If you are looking at considering cremation for a loved one or a friend who has passed on, you are likely already going through a hard time, but looking for an affordable cremation service does not have to be hard as well.
As of 2020, 56% of Americans are cremated, with the cremation rate growing approximately 17% by 2030 to 73%. This means more than half of Americans are choosing cremation services over burial services, and nearly three-quarters of Americans will choose to cremate their loved ones within the next ten years.
This is a huge change from the past twenty years, with more Americans burying their deceased than cremating them, with 61.4% choosing burial over cremation in 2005 alone. It is projected to decrease even 16% further by 2040.
Below we will cover everything you need to know about cremation and finding an affordable, quality cremation service.
Cremation is the process of turning a dead body to ash in a cremation chamber. High temperatures burn the body until reduced to ashen particles through pulverization.
Once the body is cremated, the ashes can be scattered, buried, or kept in an urn. Some people even keep their loved ones close through cremation jewelry, which is when the ashes of the deceased are placed inside a small compartment or even infused with the jewelry’s makeup. Others are being memorialized through tattoos, planting trees, and more.
There are several reasons why people are turning to cremation rather than alternative services. A few reasons may include:
· Cost: One major reason is that cremation is cheaper than funeral services, leaving it a much more affordable option for Americans. According to one news report, funerals done in 2016 cost an average of $8000 and are still rising, whereas direct cremation costs $2400. This is less than one-third the cost of burying your loved one.
· Convenience: It can be hard to plan a funeral, even if the death is expected. Loved ones sometimes move away from their hometown, and cremation allows their remains to be transported home much easier. Cremation also makes it easier for families to schedule services at a more convenient time for them.
· Environmental Awareness: Others choose cremation to mitigate their environmental impact. Traditional burials use tons of resources, such as woods and metals, while the embalmed bodies release toxins into the air. When it comes to cremation, there is no concern about space and the resources used are much more minimal.
No matter how you plan to memorialize your loved one, an important first step in the cremation process is to find an affordable cremation service. There are three types of services:
· Direct cremation: This is the most affordable option with the body being cremated immediately after death. As such, there is no funeral service and no costly features that drive up the price of normal funerals, such as embalming, cosmetology, and transportation of the body.
· Funeral service followed by cremation: This service takes place within days after the death and usually requires a cremation or rental casket. The cremation casket is specifically designed for the cremation process, which takes place soon after the funeral. This service takes place as a normal funeral, with a viewing of the body, except the body is cremated afterwards rather than buried.
· Cremation followed by memorial service: With this service, the body is cremated within days following the death, and the memorial takes place several days after that, usually at a church, funeral home, park, or some place meaningful. It may then end with the scattering of ashes or the burial of the urn.
If you are on a tight budget, direct cremation is likely the best option for you. However, if you have some money to spare, and absolutely cannot bear the thought of not commemorating your loved one in some way, you may want to include a funeral or memorial. Whichever option you end up choosing, it is all about what is best for you and your family.
The average national cost of cremation is between $3000 and $4000, which is half the price of a normal burial service. The exact price varies depending on the service being given.
Direct cremation is of course the cheapest, with the typical cost being between $800 and $4000. These costs range depending on location. With direct cremation, you are simply paying for the cremation itself.
If you wish for a funeral service followed by cremation, you will be paying for the cremation itself and a lot more. You will need to pay the cost of preparing and embalming the body for viewing. They may also be cremated in a cremation casket, which typically costs around $500 to $600. You may opt to rent a casket instead, but even that can cost between $400 and $600.
If you opt for a memorial service after the cremation, you will be paying the cremation cost and likely for an urn as well. Urns can range from as little as $50 to as much as $1000. Memorial services tend to cost less than funeral services since there is more control over the ceremony, and thus, the price. Funeral homes may offer you all kinds of different urns, including companion urns, biodegradable urns, wooden urns, and more.
If you are looking for cremation arrangements and are in the Western Washington counties of King, Pierce, Kitsap, or Thurston, look no further than Cremation Plus. Here at Cremation Plus, we cut out the middleman and perform all services ourselves, saving you plenty of money in the process. Look through our available packages to find the best option for you. We want to ease your burden so you can have the necessary time to grieve your loved one.
Contact us today to have an affordable, quality cremation service for your loved one.
