However, it also has to do with the fact that cremation options are much more affordable than traditional burials. That being said, they can still represent a large cost for the average person.
So, what are some of the most affordable cremation options in 2024? And how can you save money on this important process?
If you want to discover the answer to these questions, you’re in the right place. This guide will briefly discuss the costs associated with cremation options and how you can find the best one for your budget.
There are three main types of cremations that you can choose from. The most affordable option is a direct cremation. In this type of procedure, the body of the deceased is cremated directly after they pass away.
It’s more affordable because it doesn’t include a ceremony or low-cost funeral and the body isn’t required to be embalmed. All you need to pay for is the cost of the cremation and the urn itself.
In some cases, there might be some additional cremation costs, like transportation, permits, and shipping. This option is popular for people without many family members or friends. It’s also common for people who want to have a private ceremony away from the funeral home.
Another option is a memorial service. With this choice, you can do a small service without the body or ashes being present. This option is nice because it allows friends and family to pay their respects without having to prepare the body for a viewing.
The last option is a traditional funeral. This is the most expensive option because you need to organize an event and embalm the body. Then, once the funeral ceremony is over, the individual will be cremated.
There’s also a fourth cremation option which we’ll get into in another section. Make sure to check out this guide to learn more about the different types of cremation.
If you need an affordable cremation, you might be wondering what you can do to keep costs down. Cremation costs are influenced by a variety of factors.
Some of these factors you can control; others are out of your hands. In this section, we’ll go over these factors so you can begin estimating how much the cremation process will cost you.
Where you live can have a big influence on the cost of your cremation. And it’s not just state-to-state, it’s city-to-city. And this price difference can often mean the difference between hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
So why does geographic location play an important role in price? Energy costs can certainly have something to do with it. If the energy is more expensive where you live, it’s going to cost more.
The population is a factor too. If you live in an area with few people, there’s likely not much competition between cremation businesses. As such, you can expect the cremation services to be higher.
Sadly, there’s not much you can do about this factor unless you want to transport the body to a different state or city, which will likely cost you.
If you choose to have a funeral service with your cremation, it’s going to cost you a lot more. This cost will come in the form of facilities, embalming, coffins, flowers, food, and drinks on top of the cremation charges.
According to the NFDA, the median cost of a cremation with a funeral was around $6,970. To put that in perspective, our basic cremation package starts at $795.
As such, if you want to save money, your best bet is to forgo large ceremonies. Alternatively, you can host an intimate ceremony at your house or a public location.
It’s an unfortunate fact, but the size of the deceased can affect the price as well. This is true for two reasons. First, it requires more work to transport the body. Second, it requires more energy to cremate the body.
The specific costs associated with the size will depend on the cremation business.
For example, here at Lone Star Cremation, we begin adding additional fees if they’re over two hundred seventy-five pounds, with additional costs for people over four hundred and five hundred pounds. Sadly, there’s nothing you can do about this if the deceased was overweight.
Tons of additional services can cause a cremation to quickly get more expensive. On their own, these services don’t cost much, but they can quickly add up. Some of the common ones include:
If you’re worried about affording the cremation, consider discussing which of these additional services you could do without.
The death of a loved one can be shocking and traumatic for many families. Sadly, many cremation companies try to take advantage of this by upselling you on services you don’t need.
The good news is that the FTC passed the Funeral Rule which grants you rights when shopping for a funeral. Specifically, funeral and cremation services can’t keep their cremation prices from you. They’re required to provide you with what’s known as a General Price List (or a GPL).
This is a list that spells out the cost of all of their services, products, and fees. This price list is the first way you can save money on cremations. Shop around to get price estimates from different funeral homes.
Pick the option that provides transparent pricing at a great rate. For example, here at Lone Star Cremation, we provide some of the best pricing packages in the state. If you want to save money, you can also buy or make an urn on your own.
You can typically find them at a more affordable price when you go through an outside vendor. Lastly, if you need a casket for a service, consider renting it instead of buying it.
There are many different things you can do with ashes. Many people choose to keep them at home. However, if you want to do this, you will likely need to invest in a proper urn to display them.
Scattering or spreading the ashes is also common. While this option sounds easiest, keep in mind that it can be a little complicated. Many local governments have different laws about where you can and can’t spread the ashes.
In some cases, you might need to invest in a permit or spread them on private land that you own. Make sure to check out this guide to learn the proper way to spread ashes. Some other things you can do with ashes include:
If you have the money, some people even shoot their loved one’s ashes into outer space. There’s no right or wrong way to keep or scatter ashes. Ideally, your loved one will give you an idea of what they prefer. However, if you weren’t left with any instructions, do your best remembering your loved one in your own way.
In some cases, you might not even be able to afford the cost of a direct cremation. If you fall in this category, you might want to consider a fourth cremation option: donating the body to science.
There are a variety of different organizations that you can reach out to. Just keep in mind that there’s no guarantee that they’ll accept them. Some clinics might not accept deceased individuals with any infectious diseases.
Others might deny bodies based on their BMIs. However, if your application is accepted, the organization will create the body for you and return it without charging you a fee.
This is also a good option for people who want to contribute to scientific advancement, regardless of the cost-saving factors. If your application gets denied, your best bet is setting up a payment plan, or liquidating your loved one’s assets to cover the costs.
We hope this guide helped you learn more about the affordable cremation options in 2024. All too often, disreputable funeral homes will try to take advantage of families in a vulnerable position by upselling them on cremation.
Here at Lone Star Cremation, this goes against everything we stand for. We want our cremation offerings to be both convenient and practical while remaining affordable for the average family.
So if you’re ready to let our family help yours during this difficult time, contact us today to get started.
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