Funerals need not be as expensive as many people have been led to believe. The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) surveyed the average cost of a funeral, which is $7,484, without any cemetery fees included. Adding in cemetery plot fees brings the average cost to $8,508.
For many families today, spending nearly $9,000 on funeral expenses is not always affordable. Therefore, if you need to arrange a more affordable cremation service in Scranton, this guide should help you understand how to save on your funeral expenses.
The cost of a funeral can vary quite significantly. This will depend upon the type of funeral service you opt for and the funeral service provider you select.
If you do any research with local funeral homes, you will discover that the price for a cremation package varies between providers, even for the exact same services!
The average cost of a traditional funeral in Scranton is $6,306*, with the lowest price being $5,510.
How much does it cost to be cremated in Scranton?
Cremation service prices in Scranton range from $1,495 to $3,316*, depending on the service type chosen. A full-service cremation costs more than a simple direct cremation. DFS Memorials offers a simple, direct cremation package price of $1,495.
Call now at (570) 225-9080 for help arranging an affordable cremation service.
How do I select a funeral services provider?
If you have no prior experience with a funeral services provider this can seem an overwhelming task. Consult with friends and associates and seek recommendations. If you are using the Internet to research funeral services and prices in Scranton, be sure to check the ownership of who you are dealing with.
Some funeral companies have set up online budget cremation businesses, and some corporate groups also trade as low-cost cremation companies. If you are in doubt, ask if they are independently owned. DFS Memorials only work with a reputable, licensed, and independently-owned funeral home.
How can I save money when arranging a funeral or cremation?
These days many of us are concerned about having the necessary funds to conduct funeral services for a loved one if no provision was made. Let’s face it…not many folks can just produce thousands of dollars at the drop of a hat! There are ways that you can ensure you keep your funeral expenses to a minimum.
Generally, a cremation will work out less expensive than a burial, namely as no immediate cemetery fees are required for a cremation. However, a dignified burial can be achieved at a very affordable cost. DFS Memorials traditional burial packages start at $3,995.
Opting for cremation means that a casket, burial vault, or cemetery plot is unnecessary. Eliminating these costs alone can save several thousand dollars.
Comparing cremation prices in Scranton
The Internet has proved an invaluable tool for families, allowing them to research cremation prices from the comfort of their own homes. As we have highlighted, costs can differ significantly between cremation service providers. And not all funeral homes and crematories will openly include cremation service package prices on their websites. This was a key reason why DFS Memorials was founded, to help families quickly and easily find and connect with a local funeral home offering an affordable cremation option.
What is ‘direct cremation’?
A direct cremation is where the deceased is cremated, but no services or ceremony is held. The funeral director offers minimal services to collect the deceased, prepare the body for cremation, and process all the required paperwork. The deceased is cremated in a simple cremation container, and the remains are made available for the family to collect or have delivered to them.
No funeral home visit is required for a direct cremation service. Often, the funeral director will visit you at home to sign the paperwork and consult with you about arrangements.
Direct cremation is becoming very popular as a way for the funeral home to assist in the immediate disposition of the deceased for an affordable fee. Once the cremated remains are returned, the family has the opportunity to conduct their own memorial ceremony.
How do I know I am getting the remains of my loved one back?
Many families ask this question. There are strict laws governing how human cremation is conducted. Operatives are trained in the processes, and only one body can be cremated in a retort at a time. The retort chamber is then fully cleared before another cremation proceeds. A body is tagged the minute it is logged into the funeral home or crematory, and ID checks are done at each step of the process.
What can I do with the cremated remains?
You can inter cremated remains into a grave plot or niche at a cemetery, keep a cremation urn at home, or scatter the remains in a place of your choosing. Today, there are many options for how we can memorialize a lost loved one, and there is now a range of cremation artifacts that can be created to help us immortalize the memory of a loved one, from bird baths made with concrete infused with cremation ashes to memorial diamonds!
Other folks choose to scatter ashes in a memorable place for a loved one’s last resting place. Read this section on Ash Scattering for more ideas.
What if the deceased is at the Medical Examiners?
If the deceased is at the Medical Examiner’s office, you must appoint a funeral director to arrange the body’s release into their care. Only a licensed funeral director can collect a body from the county morgue.
What if the deceased had no life insurance?
More often these days, family members are passing, and we find out that they had no life insurance or funeral plan. This can mean surviving families are burdened with a funeral bill that they cannot afford to pay. There is very little financial support to assist families in this situation, varying significantly by state and county. We would suggest you contact the Lackawanna County Assistance Program at:
200 Scranton State Office Building
100 Lackawanna Avenue
Scranton, PA 18503 Phone: (570) 963-4525
For those who qualify, there is also a $255 lump-sum Social Security death benefit payment. Your funeral director will assist you in claiming this.
We hope this guide has answered some of your questions about saving on funeral costs and will help you arrange a simple cremation at an affordable price. If you have any further questions about arranging a cremation in Scranton, please call your DFS Memorials provider at (570) 225-9080.
*Prices obtained from online funeral price survey website 2024
I have been researching and writing about the death care industry for the last fifteen years. End of life services and experiences are something most of us choose not to reflect upon until we are suddenly faced with dealing with it. I have been contributing comprehensive and independent resources for families that explain how the funeral industry operates, and the laws that govern funeral practices. Sara writes for US Funerals Online and DFS Memorials LLC, as well as contributing to other forums and publications for the death care industry. I have a BA in Cultural Studies. This helps my analysis of cultural death care rituals, alongside a career background in Business Management. The death care industry is undergoing an epoch of change and this fascinates me.
