As we experience a huge shift to cremation in the US, more families are seeking to find out just what cremation means in terms of funeral costs. The cremation trend is largely driven by families demanding more affordable death care alternatives.
An affordable cremation service can be arranged for just $1,330 in Charleston.
For many years, families arranged a traditional funeral without considering how much it would cost. Today, many folks either do not want to spend thousands of dollars unnecessarily or cannot afford to spend $7000-$15,000 on a funeral service.
So, let’s look at the average costs for a burial or cremation in Charleston and how you can find the most affordable cremation service in Charleston, SC.
What is the average cost of a funeral in Charleston?
These days, we are discerning consumers, 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 Charleston for you.
According to Funeralocity (2024), the average cost of a traditional funeral in Charleston is $7,992. This is for a full traditional funeral service, including casket, but not including any cemetery costs.
So, how do cremation costs compare in Charleston?
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 Charleston is $6,583. Although a basic cremation with a short service can be arranged for less than this.
It is important to know that prices vary quite a bit between different funeral homes or cremation providers.
We have conducted a cremation price comparison between providers in Charleston. This means we can help you quickly connect with a local, low-cost cremation services provider to save you from conducting extensive price comparisons.
Direct cremation services in Charleston, SC
Direct cremation is the industry term for a ‘simple cremation.’ Only the cremation service is provided by the funeral home. The funeral home provides 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.
In Charleston, the cremation service can be conducted with or without the cremation urn present. It can be an ash-scattering ceremony, an interment in a cremation niche, or a scattering garden.
A basic direct cremation service is available in Charleston for $1,330, although the average price for a direct cremation is $2,540.
Call DFS Memorials now at (843) 994-5899 to arrange a low-cost cremation for just $1,330
Are there additional fees added to a low-cost cremation package?
For a cremation to be conducted, the county must issue a ‘disposition permit.’ This is a county charge, and costs can vary by county. Death certificates are an additional cost, as the county issues these and are a third-party expense. Death certificates cost $17 for the first certificate and $3 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 all along the way.
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’ returned as cremation ashes.
What if I am unsure about cremation or the family cannot agree?
Cremation is such a final disposition, and you do need to ensure that you are completely sure that this IS the ‘right’ disposition choice for you. Certain 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?
The options of what you can do with the cremated remains of your loved one are one of the reasons cremation is becoming more popular. You can, of course, choose to inter the remains in a cemetery plot.
You can inter the remains in a niche or columbarium or keep the ashes at home. Keepsake urns enable you to disperse the ashes among several family members, scatter some, and retain a ‘keepsake’ memorial.
Ash scattering is also more common, and many options exist for creating a befitting ash scattering ceremony.
Can I preplan a direct cremation service at an affordable cost in Charleston?
Yes. You can preplan a simple direct cremation service. This is generally funded through an insurance product or a pre-need cremation plan that will cover 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. South Carolina has 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 the South Carolina Department of Social Services to find out what Assistance Programs may be available locally.
SCDSS, 1535 Confederate Avenue, Columbia, SC 29201 Phone: (803) 898-7601
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.
If the deceased is held at the county morgue as the Medical Examiner is involved, you will need the services of a licensed funeral director to arrange for the body’s release.
For more information about Cremation Services and Costs – Visit our Guide to Cremation Costs in South Carolina.
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.
