Cremation: The Affordable Alternative

End-of-life care is expensive. So is planning the final services and preparing a resting place for your loved one. Most of the time, we make these decisions when we are already stressed and grieving, making it more difficult to determine what we purchase and whether it's the best option for our family.

While full-service cremation costs depend on geographic location (and often population density in those areas), the average cost of a traditional cremation with a viewing and funeral service is $4000-7000. While this is still cheaper than most basic funeral services, it can still be expensive for families handling unexpected costs.

The second type of cremation is a cremation with a memorial service. This type differs from full-service cremation methods because it foregoes a traditional funeral. The body is cremated right after death. Instead, the family holds a memorial at the funeral home or venue without a viewing.

In the United States, direct cremation is typically around $1,000-2000, making it significantly cheaper than other options. Direct cremation eliminates the financial burden on families after a loss.

As mentioned above, cremation pricing can vary widely on a few factors. One of which is the location and venue chosen from the service. Another, and arguably just as important factor, is the cost of additional services and products. Most of these aspects are covered in the quoted price. However, it can be helpful to see a breakdown when making choices about what you’d like for yourself or a loved one. Here are some of the most common costs associated with cremation (and funerals at large).

One of the best ways to save money is to do your research on the topic. By reading this article, you’ve already started that part of the process! For most of us, there is a shroud of secrecy and mystery surrounding aspects of death and the aftermath that we don’t always explore. Unfortunately, that can make navigating these aspects confusing when the time comes, especially when that time is often stressful and painful by nature.

If you take the time to understand your options for funeral services, cremation, and all end-of-life care, you can often save money because you will come into the situation better prepared to take care of yourself financially and emotionally.

Not only do you not always have to go with your first option in funeral services, you often shouldn't! That's where comparative shopping can play a huge role in how much you pay for the services you need. Some businesses may advertise a "premiere" price while offering standard (or substandard services). Additionally, you may have to consider insurance coverage when choosing providers – but that shouldn't keep you from researching all your options for the best price.

Often, funeral homes do not list their pricing online. That makes it difficult to compare pricing without calling them for a quote or meeting with them in advance. However, you should be clear that you need to know their pricing if they want your business. Ask for a price list if you visit or one emailed to you if you call.

Did you know that most states do not legally require a body to be embalmed? Many people don't realize that this cultural practice – and many others – are not mandated when determining funeral practices in the United States. One of the best ways to keep your costs low is knowing what is just "industry standard" and what is legally required.

Additionally, this is important when it comes to buying a casket. As per the FTC (federal trade commission), funeral homes must accept caskets purchased from a third party and cannot charge a "handling fee" for those caskets. This is important to recognize, especially when you face expensive casket rental pricing.

Most likely, we aren't in the best frame of mind when shopping for cremation and funeral services. We are grieving and maybe even under duress with the stress of the situation. Sometimes, you may find that less honorable funeral home directors can take advantage of that to upsell grieving clients into buying things they don’t want and don’t need. If you feel pressured during a sales pitch, do not hesitate to step back from the conversation. As we mentioned above, you can always compare pricing. Do not feel obligated to spend more money than you have at any point.

While you can have a memorial service at the funeral home or possibly the crematorium, you may be able to save money by hosting a memorial in an off-site location. There is nothing superior about holding a memorial service with a professional – it is typically only a way to take pressure off the grieving family and allow a third party to handle the organization. If you feel like you can emotionally handle the stress, you can save costs on finding another place for your friends and family to gather.

If you belong to a church, you can see if they will allow you to use their facilities for a memorial service. You may be able to rent out a room in a restaurant for a dinner or other meeting. Alternatively, there is nothing wrong with holding a memorial service in your home – or another person's home – for this purpose.

You may also forgo a full memorial service in favor of an outdoor ash scattering service or an informal gathering.

Much like caskets, you are not beholden to purchasing an urn with the entity that handles the cremation. Urns often serve as an extension of the loved one, celebrating their uniqueness and personality while still conforming to an aesthetic in your home. Many times, you'll find that the urn options presented by a cremation company do not suit your needs (or your budget). If so, you should not hesitate to look beyond those options and find something that works best for you and the memory of the deceased.

You can find urns in many colors, shapes, and even sizes. You may even want to look at cremation jewelry as an option if you're considering scattering or burying the cremains.

If you are considering cremation but need to further cut costs, you may want to think about an alternative – body donation. Donating your loved one's body to a reputable scientific organization will eliminate most costs for funerals and cremation services. This is not an option for everyone, nor should you feel like you must do it if money is tight. However, it does offer a way to cut costs and provide a service for the greater good of society.

One of the best things you can do for your family is to pre-plan your funeral. Not only does it allow you complete control over what is done to your body once you are gone, but it also helps ease the financial burden on those left behind. You can pre-pay for services and make arrangements years in advance. It puts complete control into your hands.

