give friends an opportunity to say goodbye.
And because the funeral home makes less money when providing direct cremation services, funeral home employees may try harder to sell you extras.
Lastly, even though you may not have to buy a grave site or headstone, you will incur an additional expense if you decide to purchase an urn.
Posted by on January 27, 2009
This article discusses direct cremation. There are three main reasons people choose cremation over body burial:
- it’s less expensive
- it saves land
- it provides increased mobility (i.e. it is easy to transport / relocate cremains)
A point of clarification before we get started: cremation replicates the same process that a buried body eventually undergoes. Over time, a buried body decomposes and ends up as ashes – just like what happens through cremation.
A description of direct cremation
When you choose direct cremation, the body is taken directly from the place of death (or morgue) to the crematory where it is exposed to high heat and reduced to a sand-like consistency.
Normally, the body stops at the funeral home or crematory (some funeral homes have their own on-site crematory) just long enough to secure the death certificate and cremation permit – and for the family to sign the cremation authorization form.
No funeral or visitation ceremonies are held when you choose direct cremation. Furthermore, the body is not embalmed, nor does it receive hair care or makeup application. Since the body will be cremated without first having a viewing ceremony, these services are unnecessary.
You do not need to purchase a casket for the cremation process. You can instead choose to place the body in a special cardboard box known as an “alternative container.” This saves the expense of buying an expensive casket.
The actual cremation arrangements can be made directly with a crematory or at a funeral home. Some funeral homes do the cremation themselves; while others contract the actual cremation out to a separate crematory.
Direct cremation: a summary of the main steps
- removal of body to funeral home or crematory
- obtain permits and authorization
- body heated in a cremation oven (called a “retort”)
- cremains (i.e. ashes) returned to family
- family can dispose of cremains as they see fit
Most families simply take the cremains home in a cardboard box or urn. Some families will later decide to scatter the cremains at a favorite location, bury them in a cemetery plot, or store them in an urn on the living room mantle. There are lots of options for cremains. Click here to learn more about direct cremation options and prices.
Posted by on January 5, 2009
Many people want to know what services are offered by a funeral home. Funeral homes, cemeteries, and memorial dealers all play an important role in caring for a deceased family member. However, funeral homes normally handle the actual funeral or memorial service.
Different funeral home services
But not all funeral services are like. In fact, funeral homes offer a range of services designed to accommodate different wishes and budgets.
Here are the most common types of services offered at most funeral homes:
· traditional funeral service
· immediate burial
· direct cremation
· cremation with services
· donation
· memorial service
· graveside service
· private service
You should not finalize any funeral arrangements before you understand the goods, services, and costs associated with each option. During the arrangement conference you should ask the funeral director to explain his services and prices in easy-to-understand language so you can make the right decision for your family.
Click to learn more about funeral home services and prices
