The cremation trend is changing the way we think about arranging a funeral. Although the cremation rate in Ohio has typically been below the national rate, the demand for low-cost funeral alternatives is changing the way many families today approach death care. With this in mind, this article will aim to answer some key questions you may have about arranging a direct cremation in Cleveland.
Call (216) 530-8883 to arrange a direct cremation for $825
Changing death care rituals and economic reasons for choosing cremation
Deciding whether to bury or cremate is very much a personal choice. For some families, the decision is dictated by their funeral budget. A cremation service will cost much less than a traditional burial funeral. On average, a cremation service will save you at least 40% on the cost of a burial; sometimes, you can save as much as 60% on the cost of a burial service.
More families are leaning towards cremation as it does offer greater flexibility. The funeral service does not have to go ahead immediately. A cremation can be performed, and then a service can be held at a later date convenient to the family.
The economy and the COVID-19 pandemic have certainly impacted how we manage death care today. Many families simply cannot, or do not want to, spend unnecessarily on funeral costs. Cremation provides a simple, efficient, and economical means of disposition.
So, how much does a cremation cost in Cleveland?
A simple cremation can be conducted in Cleveland for as little as $825. This is what is known as a “direct cremation”. No services are performed, the deceased is collected, transported to the funeral facility, prepared for cremation and the cremation is conducted.
The cremated remains are returned to the family in a temporary plastic urn. If desired the family can arrange a brief final goodbye viewing at the funeral home.
It is important to state that cremation prices in Cleveland DO vary quite considerably between funeral homes, and depending on what type of cremation service you opt for. Not all funeral homes have their own crematory but will use the services of a local crematory.
The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) estimates that the average cremation cost is $3,200. However, much lower-priced cremation services are available in Cleveland.
What type of cremation services are available in Cleveland, OH?
You can select from a range of cremation services and packages. These will start with a basic cremation without additional services, which is the cheapest cremation package.
You can have a full-service funeral followed by the cremation, a cremation followed by a memorial service, or just a viewing followed by a cremation. What services you opt for will dictate cremation costs, and the change in the funeral industry today is a move towards ‘personalization’ and making a funeral service that fits the needs of the family, whatever they are.
Comparing cremation costs in Cleveland, OH
As mentioned, the cost of a cremation can vary enormously – for the exact same service – but from different Cleveland cremation service providers. Ensure that you compare like-for-like services.
Some cremation service providers include crematory fees and cremation container costs in a direct cremation package; others do not always include these fees. Death certificate fees and cremation permits are often additional ‘cash advance’ items. A direct cremation in Cleveland can cost as little as $625 complete.
How do I know that the cremated remains I get back are my loved one’s remains?
This is probably the most common cremation question we receive. Strict laws govern the cremation of human remains, and identity checks must be made along the way. The cremation retort must be completely cleared following a cremation, and only one can be performed at a time.
The remains are cleared into a machine that filters out any metal parts (tooth fillings, hip replacements, etc) and then ground into the fine ‘dust’ that is returned as cremation ashes.
Understanding the legal requirements for cremation in Cleveland
As mentioned above, there are laws in place regarding the cremation of human remains. A cremation cannot be performed until the medical examiner’s office issues a cremation permit. The legal next of kin must sign a Cremation Authorization Form.
It is not necessary to embalm a body for cremation, and refrigerated storage preserves the body until the cremation is performed. The funeral home will generally store the body for up to 5 days at no extra charge. An additional storage fee may be incurred if the cremation does not go ahead within 5 days.
What can we do with the cremated remains?
Cremation offers some greater flexibility in what you can do with the cremated remains once you have them returned. You can, of course, inter them in a grave plot or niche. However, you can store them in an urn at home or scatter the cremated remains. There are also options such as having cremation artifacts made from cremated remains, such as cremation diamonds, glass jewelry, birdbaths, and paintings.
Preplanning an affordable direct cremation in Cleveland, OH
If you wish to preplan a simple cremation, you can lock in a low-cost cremation price now. This may depend upon your age when setting up a prepaid cremation plan. A cremation plan can be set up using an insurance policy where the funds are put into a trust. You can also opt to preplan your cremation service without prepaying.
This ensures that your surviving family can proceed with arrangements at the time of need without worrying about completing the paperwork or making difficult decisions. The money to pay for the cremation can be put aside in a POD account (Payable on Death), which your beneficiary can draw out upon death immediately without probate. Read “How to set up an Affordable Cremation Plan: Pre-arrange vs. Pre-pay” to find out more about pre-planning a cremation.
The deceased had no life insurance – is there any help with cremation costs?
Sadly, more people are passing without leaving the means to pay for their funerals. If you are faced with this situation, you need to explore what help may be available to you. Social Security pays a $255 lump sum death benefit (if you qualify), and your funeral director can assist you with this.
Support for indigent burials differs greatly by state and county. To find out what may be available, you should contact your County Human Services Department.
Suppose the deceased is at the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner. In that case, you will need to employ the services of a funeral director to collect your loved one and take him or her into their care for funeral services. Only a licensed funeral director can collect a body from the Medical Examiner’s office once the deceased body is ready to be released by the coroner.
The ME for Cuyahoga County is located at 11001 Cedar Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106
Phone (216) 721-5610
DFS Memorials’ low-cost cremation services are available to residents of Cleveland Heights, Detroit-Shoreway, Kamm’s Corners, Lakewood, Little Italy, Ohio City, Shaker Square & Larchmere, Tremont, University Circle, and Cuyahoga County, Geauga County, Lake County, Lorain County, and Medina County.
I have been researching and writing about the death care industry for the past fifteen years. End-of-life services and experiences are topics most people avoid thinking about until they must face them. My work provides comprehensive and independent resources for families, explaining the workings of the funeral industry, the laws governing funeral practices, and the death care trends that impact consumers. With a BA in Cultural Studies, I bring a unique perspective to analyzing cultural death care rituals, complemented by a career background in Business Management. The death care industry is undergoing significant changes, which I find fascinating. The shift towards cremation services and the emergence of sustainable alternatives like aquamation and human composting are of particular interest. I am also intrigued by how technology is reshaping the funeral planning process and experience. I write for US Funerals Online and DFS Memorials LLC, and contribute to various forums and publications within the death care industry.
