What is the average cost of a cremation?

Talking about funerals and cremations, it might not sound that expensive at first thought. But in reality, it incurs a lot of expenses based upon the choice and type of cremation we do. As days pass on, the cost of funerals keep rising because of the price inflations in the economy. The average cost of a cremation is decided by multiple factors like the place of cremation, service provider, events, and properties included in the whole funeral ceremony.

Cremation cost by type of service

Based upon the type of service we choose, the cost of cremation could range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars. Based on the number of events involved, funeral directors fee, and the services provided, the cost of cremations can very. They can easily be distinguished into three main types.

• Simple and direct cremations
• Traditional cremations
• Cremations with memorial service

1.Simple and direct cremations (Cost: $1000-$2500)

This type of cremation is a cost-effective way for people who look for a simple and respectful send-off ceremony. It involves manageable expenses which are not so lavish and luxurious. For the common people who can’t afford big rituals at the funeral, this direct cremation service serves as the respectful plan for funerals. 

 The major services included in this direct cremations plan are:

• Crematorium assistance
• Backup in paperwork
• Collection of the deceased 
• Coffin service (if needed)
• Crematorium service
• Transportation
• Ash delivery 
• Staff assistance for the ceremony

Points to note

• The body is cremated in a simple container/coffin without any expensive caskets.
• Involves no traditional funeral events.
• Funeral events (if any) are done simply at home or in a church. 

2. Traditional cremations (Cost: $6000-$8000)

This can be considered as an expensive funeral method as it includes all the traditional events and other custom funeral requirements by the client. If you expect to have a funeral with gathering, flower arrangements, and many a rituals, then this is the type of cremation you should opt for. Moreover, if you want expensive urns, decorations and farewell kind of events in your funeral then this cost can move up further. Similar to burials, this type of cremation involves various rituals for the deceased like embalming, singing hymns by professional vocalists, reading sacred text, etc. It comprises of four major occasions: 

• Visitation/wakes
• Gathering 
• Cremation
• Memorial service and farewell

Apart from the expenses for organizing these events, it also adds the cost of other materials used, transportation of the body, crematorium fee, etc. That is why this type of cremation method is quite expensive than the direct one. 

3. Cremation with Memorial service (Cost: $4000-$8000)

It is a combination of the traditional and the direct cremation methods. It avoids all the lavish expenses in the traditional cremations like embalming or use of luxury materials, and instead focuses on the post-cremation memorial service provided. The deceased body is cremated through simple procedures like the direct methods. After this, a memorial ceremony is organized for the ash scattering or burial. Some of the popular memorial services are:

• Scattering the ashes on the beach.
• Ash burial and planting a tree above it.
• Sending the ashes in a hot air balloon.
• Sending the ashes in the air through fireworks.

BREAKDOWN OF AVERAGE CREMATION COST

1. Funeral Director’s fee: $1500 – $8000
2. Crematorium charges: $200  – $400
3. Coffin: $2500 and above
4. Cremation caskets: $400 – $600
5. Urn charges: upto $1000
6. Embalming, if required: approx. $750
7. Transportation: $150 and above
8. Staff service charges: $500 and above
9. Delivery of remains: $250 and above
10. Funeral event: $2000 and above
11. Flower decorations: $70- $250
12. Memorial prints: around $150
13. Preparation of the body (grooming the deceased, casketing): $250 and above
14. Memorial service: $150
15. Paperwork (custom charges)

How to save the most on the funeral expenses?

Apart from the distinguishing features, there are some common expenses that come with all cremation methods like funeral directors charges, crematorium charges, transportation, and so on. These expenses are inevitable to avoid in a funeral plan; rather, you can cut the charges in the additional services if you want to save some money. Also, going with a good funeral service with cost-effective plans is a better way to save all the big expenses in cremations. 

All these funeral methods are targeted to provide a happy send-off to our loved ones. Cremations are not just about the cost but also about the social acknowledgment of a life spent amongst us. Thus it is better to plan things much before to find the right cremation service as per our affordability and needs.