The current cremation trend is changing how we think about funeral arrangements.
Although the cremation rate in Pennsylvania has typically been below the national rate, the demand now for low-cost funeral alternatives is changing the way many families today approach death care, and more folks are starting to consider cremation as a simple and affordable option instead of a traditional burial.
A simple, direct cremation service can be arranged in York for $1,395. We understand the need for affordable cremation options for families.
For immediate assistance, call (717) 282-1833 to speak with a funeral director.
How funeral care is changing and economic reasons for choosing cremation
Deciding whether to bury or cremate is a personal choice. For some families, the decision is dictated by their budget for a funeral, and a cremation service will cost 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 choosing cremation as it offers greater flexibility. The funeral service does not have to go ahead immediately. Instead, a cremation can be performed, and the immediate disposition of the body dealt with, and then a service held at a later date convenient to the family.
The economy has definitely impacted on how we are changing our approach to death care today. Many families simply cannot, or do not, want to spend unnecessarily on funeral costs. A cremation provides a simple, efficient, and economical means to conduct a disposition.
How much does a funeral cost in York?
This is not a simple question to answer as funeral costs can range significantly depending on the type of services and products selected, and the funeral services provider used, however the average cost of a funeral in York is $7,023*.
How much does a cremation cost in York?
Firstly, a cremation WILL save you on funeral costs. There is no requirement for a casket, cemetery plot, or burial vault, which alone saves thousands of dollars. Generally, embalming is not required when a cremation is performed, so all in all, you can save on many funeral expenses. A cremation will cost at least half, if not less, than the full cost of a burial funeral.
It is important to state that cremation prices in York 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 average cost of a cremation memorial is $3,934*. However, it is possible to find much lower-priced cremation services in York.
How much is a direct cremation in York, PA?
A basic cremation can be conducted in York for as little as $1,395 complete. 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. The family can arrange a brief final goodbye viewing at the funeral home if desired.
Call DFS Memorials now at (717) 282-1833 to arrange a low-cost cremation for $1,395
What type of cremation services are available?
You can select from a range of cremation services and packages. These will start with a basic cremation without any additional services, which is the cheapest type of cremation package. You can have a full-service funeral that is followed by the cremation, a cremation followed by a memorial service, or just a viewing followed by a cremation. Cremation offers versatility in your options, and when and where any services can be held.
How to compare cremation costs in York, PA
As mentioned, the cost of a cremation can vary enormously – for the exact same service – but from different 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.
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 are asked. Strict laws govern the cremation of human remains, and identity checks have to be made along the way. The cremation retort has to 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, etc) and then ground into the fine ‘dust’ that is returned as cremation ashes.
Understanding the legal requirements for cremation in Pennsylvania
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. There is a mandatory wait period of 24 hours after death in Pennsylvania before the cremation can proceed.
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. If the cremation does not go ahead within 5 days, an additional fee for storage may be incurred.
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. Of course, you can inter them in a grave plot or niche. However, you can choose to store them in an urn at home or scatter them. There are also options, such as having cremation artifacts made from cremated remains, such as cremation diamonds, glass jewelry, bird baths, and paintings.
Preplanning an affordable cremation service
If you wish to preplan a simple cremation, you can lock in a low-cost cremation price. 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.
The deceased had no life insurance – is there any help with cremation costs?
It is sadly a reality that more folks are passing without leaving the means to pay for their funeral. If you are faced with this situation, you need to explore what help may be available to you. Social Security pays out a $255 lump sum death benefit (if you qualify), and your funeral director can assist you with this.
The support for indigent burials differs so much by state and county. Some counties offer financial assistance to low-income families, whereas in other counties, only indigent dispositions are conducted. To find out what may be available, you should contact the York County Human Services Department at 100 W Market Street Ste 401, York, PA 17401. Phone: (717) 771-9347
The deceased is at the Medical Examiner’s Office. What do I do?
If the deceased was the victim of a crime, or there were unusual circumstances surrounding the death, the deceased’s body may be taken into the care of the coroner for an examination to determine the cause of death. You will need to employ the services of a funeral director as soon as possible to coordinate the release of your loved one from the ME’s office.
A deceased person can only be released into the care of a licensed funeral director. Many funeral homes are familiar with the process of liaising with the ME to have the body released as quickly as possible. You may also find that a simple, direct cremation can be arranged at a very low cost when the deceased is in the Coroner’s morgue, as all the paperwork can be expedited quickly, and the process of transferring the deceased to the funeral facility is simplified.
Address of county coroner’s office: York County Medical Examiner 118 Pleasant Acres Road York PA 17402 (717) 840-7617
We hope this short guide has answered some of your immediate questions and helped you understand how you can arrange an affordable funeral or cremation service in York, PA. If you need to research more information on funeral planning, please visit the Resources Section on US Funerals Online.
*Funeral prices obtained from Parting funeral price comparison survey 2024
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.
