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10 Tips for Choosing Cremation Services

Have you recently lost a loved one? Did they opt for a cremation in their will? If so, you might be searching for cremation services.

The question is: how do you choose the right cremation services? There are a number of things you need to take into consideration, all of which we’re going to discuss below. Without further ado, here are 10 tips for choosing the right cremation service in Mansfield TX.

1. Browse a Search Engine

Our first tip is to browse a search engine like Google or Bing. Type in something like “cremation services near me” or “[your town] cremation services.” This will return a list of such services in your area.

Next to each option on the list will be a star rating, not to mention a link leading to various customer reviews. You should use these ratings and reviews to gauge the quality of each option. You should then narrow your options down to the top 3 to 5.

Write your final options down on a piece of paper. You’ll be comparing them in greater detail below.

Note that customer reviews are often useful for answering specific questions. If you need an answer on something in particular, these are where you should look.

2. Gauge Experience

Once you have your final options in front of you, you should gauge their experience. You should never use a cremation company with little experience. Cremation is a serious matter and demands someone who knows exactly what they’re doing.

If a company has little experience in the matter of cremations, they’re likely going to be lacking in some way. For instance, their customer service could be less-than-stellar, especially when you consider how delicate a time this is for the customer.

We recommend choosing a company with a minimum of 2 years of experience. That said, the longer the company’s been in business, the safer a bet it is.

3. Ask About Prices

Not all cremation services are priced equally. In fact, there can be quite a bit of variation from service to service.

As a customer, you likely don’t have an unlimited budget in front of you. Funeral arrangements can be expensive, after all.

This is why, before agreeing to use a specific cremation service, you need to ask about its prices. There are two general ways to learn about a cremation company’s prices: call it on the phone or visit its website.

Note that many cremation companies offer services in packages. These packages will include a selection of services as a bundle, thus potentially saving you money. Make sure to read through each package carefully to ensure that you’re getting a reasonable deal.

4. Consider Direct Cremation

There are two general options to consider when choosing a cremation. One involves embalming the body, having it placed in a casket, and then having it transported to a funeral home for viewing. The other option simply involves having the body cremated without embalming or a funeral.

The latter option is called direct cremation and it’s the much cheaper option of the two. In most cases, direct cremation will save you several thousands of dollars when compared to full-service cremation.

So, if you’re looking for the cheapest option possible, go with direct cremation. The vast majority of crematoriums offer direct cremation services.

5. Browse Memorial and Add-on Options

Crematoriums don’t just facilitate cremation and funerals. They also sell a variety of memorial items and add-ons. These run the gamut from urns to jewelry to artwork and more.

While these probably aren’t the primary reasons why you would choose a specific cremation service, they are something to consider. After all, each crematorium offers a different selection of memorial and add-on options. You’ll want to use a crematorium with options you like.

You can likely browse the crematorium’s options on their website. There will likely be a ‘Shop’ or ‘Accessories’ page that you can click on. If you can’t find it, just give the crematorium a call instead.

Note that most cremation services sell these items on-site as well. You could visit them in person to get a better feel for what they offer.

6. Ask What’s Offered in Their Services

There are all sorts of things that go into the cremation of a body. It’s not just the cremation itself. It’s also the transportation of the body, the filing of the death certification, and maybe even things like embalming, funeral preparation, and the like.

That said, not every crematorium is going to provide all of the same services without inquiry. This is why, before choosing a cremation service, you need to ask about what services they offer in given packages.

The specifics of this answer could affect your total price. So, it’s important to gain a full understanding before signing any contracts.

7. Inquire About Specifics

When working with a crematorium after a death, there are a number of processes that need to be facilitated. For instance, you have to get the body to the crematorium. There’s a lot that goes into making this happen, and you want to have an idea of what it entails prior to signing any contracts.

This is why, before choosing your cremation service, you need to inquire about specifics. Ask them to give you a rundown of the process so that you know what your responsibilities will be. Most cremation services will give you this rundown proactively without you asking.

If you aren’t comfortable with the way a specific company does things, you can move on to the next one. If you are comfortable, you can proceed with full confidence.

8. Make Sure They’re Able to Offer Guidance When It’s Needed

Even when it’s obviously coming, death is never expected. It could happen at 4:00 PM or 2:00 AM. Regardless, when it does occur, it’s important that the deceased individual’s loved ones have some guidance as to what they should do upon its arrival.

If cremation has been selected by the deceased individual, this guidance should come from the cremation service chosen. This is why, before choosing a cremation service, you need to make sure that the service is able to offer guidance at any time.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that they need to be physically present 24/7. It does, however, mean that they need to have information available to all concerned parties.

These days, this information is likely to be on the cremation service’s website. It should tell you what steps to take, which boxes to tick off, and more.

If it’s not available on the service’s website, you should ask the service for it directly. Have them either email the information to you or give it to you in person. Then, keep it around in a safe place where it can easily be located when it’s time.

Note that if a specific cremation service can’t provide you with this plan of action, you shouldn’t utilize its services. It’s vital that your loved ones have guidance through a difficult time.

9. Call on the Phone

Our next tip is to call the crematorium on the phone. This can help you gauge the manner of the individuals who work at the crematorium. It can help you determine whether they’re warm and friendly or cold and standoffish.

For the purposes of cremation, you want the former, as your loved ones will need someone who is sympathetic to their situation. The last thing they need during a rough time is to have to deal with someone who’s rude and aloof.

When speaking on the phone, make sure to ask questions. This will help you determine just how helpful the service is. If they’re honest and forthright with their answers, they’re probably a safe bet; if they’re reluctant to answer questions, you should avoid them entirely.

10. Inquire About Pre-planning

Because death is so traumatic to the deceased individual’s family members, it’s vital to keep their duties to a minimum after the death has occurred. A great way to facilitate this is to pre-plan cremation and funeral arrangements prior to your own death.

This is why, before hiring a particular cremation service, you need to inquire about pre-planning. Will they help you get everything in order now so that your loved ones only have to do minimal work later? If not, you should look elsewhere.

During the pre-planning process, you can arrange everything from the type of cremation you’ll receive to the memorial accessories you’ll receive to funeral arrangements and much more. You can even put payment information on hold, ensuring that services are paid for without a worry from your family.

Speak with your prospective cremation services to see what they have to say on this matter. Then, pick one you think will do right by you and your family.

Get Reputable Cremation Services Today

Are you still looking for reputable cremation services in Mansfield, TX? If so, look no further than Lone Star Cremation.

When it comes to Mansfield cremation services, we’re the most trusted option around. We’ve been in business since 2004 and offer services that are straightforward, transparent, and affordable.

Contact us now to begin the cremation process.

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