Dealing with a death & making funeral or cremation arrangements
Dealing with a bereavement that has recently occurred or is imminent is a highly distressing time. For those who have not had to deal with making the necessary arrangements following a family death, this can be an additional stress, especially with the need to take care of matters promptly.
With funeral expenses potentially running into thousands of dollars, it is essential to research and select a funeral provider carefully. More families are becoming concerned about the cost of a funeral today, making it all the more imperative to conduct research and consider the options available for arranging a funeral within a budget.
If, like many people today, you want a simple, direct cremation at an affordable price, then how do you find a reputable direct cremation provider in your local area?
Opting for a direct cremation
Many local funeral homes in the U.S. offer direct cremation, although they may not generally publicize this service. Funeral homes operate as businesses and, in the main, seek to maximize the profit they can make on a funeral.
It can be daunting and intimidating to contact several local funeral homes in search of one that offers a simple, low-cost cremation. A direct cremation is the least expensive funeral disposition arrangement.
Should I compare prices between funeral homes?
As mentioned above, it is generally recommended to compare prices for a cremation between cremation providers and funeral homes. All funeral homes are obligated by law (FTC Funeral Rule) to disclose prices from their General Price List (GPL) to consumers either by phone, on their website, or in person.
If you are researching online, you may have found that many funeral home websites do not disclose the process online.
If you phone or email a funeral home to inquire about cremation prices, be sure to request a complete price quote and use the correct terminology to ensure you receive the correct price for the service you require.
Check what is included and what is not. Death certificates and cremation permits are generally not included in the direct cremation price. However, some cremation providers may offer a package for direct cremation that includes the cost of the permit and two to three death certificates.
The DFS Memorials network was established to remove the need for making several phone calls to compare prices. We do that for you. Each local area DFS Memorials funeral home is selected for the network based on fulfilling the requirements to offer a ‘best value’ basic cremation for the area.
DFS Memorials – the network of independent, low-cost cremation providers
DFS Memorials is a network of licensed, local funeral homes that offer affordable cremation services. The network operates in the U.S. and Canada and is a collaboration of licensed funeral providers who believe that people are entitled to quality funeral services at an affordable price.
All providers in the network are experienced, family-oriented funeral businesses that offer a fixed price for a simple, direct cremation. No additional extras unless you specifically request them.
A direct cremation does not include a memorial service for the deceased. A basic direct cremation package will generally include the collection of the remains, the completion of all necessary documentation, the cremation of the remains, and the return of the cremated remains to the family within 5-7 days (in a basic cremation urn).
If you are looking for a direct cremation at an affordable cost, then visit the DFS Memorials website and search for the low-cost cremation provider in your local area.
The site will help you identify the low-cost cremation funeral provider nearest to you. The ethos of the DFS Memorial Network is to connect people with a trusted and licensed, low-cost provider at their time of need, and to make the process of selecting a funeral provider affordable and straightforward.
Low-cost cremations in the U.S start from $795, depending on which state you are in. Generally, the cost in most cities ranges from $795 to $995, although some cities are more expensive.
Can I still have a funeral service if I choose direct cremation?
Yes, you can still arrange to conduct a memorial service once you have the cremated remains returned to you by the funeral home. This can take place at your place of worship, community center, at home, or anywhere you choose.
This can significantly help to keep costs down, and it can be more personal if the family gathers to arrange their own memorial instead of letting a funeral home lead it.
Is there assistance to help families with cremation costs?
In all honesty, there is limited financial assistance to help families with their funeral expenses. This inconsistency is also evident across the states. A few states provide some financial aid alongside Medicaid, but in many states, the criteria to qualify for financial assistance mean that many families do not receive much help.
In this situation, the best thing to do is to try to arrange a low-cost direct cremation and hopefully spread the cost between family members. In many cases, a funeral director will not proceed with cremation or collection arrangements until the full fee for a direct cremation has been paid upfront.
Simple cremation from the Medical Examiner’s office
If the deceased was transferred to the Medical Examiner, and you are seeking a quick and simple cremation once the body is released. In that case, you can generally arrange a budget direct cremation, often at a lower cost than a direct cremation with collection from an institution or residential address.
This is because the local funeral homes have relationships with the Medical Examiner to obtain cremation permits and have the body released. The ME’s office has staff to assist with the transfer of the body to the funeral director, so the cost for collection can be less.
Understanding Cremation Costs Near You
The resources below can help you quickly determine what to expect in terms of a ‘fair’ direct cremation price in your state and city.
You can visit DFS Memorials – Provider Search to find locations and cremation prices near you. Alternatively, we have an article on US Funerals Online that provides an overview of typical direct cremation costs by state.
