Cremation and Funeral Services

This is a difficult subject to write on. Researching cremation and funeral services is typically done when someone has lost someone close to them. Perhaps the worst thing about losing someone close to you is amid the mourning of said person’s passing, you might also be tasked with having to arrange the logistics around how this person will be cremated, buried, etc. according to their previous wishes. This is not easy nor do most of us wish to take this on, but it is an absolute necessity and one that needs to be taken on quickly unfortunately.

If the person who has passed has not left clear indications on whether they would like to be cremated, buried, or a combination of the two, from a pure financial perspective, cremation is the most affordable. Expenses to cremate range between $600 and $3,000. In fact, the decision to cremate has increased in popularity among most Americans because it is much cheaper. Approximately 40% of Americans choose to cremate which is up 27% from 10 years ago. Because prices can vary widely however, it is recommended to compare providers.

With direct cremation there is no formal viewing with a funeral or embalming. The price includes picking up the body, completing the requisite paperwork, the actual cremation and then delivering the ashes to the family. If a memorial service is then desired, many families choose to do that home or in a place of worship. The urn is another cost that can also be managed. Funeral home urns can cost upwards of $300, but some can be found cheaper for $50 even. Many funeral homes will place the ashes in a strong, plastic bag that one can then transport to the urn of your choice. If the plan is to scatter the ashes, then you don’t necessarily need an urn. If you want something to display however, you will.

If the decision you come to is burial, there are other things to consider. Cemeteries are owned in general by private businesses, non-profits, churches or in some cases the government. In Oregon for example one can choose burial services on your own private property, but this is rare. Most cemeteries will require a casket or similar burial container, and even if the person is cremated, burying their ashes in a grave (like one would a casket) is frequently done. There are different services that one can request as part of the funeral process. First are formal services, where friends and family gather and hold a service in honor of the deceased. Second is what is known as a celebration of life. This is generally uplifting and happy where a member of the clergy or a chaplain speaks and directs the service. Funeral homes offer this as a service, or one can organize them separately.

Lastly, there are graveside services, whereas the name implies, the service is held at the side of the grave that includes an open casket or cremated remains. This is often described as a more therapeutic gathering and your scribe, for one, has attended multiple iterations of these types of funeral services. There is something comforting about gathering at the site of the burial, remembering the person that passed away and taking turns to speak.

Whatever you decide, the options are plentiful. The problem is always the timing, but there will never be a good time for something like this. It is simply part of the cycle of life.