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What Is Direct Cremation?

Direct Cremation is the most affordable option. But what exactly does that mean? What are the costs and advantages?
Direct Cremation
Direct Cremation

Table of Contents

Direct Cremation is a disposition option in which the body is cremated in the days immediately following the death, without a funeral service beforehand. Direct Cremation is the most economic (affordable) option for disposition.

Because direct cremation does not include a formal funeral service or any of the “traditional” pre-funeral events, like the viewing or the wake, many of the costs of a traditional funeral are avoided.

  • The body is usually cremated in a more simple vessel, rather than an expensive casket.
  • There is no viewing or visitation before the cremation, which eliminates the need for embalming or other body preparations.
  • Memorial Services may be held at a later date, which eliminates the need for an expensive casket and funeral arrangements.

Service Options

If you are interested in a direct cremation but want to have a formal service as well, that service will likely take the form of a Celebration of Life or Memorial Service at a later date.

If you want to have a service before the cremation, you will not be planning a direct cremation, but rather a “traditional” cremation.

How To Arrange A Direct Cremation

Your funeral director will be able to handle all aspects of the cremation, including completing the death certificate and transporting the body to the crematory.

Direct Cremation Costs

Direct cremation is the least expensive disposition option, as the most expensive purchases, like body prep, a casket, funeral service, vault, —are avoided.

If you are planning on burying the cremated remains in a cemetery plot or interring them in a columbarium, you will also need to take into consideration any cemetery costs, such as the cost of the plot or columbarium niche, the cost of a grave marker, and any cemetery fees such as opening and closing of the grave space, the headstone installation fees, and endowment care or perpetual care fees, among others.

3 Advantages of Direct Cremation

According to the National Funeral Directors Association, direct cremation is becoming more and more popular in the US. The reasons behind this are varied, but often include:

1. Affordability – The median charge of direct cremation across the United States is $2,300, compared to over $6,000 for cremation with witnesses and a ceremony. Our flame cremation starts at $1285, almost half the national low average.

2. Simplicity – With direct cremation, there is no immediate service to organize and the process is simplified. This means that with online services like ours, arrangements can be made online or by phone.

3. Flexibility – By arranging a service independently or privately after the cremation, families have the freedom to arrange a memorial service to fit their taste, budget, and timelines.

Picture of Dan Shaeffer

Dan Shaeffer

Dan Shaeffer, dual licensed funeral director and embalmer for over 20 years, served families at funeral homes in Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle before moving to the Austin area in 2017. Dan holds the designation of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner from the Academy of Funeral of Professional Funeral Service. He is also a veteran of the United States Air Force.
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