The high costs of dying are leading more families to consider cremation as a less expensive alternative to a traditional funeral. Yet, trying to compare the differences in cremation costs between different funeral service providers in Louisville can be a daunting and time-consuming task.
Not all funeral homes even opt to provide cremation prices on their websites, and even when you call a funeral home, you cannot always get a straight answer about funeral costs.
This article runs through how cremation can save you money on your overall funeral costs and explains how arranging a simple direct cremation can save you thousands of dollars.
We compare a few of the lead providers of affordable cremation services in Louisville and provide tips on how to do your own memorialization and claim any financial assistance available.
How can you save money arranging a cremation?
Although Kentucky is still a more traditional state in favor of burial, high funeral costs and difficult economic times have given many families no choice but to opt for cremation.
The average traditional funeral costs around $9,000 (NFDA 2023), and this does NOT include cemetery costs. So a burial funeral can amount to between $10,000 and $15,000. Not many families have $10,000 to hand if their lost loved one had not made provision for his/her funeral arrangements!
A cremation can immediately remove the need for expensive cemetery property. A burial plot is not required, nor is a burial vault. No casket is needed for the cremation. [Some funeral service providers offer rental caskets for those wishing to hold a viewing or service before the cremation] And no embalming is necessary.
Eliminating these few products and services can reduce your funeral bill by thousands of dollars.
So, how much does a cremation cost in Louisville?
Good question! This largely depends on what kind of cremation service you require and, more importantly, which cremation service provider you select. The cost for a cremation service WILL differ significantly for the same service from different funeral homes!
There are several options with a cremation service that can determine how much it will cost. A cremation funeral service (where a funeral service is held before the cremation is conducted) is likely to cost in the region of $2,500 to $4,500.
Costs will depend upon whether a casket is purchased or rented for the purpose of the funeral ceremony and other ancillary costs such as memorial stationery, flowers, etc.
A cremation with a viewing beforehand can be facilitated for those families that wish to have an opportunity to say a final goodbye but do not wish to have a formal service. Again, rental caskets, or slumber beds, can make this a fairly inexpensive option.
What is the difference between a cremation funeral and a cremation memorial service?
A cremation memorial service is where the cremation is conducted before a memorial service is held. Your funeral home can provide the memorial ceremony as part of their services but will charge you for this. The price for a cremation memorial service in Louisville is likely to be in the region of $2,500 to $3,500.
A cremation memorial service (being that the deceased is already cremated) can be more flexible. It does not have to be held immediately, as the body is not present, and it offers the opportunity for unique personalization.
A memorial service does not have to be conducted by or at a funeral home. A ceremony in memory of the deceased or an ash-scattering ceremony can be held anywhere and led by family members and friends, a funeral celebrant, or clergy.
Arranging to have a cremation performed and then conducting the memorial service yourself can be a significant way to save on overall funeral costs. It can also make for a much more personal tribute to a lost loved one. Visit our section on ‘Memorialization Options’ to read more about how you can create your memorial tributes.
How to arrange a cremation for $850 in Louisville
A direct cremation is the least expensive cremation option that a cremation services provider offers. It is a simple, basic cremation without any services or ceremony. Many funeral homes do not actively promote that they offer such a basic service because, of course, they want you to spend more! They even include it in their general price list (GPL) at the very bottom!
Direct cremation includes everything to take care of the deceased and have the body cremated [but may not include county fees such as death certificate and cremation permit]. A death certificate in Louisville costs $6.00 each.
Low-cost cremation in Louisville
Several cremation service providers offer low-cost direct cremation in Louisville. As you will see from the chart below, the price for a direct cremation can vary significantly depending on the provider.
DFS Memorials offers the best value direct cremation package at $850. To arrange a low-cost cremation today, or if you have any questions about cremation in Louisville, call now at (502) 219-4474.
Comparing cremation costs in Louisville, KY
To assist families in comparing cremation costs, we have conducted a direct cremation price comparison with a select number of funeral homes and cremation service providers in Louisville.
| Provider | Direct cremation price |
| Herman Meyer Funeral Home | $3,025 |
| Webb Funeral Home | $1,450 |
| Neurath & Schoppenhorst Funeral Home | $1,350 |
| Newcomer Funeral Homes | $1,195 |
| Highlands Funeral Home | $1,095 |
| Ratterman Grand Chapels | $1,075 |
| Cremation Society of Kentucky | $1,070 |
| Heritage Cremation Services | $995 |
| DFS Memorials Louisville | $850 |
Disclaimer: This direct cremation cost information was obtained from providers in March 2023. This is an ‘at-need’ price. The price quoted is for a bundled “direct cremation” package but does not typically include any cash advance items such as county permits or death certificates. Prices are posted to help families make informed decisions. However, periodically, providers change their prices. We make every effort to ensure the prices are accurate, but prices must be verified directly with the listed funeral home.
A “direct cremation package” includes the following:
- Collection of the deceased from the place of death and transportation to the funeral facility or crematory
- Shelter of the deceased whilst the legal documentation is completed
- Filing of all necessary documents (death certificate, county cremation permit)
- A basic cremation container
- The crematory fee
- Return of the cremated remains in a temporary cremation receptacle
Note: Additional fees may apply for a residential collection or additional services/products added to the items listed above.
Hopefully, this information can assist families in making decisions about selecting an affordable cremation provider.
I can’t afford a funeral. Is there any help with cremation costs in Louisville?
Sadly, we are asked this question all too often these days! With more families struggling financially, it can be crippling to be faced with unexpected funeral expenses. If qualifying, there is a $255 Social Security death benefit payment, and there are benefits for veterans. Each state has its own budget and governance for dealing with indigent funerals, although much funding has been axed in recent years.
You can try contacting your local county, Social, or Human Services to inquire if any financial aid is available locally. This article on ‘How to Pay for a Funeral’ also covers some of the other ways that you can gain support towards funeral costs.
DFS Memorials of Louisville services families in Bullitt, Jefferson, Nelson, Oldham, Shelby & Spencer Counties. If you are concerned about funeral costs, call us today at (502) 219-4474 and let us help you arrange a dignified direct cremation for just $850.00.
