More families in Savannah and South Georgia are considering cremation as a more affordable alternative to a traditional funeral. We have compiled this brief guide to arranging a cremation in Savannah to help families understand cremation costs and laws.
Learn how to arrange a simple, ‘no fuss’ direct cremation service for just $1,095.
What types of Cremation Packages are available?
There are several different options if you choose cremation. Firstly, a Cremation with a Funeral Service is basically the same as a traditional funeral. Only the deceased is cremated following the service instead of being buried.
A visitation and/or funeral ceremony can be held with the deceased in repose, and then a transfer to the crematory can be conducted.
Another option is a Cremation Memorial Service. This is generally where the deceased is cremated first, and then a memorial service is held with the cremation urn present.
Memorial services can take many formats and can be held in different locations than just the funeral home, as there is no body present.
Life celebration memorials are becoming a more ‘vogue’ type of personalized cremation memorial service. Conducting a very basic cremation where no services are held is possible.
The most economical and simple cremation service option is Direct Cremation. This is what is also known as a basic or simple cremation. Sometimes called a No Ceremony Cremation.
It is the cheapest cremation as it involves minimal professional services from the funeral director and generally only a simple cardboard cremation container and temporary urn.
Of course, you can add incremental products or services, such as an upgraded ceramic or wooden urn or having the ashes scattered by the funeral home.
Read our Guide to What Happens During the Cremation Process: From the Deceased being Collected to the Family Receiving the Cremated Remains to find answers to all questions about cremation services.
What is the average cost of a cremation in Savannah?
The average cost of a cremation in Savannah is around $3,600. This reflects the differing price range of cremation services available. It is very important to realize that cremation prices can vary quite dramatically between providers for even the exact same service.
For this reason, it is essential that you conduct a little cost comparison. A cremation with a ceremony is the most expensive type of cremation service, although this will still save you around 40-50% on the cost of a burial service.
The National Funeral Directors Association surveyed the average funeral cost at $7,848, and this price does NOT include any cemetery fees.
The cost of a cremation with a memorial service depends upon the location of the memorial service. For example – your church or a community venue may offer facilities for a memorial service for a minimal charge or even free. A cremation memorial service can be conducted for around $1,500.
Direct cremation in Savannah
Direct cremation is the most affordable cremation option. A direct cremation is when no services are held. The deceased is collected from the place of death and transported into the care of the funeral home/crematory, all the paperwork is completed, and the cremation is conducted. A basic cremation container is used, and the ashes are returned to the family in a temporary urn.
A direct cremation can be arranged in Savannah for $1,095 complete, although a direct cremation can cost up to $3,000, depending upon the service provider.
How do I choose a cremation provider in Savannah?
Choosing a cremation service provider is not always that simple. If you already have a funeral home in mind, and they meet all your needs, then maybe you are comfortable to proceed with arrangements. If you are researching because you do not have a provider in mind or because you need to find the most affordable cremation option in your area – then DFS Memorials can help direct you.
We do the research to help save families stress and time. We ONLY work with reputable, local, family-owned funeral homes.
Alternatively, you can check out this directory listing of all funeral homes in Savannah organized by city.
Comparing cremation costs and providers in Savannah
This is what many families are trying to do today in an effort to discover the most reasonably-priced cremation package. When selecting a local DFS Memorials provider, we compared prices to find a location in Savannah that offered the ‘best value’ cremation services.
The Internet can also provide a useful tool for searching and comparing prices, although not all funeral homes will disclose their cremation prices online.
What if I cannot afford basic funeral services? Is financial aid for cremation available?
Sadly, this happens more often to families when a death occurs, and they have no funds to cover the cost of a funeral. There is limited aid available. There is some public aid for indigents who pass away in the state’s care and may have no relatives to claim their bodies.
Each state/county has different budgets and rules about what financial aid they can offer needy families. You need to check with the Chatham County DFCS department. A funeral director will also generally be aware of what support is available on a local level.
A $255 lump sum death benefit can be claimed from Social Security (if qualifying), and there are benefits for veterans. There are also organizations, faith groups, and union groups that may offer financial support to those families in need.
How can you save money by arranging a cremation?
A cremation will save you money compared to a burial, although you can conduct an affordable burial, which can be done for much less than a full traditional funeral. However, cremation offers a cheaper alternative than burial because no casket or cemetery plot is required.
As mentioned above, direct cremation is the least expensive disposition option. Suppose a funeral home or crematory handles the direct cremation for a low fee. In that case, the family can arrange their own memorial services, flowers, and any other ancillary services, and this can really save on costs.
Further Reading:
Funeral Planning Guide – Georgia: Full Guide answering many FAQs about arranging a funeral or cremation.
Ultimate Guide to Cremation 2023 – All you need to know (or didn’t know) about cremation.
$1,095 low cost cremation available to residents in Brantley, Bryan, Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Evans, Glynn, Liberty, McIntosh, Ware Counties, Avalon, Avondale, Bacon Park Area, Baldwin Park, Bartow, Bay Street Viaduct Area, Bayview, Beach High School Area, Beach Institute, Benjamin Van Clark Park, Berkshire Woods, Bingville, Blackshear, Blueberry Hill, Brookview, Cann Park, Carver Heights, Chatham Crescent, Chatham Parkway, Chippewa, Cloverdale, Coffee Bluff, Colonial Oaks, Colonial Village, Cuyler-Brownsville, Dawes Avenue, Dittmerville, Dixon Park, Downtown Savannah, East Savannah, East Victorian District, Eastside, Edgemere, Fairfield, Fairway Oaks, Fernwood, Forest Park, Forest Ridge, Gordonson, Gould Estates, Habersham Woods, Highland Park, Hillcrest, Hitch Village, Jackson Park, Kayton, Kensington Park, Largo Woods, Laurel Grove, Live Oak, Mayfair, Medical Arts, Metropolitan, Midtown, Nicholsville, North Historic District, Oakdale, Oakhurst, Oakland Park, Oglethorpe, Paradise Park, Parkside, Pine Gardens, Placentia Plantation, Poplar Place, Ridgewood, Rivers End, Rose Dhu, Sackville, Savannah Gardens, Savannah State University, Shirley Park, South Garden, South Historic District, Southover, Sunset Park, Sylvan Terrace, Tatumville, Thomas Square, Tremont Park, Twickenham, Victory Heights, Victory Manor, Victory Square, West Savannah, West Victorian District, White Bluff Estates, Windsor Forest, Winter Gardens, and Yamacraw Village
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.
