The Ultimate Guide on Direct Cremation and Its Costs
Direct cremation is a procedure where no ceremony is performed beforehand, no funeral service, and no attendees. The ashes, after being cremated, are returned to the family. It is often the cheapest option offered by funeral directors compared to other traditional options like burial. However, the cremation costs in Florida are still high for many people. Let us see a complete cost breakdown of cremations in Florida.
Direct cremation refers to the simplest cremation available with no funeral services or ceremony beforehand. After death, the deceased body immediately goes to the crematorium to be cremated, usually in a plain, simple coffin. Once cremated, the ashes are returned to the loved ones to be kept according to the wishes of the deceased.
Since it is a no-fuss farewell, direct cremations are becoming increasingly popular. It is also called basic cremation, simple cremation, cremation without ceremony, or unattended cremation. The cremation costs in Florida are lower than other traditional options.
How Does Basic Cremation Work?
Some paperwork needs to be completed before a direct cremation can take place. The cremation provider will let you know what you need to do and guide you through the process. The cremation will be held at a time suitable for a crematorium, and the family will not have the opportunity to attend or view the deceased. The family can then collect the ashes and do as they want. Some funeral providers may also offer to scatter the ashes.
What Happens at a Direct Cremation?
The basic features of a direct cremation include:
- After death, the body goes straight to the crematorium and is cremated, thus eliminating the need for embalming or other preparations for the body.
- Everything takes place in a simple coffin.
- The funeral provider chooses the crematorium where the cremation will take place, but the date and time cannot be selected.
It is a viable option for those who don’t want a traditional funeral service.
Cost of Direct Cremation in Florida
Although the average cost of cremation in Florida is $2,200, it can cost anywhere between $1,000 to $5,490, depending on the provider. Several factors contribute to cremation costs in Florida. The first factor that affects the price of direct cremation is the geographic location due to demographics and the need for services within the market. Another major factor that plays an important role is the add-ons to basic service.
Several funeral homes or cremation providers add additional costs for what appears to be a direct cremation service. This may include handling and preparation fees, which you may not need. Hence, it is important to understand the expected cost of cremation in Florida in order to evaluate when a cremation service is overcharging for unnecessary items.
The cost of a direct cremation in Florida roughly runs in line with the national average of $2,300. However, there are many cremation considerations and options available. Let us see some more information on cremation and funeral costs.
Cremation v/s Funeral Costs: Since funeral costs add significant expenses to the grieving process, the pricing in Florida can run well over $10,000. Funeral prices can range dramatically due to the ceremony and level of service involved.
- A traditional burial with a ceremony costs around $10,700.
- A traditional cremation with a ceremony will cost $5,695.
- A direct burial with no ceremony can go up to $6,501.
- A direct cremation with no ceremony is about $2,200.
Compared to other traditional options, direct cremation is the most affordable one. However, the prices may vary between states and funeral homes. But, the median price for direct cremation is $2,300. You need to check if the pricing of teh funeral home includes filing of paperwork and permits, collection of your loved one, cremation, cremation container, ashes container, and return of the ashes.
This data can help you know the potential expense incurred if you went to work with a funeral home to conduct a ceremony with cremation. Though a direct cremation includes no ceremony, you can still create a meaningful memorial.
Many families in recent years have combined direct cremation with a celebration of life that your loved ones can personalize. This combination allows families to spend money on meaningful memorial activities and save money on additional and expensive funeral home costs such as overpriced caskets, facilities, extra funeral director hours, etc.
Summing Up
To refrain from all these expensive costs, many people in the US and worldwide are opting for the most affordable option, i.e., body donation to science. It frees your loved ones and family from almost all of the financial burden that traditional funerals and cremations place on them. It is a completely stress-free and cost-free approach for your family. Many body donation programs provide information that takes care of everything after you have dedicated teams that make the process easy for you and as straightforward as possible during a difficult time for your family.