Cremation surpassed traditional burial as the disposition option of choice in 2015. This shift can in large part be attributed to the fact that cremation is less expensive.
If you were to randomly call a couple of different funeral homes and ask what they charge for cremation, you would likely be quoted prices differing anywhere from several hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars or more.
Such disparity would understandably leave you scratching your head.
My goal is to share the average cost of cremation, explain some of the upgraded offerings, and review the factors that determine prices.
Let’s go ahead and get started.
Direct Cremation Cost
The terms direct, simple, and basic can all be used to describe the most affordable type of cremation.
To make sure we are on the same page, a direct cremation includes the transportation of the deceased to the funeral home or crematorium, the cremation itself, and the processing of all required authorizations.
A minimum container that the body is placed in prior to the cremation and a temporary urn is included as well.
The fee for a direct cremation does not cover the cost of embalming, a visitation, or a remembrance service of any kind.
A recent analysis conducted by funeralocity.com found that the average price of a direct cremation is $2,145.
However, it is important to know that prices across the United States will range anywhere from $800 to as much as $5,000 or more.
I suggest looking at the price of direct cremation as a baseline since most families choose upgrades.
Remembrance Services Cost
More and more cremation families are having services to celebrate the lives of their loved ones.
Memorial services are similar to regular services except an urn or picture of the deceased takes the place of the body as the main focal point.
On average, families pay between $4,000 and $6,000 for a cremation with a memorial service.
A visitation can be held for a person who will be cremated if the body is embalmed beforehand.
The most recent data shows that the median cost for embalming is $750 and the median cost of a cremation with a visitation is $5,150.
When a person’s cremated remains are going to be buried or interred in a cemetery, a graveside service may take place at the final resting place.
This can be done independently of or in addition to a visitation or memorial service and costs around $400 on average. Cemetery fees will be a separate charge.
Product Upgrades
There are multiple product upgrades and add-ons that can affect the cost of cremation services.
Cremation Containers
A direct cremation will include either a combustible cardboard box or a composite wood receptacle for the body to be placed in before being inserted into the cremation chamber.
A family who prefers to see their loved one for the last time in a more attractive, structured container can purchase an upgraded product that will run between $200 to $500.
For a public visitation to be held, a cremation casket that contains very little metal will be required by the funeral home.
Cloth caskets can cost as little as $600, while those constructed of wood can cost as much as $2,000.
A ceremonial rental casket is also appropriate and will cost between $800 and $1200. It will have a removable insert that the deceased is cremated in once services are complete.
Urns
An urn is typically not included in the price of cremation.
A family that doesn’t purchase an urn will receive their loved one’s cremated remains in a clear plastic bag that has been placed in a temporary black or brown receptacle.
Families who want a permanent, more aesthetically pleasing option should expect to pay roughly $150 to $400 for a wood, brass, or metal urn.
Custom and bronze urns as well as companion urns that can hold the remains of two people will carry a higher price tag. Most urns can be engraved for around $50.
Additional Factors that Affect Cost
There are a host of factors that affect cremation prices. In an effort to inform, but not overwhelm, these are the most prevalent:
Type of Service Provider
Full-service funeral homes facilitate the vast majority of cremations.
Families benefit from the guidance and support they receive throughout the planning process.
Most communities have more than one funeral home, allowing families to select a firm that best meets their needs and preferences.
In some parts of the country, families have the option to use cremation societies and/or online providers.
These businesses offer discounted pricing, but there isn’t an opportunity to have a service and personal interaction is limited.
Families are often responsible for completing paperwork and taking care of other tasks that would normally be handled by a funeral home.
Geographic Area
As a rule of thumb, heavily populated areas with high cremation rates have the lowest price points.
These competitive urban markets usually have at least one low-end provider or cremation society that drives prices down. Such areas will also have higher-end firms which help diversify prices.
When you start to move toward suburban and rural parts of the country, prices gradually increase and the difference in cost from one provider to the next narrows.
The socioeconomic status of a community also plays a role in pricing.
Overhead Expenses
A cremation provider’s overhead expenses will be reflected in their pricing.
The number of employees and their wages make up the bulk of a funeral home’s overhead.
A location with a limited staff can charge less but might not be capable of providing the level of service a family expects.
Larger, updated funeral homes generally charge more because they are more expensive to maintain and renovations are costly.
Many families, however, see the value in spending a little more for use of a modern, spacious facility.
The cost of purchasing and maintaining vehicles also affects prices.
It only makes sense that a location with newer family cars, funeral coaches and transfer vans would be required to charge more than funeral homes with older vehicles.
Online providers, cremation societies, and funeral homes that offer bottom dollar pricing have to keep their overhead low.
They have a small staff and usually depend on third parties for cremations and removals. Some businesses operate out of small offices, while others don’t have an actual physical location.
A Few Final Words of Advice
Losing a loved one is a difficult experience, regardless of the circumstances. The last thing anyone who has suffered a loss wants to do is make complicated financial decisions.
Knowing the average cost of cremation in your area will help you feel prepared when the time comes to preplan your own final wishes or make arrangements for someone you love.
When choosing a funeral home or other type of cremation provider, I encourage you to call and ask questions regarding services and products.
I also recommend visiting the facilities and meeting some of the staff.
The more knowledge you have, the more satisfied you will be with your decisions.
