Americans are demanding more affordable death care options. With the high cost of traditional funerals and especially burial plot costs in NYC, cremation is proving an alternative disposition choice that is more affordable. A direct cremation can be arranged for just $695 in Staten Island.
Why is cremation more affordable?
In simple terms, a cremation eliminates several services and funeral products that usually have a high price tag. You do not need a casket for a cremation service.
Although some funeral homes offer rental caskets if you wish to have a funeral service before the cremation. You do not need a burial vault or cemetery plot, and embalming is not required for cremation. Eliminating these few things can reduce costs by between $3,000 – $8,000.
Cemetery plots in NYC are expensive due to the shortage of space. A typical plot can cost around $14,000, which adds a huge cost to a funeral bill.
What does a cremation cost in Staten Island?
The price of cremation varies. Firstly, it depends on what type of cremation service you select. A Cremation Funeral is very like a traditional funeral, but the deceased is cremated after the service, so now the burial plot is required. A cremation funeral will generally cost around $3,600, depending on the type of ceremony, the purchase of a casket, and the funeral home selected.
A Cremation Memorial is where the deceased is cremated before holding a memorial service with the cremation urn. This type of cremation service is usually less than a cremation funeral.
What is a direct cremation?
Direct cremation is the industry term for a simple cremation with no ceremony or services. This is the least expensive cremation option. The price for a direct cremation in Staten Island differs from different funeral homes, but you can arrange a direct cremation for as little as $595.
Why is the crematory fee added to a funeral home’s direct cremation service fee?
In NY, a funeral home is not allowed to own and operate a crematory. All crematories are not-for-profit operations. This means that a funeral director has to pay the crematory fee as a ‘third-party’ fee and, therefore, must charge the fee separately from his basic service funeral charge.
Several crematories operate throughout NYC and NJ, and funeral homes use them. The crematory fee varies. The best-value fee is $140, but depending on the crematory, it can be as much as $408.
What additional fees are there to pay for a direct cremation in Staten Island?
There is a $40 NYC cremation permit charge, and the death certificate costs $15. If the deceased passed away at home, there is an additional charge for a residential collection, as this requires an additional person. The additional fee is $150.
The other additional fee can be the mailing of cremated remains. The cost to mail the ashes is $40 to mail cremated remains within NYC and $75 to mail outside of the boroughs.
What are the legal requirements for a cremation to proceed?
As cremation is a very final disposition method, there are strict laws that govern the practice. The legal next of kin must sign a ‘Cremation Authorization Form’ before a cremation can proceed. The funeral director will file for the death certificate and permit to cremate. Once all this paperwork is in order, the cremation can be scheduled.
What can you do with the cremated remains after the direct cremation?
The cremated remains are returned immediately to the family after a direct cremation. The family can choose to hold their own memorial service or ash-scattering service if so desired. The ashes can be kept at home or interred in a cremation niche or family cemetery plot.
Scattering at sea in Staten Island can be added to a direct cremation package for an additional $290.
For more options about what to do with cremated remains and how to memorialize them, check out our Memorialization and What to do with the Cremation Ashes section on the blog.
What if the deceased is at the Medical Examiners?
If the deceased was transferred to the ME, you need the services of a funeral director to collect them and transfer them to the crematory. This can sometimes be an expedited service, as the FD can collect all the permits and paperwork as he or she collects the deceased.
Is there any help with cremation costs in Staten Island?
Unfortunately, more families are finding themselves struggling with funeral expenses these days. NYC offers a burial assistance program to NYC residents on low-income. You can download the form from the link here.
There is also the $255 Social Security lump-sum death benefit payment (if the deceased qualified).
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.
