Cremation is changing the face of funerals. It offers a much more affordable and simple option to take care of a funeral, and many of us cannot afford the traditional expensive funeral services anymore. If you have found this article because you are looking for information on cremation services and costs, we can help you understand how you can save money on a cremation service in South Bend.
Below, we briefly review typical funeral and cremation prices and explain how you can arrange a simple direct cremation for $1,125.
What is the average funeral cost in South Bend?
These days, we are discerning consumers who are very mindful of costs, and people are now realizing they can price-shop for funeral services. Why should we not ask how much it costs?
The Internet offers a great tool for researching 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 the average funeral and cremation costs in South Bend.
Based on a survey of funeral homes in South Bend and their general price list, the average cost of a traditional funeral in South Bend is $7,458*. This does not include any cemetery fees, so on average, the total likely cost for a full-service funeral would be in the region of $10,000.
So, how do cremation costs compare in South Bend?
Cremation offers a cheaper and more flexible alternative to a traditional burial and can 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.
The average price for a cremation funeral service in South Bend is $4,403*.
Direct cremation services in South Bend, IN
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 are 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.
The service can be conducted with or without the cremation urn present. It can even take the form of an ash-scattering ceremony or interment in a cremation niche or scattering garden.
A basic direct cremation costs $1,125 in South Bend, although the average price is $1,848*. To help families arrange affordable cremation services, we have selected only family-owned cremation service providers who can offer a basic cremation package.
Call now on (574) 208-1280 now to arrange a low-cost cremation
Are there additional fees to the $1,125 cremation package?
A ‘disposition permit’ must be issued by the county for a cremation to be conducted. This may incur a fee to St. Joseph County. 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.
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 must ensure that you are entirely certain that this IS the ‘right’ disposition choice for you. Specific laws are in place to ensure this final disposition can only proceed if the legal next of kin has authorized it.
The legal next of kin must sign a Cremation Authorization Form, 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 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 Indiana, 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 St Joseph County DFCS to find out what may be available to you locally.
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 $1,075 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 at (574) 208-1280, and we will be happy to help.
*Funeral prices obtained from online funeral price survey website 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.
