Cremation Cost

When coping with the loss of a loved one, families are frequently faced with difficult decisions, including the issue of cremation cost. Today, many people opt for cremation because it tends to be the less expensive option.

With the average funeral involving a burial costing $5,000 to $6,000, the costs for cremation are in many cases less than half of that, making cremation a sensible option for families coping with the unexpected burden of costs associated with a loved one’s death. The national average for cremation costs is around $1,500 to $2,000, though this cost can vary widely depending on the exact services included.

How much can you expect the cremation costs to be? There is no one answer to this question, because of the many options involved. When you are determining cremation costs, be sure that you are aware of what services are included. There will be a number of required fees, such as those for obtaining a death certificate and transporting your loved one’s body to the place of cremation. These are typically paid separately from the cremation costs charged by the funeral home or crematory, although in many cases the bill will include charges from outside vendors so that families aren’t overwhelmed by the number of bills coming in the mail.

When cremation is chosen, many of the costs of a ground burial can be avoided entirely. These include embalming service, flower arrangements, the funeral procession, headstones or grave markets, visitation or viewing services, and the expense of digging and refilling the grave site. However, there are still some costs to take into account.

The cremation costs are dependent on your family’s plans for your loved one’s body and ashes. In addition to the cremation itself, many families also purchase an urn in which to keep their loved one’s ashes. There may also be costs associated with burying or scattering your loved one’s ashes (or cremains). If your loved one’s ashes will be buried at a cemetery, note that the grave or burial vault is usually less expensive than the one required for burial in a casket because it is smaller in size. If you plan to scatter your loved one’s ashes rather than burying them, there will be no burial fee but you may need to account for other costs, such as travel expenses.

Cremation costs are typically lower than those of a traditional burial, through specifying an exact amount that you can expect to pay for a cremation depends on your family’s decisions. Cremation can be an affordable option, allowing families to meet the last wishes of their loved ones without creating an unmanageable financial burden. If you are interested in learning more about cremation costs, a cremation provider can help you consider your options and decide what is appropriate for you and your family, while working within your budget.