Direct Cremation Services: Cost-Effective Funeral Choice

Have you ever wondered about the options available for honoring a loved one’s memory without the traditional ceremonies? Direct cremation services offer a simple and cost-effective alternative to conventional funerals, allowing families to say goodbye in a more private and personal way. But what exactly is direct cremation, and how does it differ from standard cremation practices?

What is Direct Cremation services?

“Direct Cremation”, is also referred to as “Simple Cremation” or “Immediate Cremation” where cremation takes place immediately after death without any arrangement of a public funeral service. Aspects of a Direct Cremation services can include:

• Cremation is done at the time of death, and the ashes are buried in a family plot, tomb, or cemetery. This allows you to contact a crematory service, such as the Cremation Society of America, without going through a funeral home.
• The deceased is buried in a simple crematory instead of a fancy casket
• As for Direct Cremation, this service entails no prior visitation, wake, or viewing before the cremation, so there is no need to preserve the body for a longer duration.

A Direct Cremation allows the family the option for a memorial service or even multiple memorial services the family can choose the date, time, and location of the service saving them from the cost of a casket and funeral services. If you decide to conduct some service before the cremation, you would be in a position of having done “traditional cremation” rather than Direct Cremation.

Sometimes people mistake the term ‘Direct Cremation’ as meaning that the corpse is taken from the place of death and rushed straight to the cremation chamber. This is not true. Death Certificates, contracts, and state-required permits must all be completed before the cremation can occur or be scheduled, often several days later.

Why Choose Direct Cremation services? 

There are many reasons why someone may prefer to have a direct cremation. First, it is often less expensive than other funeral arrangements. This is partly due to the lack of a service and body transportation, which reduces the price. The cost varies depending on location but can be three times less than a traditional funeral. 

Another reason for choosing direct cremation services is that there is no need for embalming or other preparation for viewing. The body goes directly from the place of death to the crematorium, and cremation begins following the completion of the necessary paperwork. 

Direct cremation also means that some people may not want to take on the financial burden of funeral services if they’re struggling financially or unemployed. 

Finally, some people choose direct cremation because they want something simple and private like a memorial service without the fuss and expense of a traditional burial service with visitation hours before the ceremony. 

How to Arrange Direct Cremation services?

There are different ways through which you can arrange for a direct cremation and this can either be with a crematory directly or through a funeral home. Crematories offer all of the services that are essential to a direct cremation services:

•  Transportation – moving the body from the scene of the death incident to the cremation site.
• Legal formalities of funerals- such as preparing and completing the legal documents that include a death certificate.
• Casket – The crematory offers its cremation casket for temporary use or will accept one from a family member/non-professional provider (as long as it meets the requirements).
• Cremation – Final undertaking which results in cremated remains. There are two types of cremation that are common in many states; flame-based cremation and the other one being alkali hydrolysis.
• Taking of cremated ashes – The ashes of a cremated body are placed in a box or urn and handed to the family.

The funeral service providers may also own and operate the crematory equipment. This is because it is a very convenient way by which families can make all the necessary arrangements with the funeral director. The funeral home, however, may put forward a lower non-declinable price for their fundamental services as part of the cost of direct cremation.

Things About Direct Cremation That You Should Know

While planning a funeral you should not bother about cremation services. At this point, the family is faced with the question of whether the remains of the deceased should be cremated or buried. If you choose the first option you might be interested in the details which are associated with direct cremations. These are cremations in which the body is directly cremated without any funeral service before the cremation. Here is what you should bear in mind.

– You Have Options

When choosing direct cremation there are lots of rules that crematories have to follow. You do not have to buy a casket or an urn. According to the law, crematory services must let you provide your urn or container for the cremated remains. This is useful if you want a specific solution already in mind, and need a more defined approach to your project.

– They’re Private

These cremations are very private because, unlike traditional services that take place before cremation, there are no funeral services. This means people might not know the deceased is dead until you inform them. It could be the desire of the individual who owns the property or the deceased person. Death is something that affects all persons and each person handles it in this way. Privacy is the optimal solution for some families.

– They’re Affordable

Direct cremation is the cheapest of all the options one is likely to take after the death of a loved one. This is so because normally you do not spend any money on a memorial service. You can use an urn which the family might already have or purchase one from a funeral home. Thus, when one of your family members dies, one might realize that it can take ages for the finances to get back on track. When going through the process of direct cremation, you can cut down on certain expenses.

If you choose a direct cremation, no service is preceding and the cremated ashes of your loved one will be provided to you. However, this does not imply that you cannot have a memorial at a different period.

– They’re Common

Cremations are common. Millions of people are cremated every year. One of the advantages is that because the body is not tied to a specific burial plot, your grief doesn’t have to be tied to any location. You can take the urn with you rather than visit a graveyard at regular intervals. In some cultures, cremations are far more common than funerals. There are different spiritual beliefs.

– There’s No Wait

Direct cremations occur almost immediately after death. Because there will be no wake or viewing, the body doesn’t need to be embalmed. This quick process can help you make sense of your grief. There’s nothing to dwell on. When you have the ashes, you can do whatever you want.

Difference Between Cremation and Direct Cremation

Cremation:

• Involves ceremonies like viewings or funerals before the body is cremated.
• The body may be embalmed and placed in a casket.
• Ashes are collected and can be buried, placed in a columbarium, or scattered.

Direct Cremation:

• No ceremonies or viewings; the body is cremated shortly after death.
• The process is simpler and often more affordable.
• Ashes are returned to the family for final arrangements.

How much is a direct cremation?

The average basic cost of a funeral is now over £4,000, while the average cost of a direct cremation is comparatively low at around £1,500.

If cost is a determining factor for you in your choice of funerals, then a direct cremation could help save a considerable amount.

Find out how much a funeral could cost in your area with our funeral cost calculator.

Conclusion: 

• In choosing direct cremation, families can focus on what truly matters: celebrating the life of their loved one in a meaningful and personalized manner. This option provides flexibility and affordability, catering to the diverse needs and preferences of today’s families. Could direct cremation services be the right choice for your family’s needs and wishes?
  
  References:
  
  https://www.wilescremationcare.com/what-is-direct-cremation-and-how-does-it-work
  
  https://goinghomecremations.com/what-is-involved-in-a-direct-cremation-in-florida/
  
  https://www.griecofunerals.com/what-is-direct-cremation-and-why-it-may-be-right-for-you#:~:text=There%20are%20many%20reasons%20why,need%20for%20embalming%20or%20casket.