The exact cost of human cremation depends on factors like the region, the type of cremation service you choose, the cost of casket or alternative container, price of cremation urn, the way you want to dispose of the ashes, etc. Thus, there is no standard cost of a cremation.

Nevertheless, cremations are mostly cheaper than traditional burials. The prices usually start around $600–700. Yet, people spend several thousand dollars on cremation and funeral services. Funeral homes also offer direct cremation services.

This is the least expensive method because it is a simple yet dignified way to prepare for the final disposition of the dead. According to the Cremation Research Council, the average cost of a direct cremation is $1,100.

This process does not include a traditional funeral service involving viewing of the body before cremation. Consequently, you do not need to spend on a casket and embalming of the body.

You just require an alternative container for moving the corpse and make arrangements for getting the body cremated within a short time after death.

You can still hold a memorial service, with or without cremated remains, after the cremation has been performed.

Cremation, however, is not a substitute for funeral. So, you can plan to have simple or elaborate funeral arrangements for paying respects to the deceased and seeing the body for the last time.

If you want to arrange the event at an affordable price, you can search out a reputable yet low cost cremation service provider or memorial society, and rent a casket instead of buying it.

Basically, the cost of getting a human body cremated shall include the funeral home’s service fee, fees for picking up the corpse, and storing it temporarily (refrigeration) until the cremation is done.

Certain crematories may also charge extra for a witnessing service wherein the relatives and representatives of the deceased are allowed to watch or even initiate the cremation by pressing a button or starting the equipment.

As most funeral homes do not have their own crematorium, you will to take into consideration, the cost of transferring the body from the funeral home to the crematorium. Moreover, there are additional costs like that of municipal registration cost, Coroner’s certificate, and so on.

The Federal Trade Commission requires that the cremation and funeral providers should provide a General Price List to the consumers before even discussing about the services.

Preplanning a funeral and cremation, though awkward, gives you more control and helps save money. Moreover, it provides a peace of mind as well.

Disposing of the Remains

There are various options for the final disposition of the cremated remains. You can choose to scatter the ashes on land or from the air.

Besides, you can float the ashes in water or bury them in a burial plot. You can select a biodegradable urn for this purpose. Alternatively, you may dispose of the remains in a simple cardboard box in which the crematory hands over the ashes.

Spreading the ashes at sea, however, shall include the cost of yacht services as well. Similarly, you will have to consider the charges of getting the cremated remains scattered by air being cast from a private plane.

More often than not, this is done by professionals who also provide certificates of the place and time of scattering the remains.

The procedure can cost about $250 or more. Furthermore, the cremains can be entombed in a crypt within a mausoleum, or placed in a columbarium.

Those who prefer to store the ashes or just a portion of the cremated remains of their loved ones can place the remains in an aesthetic urn and display it on a shelf or mantle at home.

Besides, you can simple scatter the ashes yourself at a public city park (if it is allowed by the State laws), or a place that your loved one liked to visit. Another thoughtful yet meaningful option is to bury the remains in cremation garden of a cemetery.

Resources:

Cremation Association Of North America, What Consumers Should Ask

Bureau Of Consumer Protection Business Center, Information Required On General Price List (GPL)

Funeral Home Resource, Cremation resources, A Prepaid Cremation