Direct Cremation Services

 

direct cremation tree

It's no secret: direct cremation services rates continue to soar, and one of the reasons for its growing popularity has to do with its lower cost of cremation. For families and individuals concerned about the cost of end-of-life care, we're here to say direct cremation could be their best option. If you'd like to know more about this affordable cremation option, we urge you to read further. You'll discover the answer to the question "what is direct cremation?", and learn exactly what services are included when you select direct cremation over other cremation service alternatives.

Low Cost Cremation Services

NBC Anchor Tyler Mathisen, in "Cremation is the Hottest Trend in the Funeral Industry" (published online in January of 2013) simply says "Cremation is cheaper than burial". He goes on to tell his readers: "The average cost of a funeral today is about $6,500, including the typical $2,000-or-more cost of a casket. Add a burial vault, and the average jumps to around $7,700. A cremation, by contrast, typically costs a third of those amounts, or less." For families and individuals concerned about the cost of end-of-life care, we're here to say direct cremation could be their best option.

What's Included in Direct Cremation?

Here's the truth of direct cremation: it involves only the minimal services required. That is to say, when you choose this most basic cremation alternative, only the following services will be provided:

What are the Additional Benefits of Direct Cremation?

While the low cost of direct cremation is certainly a benefit, and for many it's the primary benefit; there are others you should also consider. When you select direct cremation for a loved one (or as part of your pre-arrangement planning):

low cost cremation services fence

Let's Briefly Talk about the Funeral Rule

Did you know, when you're shopping for funeral service providers–including those offering direct cremation–you're protected by something called the Funeral Rule? Enacted by the Federal Trade Commission in 1984 (and amended some ten years later), the Funeral Rule was intended to ensure American consumers receive enough factual information about the goods and services available to them from a funeral home or direct cremation provider. Here are the important points about the Funeral Rule you'll want to be aware of:

  1. You have the right to select only the low cost cremation services and products you want.
  2. You do not have to pay for embalming unless you've authorized it.
  3. When choosing direct cremation, you do not have to buy a casket.
  4. Prior to the arrangement conversation, a cremation or funeral provider is required to give you a set of documents, including the General Price List, the Casket Price List, and the price list for outer Burial Vaults.
  5. You are allowed to get pricing information over the phone. This makes shopping for cremation services easier on everyone in the family.
  6. You must receive a detailed written statement of the exact goods and services you are buying immediately upon completing cremation or funeral arrangements.

The Funeral Rule makes it possible for you to compare prices between funeral service providers, but you should be aware the "rule does not apply to third-party sellers, such as casket and monument dealers, or to cemeteries that lack an on-site funeral home." (For more information on the Funeral Rule, consult the Federal Trade Commission.)

How to Begin

Assess which factors are most important to you (see Making the Decision for guidelines). If you (or your family) are struggling with making the cremation decision, or would like more information about direct cremation, we invite you to call us at 1-866-748-3625 to discuss your cremation options in greater detail.

Online Sources:
Raymond, Chris, "What is Direct Cremation?", About.com, accessed 2014