We are witnessing a huge shift to cremation across the USA as families demand more affordable death care alternatives. Cremation is a low-cost alternative for those families in Lower Merion Township who do not want to overspend on a funeral or simply cannot afford a costly funeral.
Why pay thousands for a funeral when a dignified and no-fuss cremation can be arranged for just $1,295?
Call (215) 310-0777 for immediate assistance with an affordable cremation service.
What is the average cost of a funeral in Merion?
These days we are discerning consumers, very mindful of costs, and people now realize they can price-shop for funeral services. Why should we not ask how much it costs? The Internet offers a great tool to research funeral costs from the comfort of your own home. Unfortunately, not all funeral homes have websites or put their prices online, so we have put this guide together to outline average funeral and cremation costs in Lower Merion for you.
So, how do cremation costs compare in Merion?
Cremation offers a cheaper and more flexible alternative to a traditional burial and can, therefore, significantly reduce funeral costs.
No casket, cemetery plot, or burial vault is required, immediately reducing some of the most expensive purchases related to funeral expenses.
Direct cremation services in Merion, PA
Direct cremation is the industry term for a ‘simple cremation.’ The funeral home provides only the cremation service, no ceremony or funeral services. The deceased is collected and cremated, and the remains returned to the family in a basic urn.
Direct cremation offers families lower-cost funeral services and more control over the time and type of memorial ceremonial services they desire. A memorial service can be held in a place of worship, a community venue, or even outdoors. It can be conducted with or without the cremation urn present and can even take the form of an ash-scattering ceremony or interment in a cremation niche or scattering garden.
A basic direct cremation costs $1,295 in Lower Merion, although the average price can be far higher. To help families arrange affordable cremation services, we have selected only family-owned cremation service providers who can offer an affordable basic cremation package.
Direct cremation means a family can manage to conduct dignified funeral services for as little as $1,295
Call now on (215) 310-0777 now to arrange a low-cost cremation
Are there any additional fees to the $1,295 cremation package?
A ‘disposition permit’ must be issued by the county for a cremation to be conducted. At present, there is no charge for this. Death certificates are an additional cost, as they are issued by the county and are a third-party expense. Death certificates cost $20 for the first certificate and $5 for each additional copy issued.
How do I know that I am getting the remains of my loved one back?
This is one of the most frequent questions families ask about cremation. Strict laws govern the cremation of human remains, and identity checks must be made throughout the process. The cremation retort must be completely cleared following a cremation, and only one cremation can be performed at a time. The remains are cleared into a machine that filters out any metal parts (tooth fillings, hip replacements) and then ground into the fine ‘dust’ that is returned as cremation ashes.
What if I am not sure about cremation or the family cannot agree about cremation?
Cremation is such a final disposition that you need to ensure that you are completely sure that this is the ‘right’ disposition choice for you. Certain laws ensure that this final disposition can only proceed if the legal next of kin has authorized it. A Cremation Authorization Form must be signed by the legal next of kin, and in the case of children, many funeral directors will require all children to sign.
You can authorize an agent for your final disposition or sign the authorization when you preplan a cremation.
What can you do with the cremated remains?
One reason cremation is becoming more popular is the options available to you regarding the cremated remains of your loved one. Of course, you can choose to inter the remains in a cemetery plot, a niche or a columbarium, or keep the ashes at home. Keepsake urns even enable you to disperse the ashes among several family members or scatter some and retain a ‘keepsake’ memorial.
Ash scattering is also more common these days, and many options exist for creating a befitting ash scattering ceremony.
Can I preplan a direct cremation at an affordable cost?
Yes. You can preplan a simple direct cremation service. This is generally funded through an insurance product covering this cost when needed. All monies are secured in a trust fund.
How quickly can a cremation be performed?
It generally takes a few days to make the necessary arrangements, complete all the legal paperwork, and schedule the cremation. However, expedited services can be arranged if required. In Pennsylvania, there is a mandatory 24-hour wait period after death before a cremation can be conducted.
What do I do if I cannot even afford a cremation?
There is very little ‘free’ money to help families with funeral costs. What is available constantly changes due to budget constraints and varies by county. Some counties do have a provision to assist needy or low-income families. Contact Montgomery County DFCS to find out what may be available to you locally.
1 Montgomery Ave # 506, Norristown, PA 19401 Phone: (610) 278-3052
There is also a $255 lump sum social security death benefit payment if the deceased qualifies, and your funeral director can help you claim this. So you may find that a low-cost cremation at $1,295 with DFS Memorials is a dignified yet affordable disposition alternative if your family is struggling financially.
If you have further questions about cremation, feel free to call us on (215) 310-0777 and we will be happy to try and help you.
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.