We do advise that you include this in your will if you choose to do so. This can be especially important if you are considering cremation for yourself, as you will have a legal document detailing exactly what you want and how you’d like to proceed.

Now that we've covered the types of cremation services and their costs, let's discuss the types of cremations available. There are two types of cremation: traditional cremation and bio-cremations. While they are both comparable in price, they are very different techniques. Each has its benefits and drawbacks depending on where you live and how you feel about sustainability and pollution.

When considering cremation, the topic of cost often comes up. This is because cremation is seen as a cheaper alternative to traditional burials. However, you might be wondering how expensive a traditional burial can be to make it a more feasible option.

In 2023, the average cost for a traditional funeral service in the United States is between $7000 and $9000 with a median of $7,360. Much of the cost depends on where in the country you live, however as Hawaii averages at a little under $15,000 for a funeral while one in Mississippi will cost an average of $6,684. Granted, it’s typically true that funerals cost more in urban areas compared to rural ones, leading to differences in pricing.

Additionally, it is important to note that these prices are just guidelines for what you may find. You won't know specifics for funeral homes or crematoriums without asking to see their price list. Some states have laws that require certain services or merchandise to be purchased. These legal requirements can increase the overall cost of cremation. It's important to be aware of these laws and regulations.

You should always ask funeral directors or cremation providers about them if you are unsure. Additionally, it is important to be aware of any additional costs that may come with cremation, such as a death certificate, obituary notices, and any other expenses that may come up during the process.

While pre-paid cremations are comparable in price to standard cremations, you may find providers that offer a discount if you pay in advance. It's no secret that costs for most products, goods, and services are rising each year. When you pre-plan your cremation, you are locked into a price that will not rise or change over the years. While you can typically pay for the service over months or years, you won't have to worry about that number changing or any added interest and taxes.

You might be afraid that choosing cremation – especially direct cremation – for a loved one removes any personalization or care from the process. That's not true. While you may not opt for a funeral service or religious ceremony, you can still add personalization to the process to show your love without spending thousands of dollars.

Whatever you decide, make sure you discuss your plans in full with the funeral director or cremation expert at the time. You'll want to make sure you are adhering to the wishes of your loved one as much as possible!

The only way you will make it through any tragedy is to let yourself feel the loss. While it might be tempting to bottle up your emotions or rely upon stoicism to help you make it through the hardest parts, in the long run, you'll only be hurting yourself. If you need to cry, you should cry. You are allowed to be sad, angry, frustrated, or heartbroken. You may be all of those at the same time. You may not even be able to put words into how you feel.

All of that is okay. Everyone grieves differently. Some of us may want to shout our grief to the world. Some of us may want to keep it to ourselves. Whatever is best for you, do not cut yourself off from those feelings. It’s only through acknowledging them that we fully heal.

Talking to a clergy member (like a pastor or priest) or a mental health professional (like a counselor or therapist) can help you cope with your emotions. They are trained to listen and walk you through your grief without judgment or scorn.

If your grief continues to resurface and causes long-term depression symptoms, talk to your doctor. Ongoing depression after a loss may need medical treatment, especially if your symptoms prevent you from carrying out daily tasks.

Grief support groups are a great resource, no matter where you’re at in your grief. Since the people at the support group are also working through grief, you’ll have sympathetic ears that truly understand what you’re going through. You may find one locally for in-person meetings. If not, there are many forums and groups dedicated to talking to others experiencing grief.

If you want to talk to someone anonymously, use a grief support hotline. While their hotline focuses on mental illness and substance abuse, the SAMHSA helpline is a useful resource for people grieving a loss. If you are having a mental health crisis, their hotline at 1-800-662-4357 is available to point you to the right resources.

Take some time to talk to a close family member or friend about how you’re feeling. Since they are already familiar with your situation and your grief, they can listen to how you’re feeling without the need to explain the history of your loss.

Writing a letter to your loved one or writing in a grief journal is a great way to process your emotions. If you're worried about someone reading your personal thoughts, you can always shred or burn the pages later. For more guidance on learning how to use writing as a tool to help your grief, check out our guide to grief journaling.

Many people find comfort in activities their loved ones once enjoyed. For example, a son or daughter might try gardening or go fishing if their mother or father loved to do those things. Maybe your mother loved to hike or bake? You may find solace in doing those things for her. Whatever the activity is, enjoy spending time remembering your loved one while experiencing their favorite activity.

When we are grieving, it’s easy to ignore our personal needs. Getting lost in grief isn’t healthy but it’s also not unusual, especially not in the first days or weeks after losing a loved one. That’s why it’s especially important to take care of ourselves at this time. You should be getting enough sleep, eating properly, and getting in some activity or exercise daily (even if it is just taking a walk or stretching regularly). These things are crucial for your physical and mental well-being.

If you continue to struggle, don’t do it alone. Reach out to your friends, family members, or even professionals. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. We all go through difficult times. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is to admit that you can’t do it alone.