If you’re curious about direct cremation, chances are you’re a little concerned about rising funeral costs.
Or maybe you’re just looking for an affordable option for a funeral.
And while cremation is significantly cheaper than burial, chances are your funeral director is going to try and upsell you on a lot of unnecessary options.
One easy way to stop this is by choosing a direct cremation plan, which is by far the most affordable option.
In this guide, we’ll discuss what’s included, average costs, trustworthy providers, and more.
Recommended Direct Cremation Provider
If you’re looking for a Direct Cremation Provider right now, we highly recommend getting a quote on After.com.
Whether it’s for pre-planning or right now, customer satisfaction with their quick response times, transparency, and fair pricing is very high.
They’re the fastest growing provider in the US and have 3 affordable cremation packages to choose from.
- Arrange everything online within minutes hassle
- Pre planning services as low as $25 per month
- At Need Cremation services start as low as $695
What Is Direct Cremation?
This option is for families who want something modest and are on a budget.
Depending on where you’re located it can also be called a “simple cremation”, “low cost cremation” or a “direct disposal funeral”.
No Memorial Service
In simple terms it is a no-service cremation.
Although a funeral home usually arranges the cremation procedure, there is no viewing, funeral, or memorial service before.
Direct Cremation Services
What’s Included?
It’s a modest option so what is included is very limited:
- The funeral home will pick up the body from the place of death. They will then be delivered to the crematorium.
- After the cremation, you can collect the remains or request they send the ashessomewhere.
- The facility will take care of all the essential paperwork such as permits and death certificates.
Direct Vs Normal Cremation: What You Don’t Get
The expensive elements of a regularcremation are excluded with a low-cost cremation, such as the ones below:
- There is no cost of a memorial service
- An expensive casket is not required
- There is no viewing
- Embalming or cosmetic preparations are not necessary.
- Unless you decide to bury the ashes, there is no plot, digging of the grave, or headstone marker.
Direct Cremation Costs
As in previous years, the cost of cremation can vary significantly from one city to the next.
Prices can range from $500 to $10,000, so be sure to get a few prices from providers.
Average Cost of Direct Cremation in US Cities
| State | Average Cost | Minimum Cost | Maximum Cost |
| Alabama | $2,016 | $600 | $4,375 |
| Alaska | $1,935 | $1,200 | $2,985 |
| Arizona | $1,430 | $400 | $2,890 |
| Arkansas | $1,671 | $595 | $3,595 |
| California | $1,582 | $438 | $4,450 |
| Colorado | $1,683 | $495 | $4,012 |
| Connecticut | $3,150 | $899 | $6,520 |
| Delaware | $2,616 | $1,195 | $5,000 |
| Florida | $1,683 | $484 | $5,190 |
| Georgia | $1,918 | $550 | $4,810 |
| Hawaii | $1,547 | $895 | $3,150 |
| Idaho | $1,700 | $765 | $2,825 |
| Illinois | $2,551 | $695 | $6,045 |
| Indiana | $2,284 | $595 | $5,695 |
| Iowa | $2,992 | $995 | $5,405 |
| Kansas | $2,525 | $695 | $7,245 |
| Kentucky | $2,022 | $690 | $4,450 |
| Louisiana | $2,283 | $610 | $4,149 |
| Maine | $2,347 | $825 | $4,830 |
| Maryland | $2,426 | $695 | $5,065 |
| Massachusetts | $2,696 | $995 | $5,305 |
| Michigan | $2,245 | $695 | $4,495 |
| Minnesota | $2,914 | $995 | $5,545 |
| Mississippi | $1,986 | $300 | $6,860 |
| Missouri | $1,845 | $597 | $4,780 |
| Montana | $2,478 | $995 | $4,090 |
| Nebraska | $2,969 | $995 | $5,100 |
| Nevada | $1,428 | $559 | $2,370 |
| New Hampshire | $2,176 | $1,275 | $4,738 |
| New Jersey | $2,505 | $786 | $5,810 |
| New Mexico | $1,940 | $725 | $3,700 |
| New York | $2,391 | $555 | $9,800 |
| North Carolina | $1,914 | $500 | $4,900 |
| North Dakota | $3,183 | $1,260 | $4,500 |
| Ohio | $2,045 | $575 | $4,375 |
| Oklahoma | $2,141 | $695 | $4,980 |
| Oregon | $1,264 | $500 | $2,440 |
| Pennsylvania | $2,456 | $500 | $6,360 |
| Rhode Island | $2,615 | $1,320 | $5,145 |
| South Carolina | $1,937 | $275 | $4,590 |
| South Dakota | $2,826 | $1,170 | $4,450 |
| Tennessee | $1,933 | $500 | $4,530 |
| Texas | $2,108 | $500 | $6,595 |
| Utah | $1,625 | $595 | $2,995 |
| Vermont | $2,295 | $1,290 | $3,405 |
| Virginia | $2,457 | $775 | $5,480 |
| Washington | $1,460 | $495 | $3,855 |
| Washington D.C. | $2,149 | $925 | $6,800 |
| West Virginia | $2,257 | $750 | $4,218 |
| Wisconsin | $2,862 | $800 | $7,538 |
| Wyoming | $2,533 | $1,295 | $3,580 |
Free Cremation
Although direct cremation is an inexpensive end of life option, there is another method which is actually free.
This is donating your body for science. Becoming a donor has many benefits. It can make the passing of your loved one a simple process during your time of grief.
A cremation is also included free of charge after the body has served its purpose and the ashes are then returned to the family.
How will your body be used?
- studying the stages of decay for crime scene investigation
- testing new medical tools and equipment
- devising, testing, and learning new surgeries
- for medical students to practice procedures
- even testing safety products for vehicles
Finding a program
The process of donating your body is typically straightforward. If you have a teaching hospital or medical school in your area, you might begin by contacting them to inquire if they have a donation program. If not, they can likely put you in contact with one.
Additionally, your family doctor should be able to refer you to a facility.
How to Arrange a Direct Cremation
You can make the arrangements with a crematorium yourself instead of procuring a funeral director, which can be an additional saving. The crematory staff normally takes care of all the arrangements and paperwork, such as the death certificate.
Choosing a Provider
If you do not have a particular facility in mind and need help locating one, Cremation.com is a site that allows you to search by state. The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) has over 400 crematories in their association as well. You can also search in your area on their website.
Some funeral homes have their own equipment and perform the cremation themselves. Most contract with a third-party crematorium to do it. In some cases, transferring the body may be the only role the funeral home plays.
It’s recommendedto inquire about the facility to which they transfer the body. Ask questions, such as whether their licenses and permits are current, if the staff are CANA certified, and do they have liability insurance.
The Right Choice?
One of the most expensive occasions in life will be paying for your own funeral or that of a loved one. Some people think if they do not provide a big expensive service, it is disrespectful to the departed.
If you think about it, causing a financial burden for their family would not be the last act a person would want to do in life. It’s reasonable to think they would want their memory to be a virtuous one.
Choosing a direct or free cremation can give you the freedom to grieve for your loved one. It will make one of the most sorrowful times in your life a little less stressful without making major decisions and expenditures, which can take years to pay.
