Cremation Expenses: Cost Breakdown And Guide For Cremation

Planning for the last goodbye for your loved ones is very difficult. At the same time, you are emotionally sad because your loved one has died. But you have to think about the final process for the deceased. And in this situation, you have to be mentally and financially strong for the cremation expenses. Some people prefer to do the burial process and others choose the process of cremation. We will try to explain the cremation process in every possible way, in easy-to-understand terms, by comparing all the options available in the market and showing you how to find the least expensive cremation options available to you.

Simply Explaining The Cremation Process

Cremation is a type of process for deceased people. It is followed by many religions and traditions. Some religions and traditions prefer the burial process in which the deceased person is buried in the ground, whether in simple clothes or in a casket. Whereas, cremation is a process where the body of a deceased one is burnt and then there remainings are poured down to flowing river.

What Are The Cremation Expenses?

Pricing for the cremation expenses process varies by many factors, which can reduce and increase the prices for it. As the national financial directors state, traditional burial costs average more than the cremation process. And that is the reason why it is rising day by day.  However, cremation costs vary by region, as stated earlier. For example, urban areas like Phoenix may have higher operational and regulatory costs that influence pricing.

Here is a breakdown of cremation expenses

1. Direct cremation

Direct process has no service included in it. And that is the reason it is not that expensive. Meanwhile, the direct cremation expenses process ranges from $800 dollars to $2000 according to official directions. But keep in mind it can vary by region.

Direct cremation include following factors.

• Transportation of the body
• Filing paperwork and permits
• The cremation process
• A basic container
• Return of ashes in a simple urn

2. Cremation with a memorial service

When you go for some additions to the cremation process, the pricing may increase, as the memorial service includes sharing memories, video and photos, and time for the people to gather for the final goodbyes to the deceased. So, it can cost from $2000 us dollars to $4000 thousand dollars and it can change depending on the region’s regulations.

Memorial service cremation includes the following factors

• A memorial service
• Facility rental
• Printed materials
• Staff services

3. Traditional Funeral with cremation

Traditional cremation expenses are very expensive compared to all other cremation processes because they are followed by some traditional processes such as gathering people, saying the funeral prayers, playing the memories and even arranging music systems for the process. So, it can start from $4000 dollars to $5000 thousand US dollars, according to the NFDA.

A traditional funeral with cremation prices includes the following things

• Casket boxes
• Viewing arrangements
• Embalming for body preservation
• Funeral ceremony
• Cremation process 
• Return of Ashes

Why Is Cremation So Expensive?

Looking forward to understanding why the cremation is so expensive, looking at every side of it, and determining why it is so expensive. So, the following factors are given to understand why it costs a lot.

1. Equipment and facility costs

The process of cremation uses specialized high temperature chambers, which are expensive to maintain. And these facilities should comply with environmental friendly process.

2. Licensing and compliance 

This process has to go through some expensive licensing and compliance regulations, so the funeral homes and crematories must meet state regulations, obtain and follow the strict documentation requirements.

3. Transportation fees

From the hospital to the medical examiners, and then to be transported home. Making it more expensive for the last process.

4. Administrative work

When a person dies, there is certain paperwork that includes death certificates, security cremation authorization, and coordinating all require professional staff.

5. Regional pricing difference

In the cities where higher business operating costs, property expenses, and population demand can increase pricing compared to rural areas. And different regulations depend upon different regions.

Is Cremation More Expensive Than Burial?

When comparing the cremation expenses and burial processes, the burial process is more expensive, followed by the casket, urn, burial ground, and other services. Making it more expensive than other options. On the other side, cremation is less expensive than it, which can range from $1000 US dollars to more than $3000.

Point	Cremation expenses	Burial expenses
Average Cost	$6,000 to $7,000 with service	$8,000 to $10,000+ with service
Lowest Cost Option	Direct cremation: $1,000 to $3,000	Rarely below $7,000
Main Costs	Cremation fee, urn, and service	Casket, burial plot, vault, and headstone
Overall Expense	Usually cheaper	Usually more expensive
Extra Costs	Memorial service	Cemetery fees increase the total cost

What Is The Least Expensive Way To Be Cremated?

As we have discussed all the elements of charges and prices for the cremation. And even compared to the burial options. However, if you want more options for the least expensive way to be cremated. They are mentioned below.

Here are some ways to reduce cremation expenses

• Direct cremation
• Compare multiple providers for cremation service
• Avoid unnecessary add-ons
• Consider the cremation societies 
• Ask about the package deals

Detailed Cremation Price Breakdown

Prices may go down or above depending on the services and regions, so you should keep this in mind. However, the cremation cost breakdown is given below to understand.

Items	Average Cost
Basic services fee	$1,000 to $2,000
Transportation/removal	$200 to $500
Cremation fee	$300 to $600
Basic container	$50 to $300
Urn	$50 to $500 plus
Death certificates	$10 to $30 per copy

Prepay Cremation Expenses: Is it Worth It?

In the prepay cremation, you can lock the prices when you are buying this prepay option. And it is becoming increasingly common. Many providers allow you to lock in current prices through cremation plans

Benefits of prepaying 

• Protects against inflation 
• Allows you to plan your wishes in advance 
• May offer installment payment options
• Reduce financial burden on the family

Conclusion

You now have comprehensive knowledge about the cremation expenses and procedures involved in a low-cost cremation. These mainly depend on the location, service providers, and services selected. However, cremation expenses are comparatively less expensive than burial. Direct cremation is an option if you’re looking for a low-cost method. Organizing a number of service providers can also help you get the best cremation price.

For the best service provided by a reputable company, you can consider PayForFuneral and get the best range of prices.