The market for low-cost direct cremation is competitive in Austin, and to help families understand the cremation options available to them and the costs involved, we have compiled this short guide to arranging a low-cost cremation in Austin, TX.
Until recent years the cremation rate was low in Austin but the poor economic climate of recent years has resulted in a trend towards cremation as a lower-cost funeral alternative.
How can you save money by arranging a cremation?
Opting for a cremation service removes the need for several expensive funeral items. Embalming is not necessary, nor is a casket, and cemetery fees can be eliminated altogether if the cremated remains are not interred in a plot or are scattered. Even if the decision is made to inter cremated remains in a cremation niche, this can work out much cheaper than full burial and cemetery expenses.
All-in-all, you can save at least 40-50% of an average traditional funeral cost by opting for a low-cost cremation service in Austin. The average funeral cost (according to the National Funeral Directors Association) is $7,848, which does NOT include any cemetery costs.
What is the average cost of a cremation in Austin?
The average cost of a cremation in Austin is around $3,500. This is for a service replacing the traditional funeral and includes the full services of the funeral home to prepare the deceased, conduct a funeral ceremony, and select a mid-range cremation urn.
Direct Cremation in Austin
If you require a funeral on a budget or simply want a no-fuss cremation disposition, then a direct cremation is the least expensive cremation option. A direct cremation can be arranged in Austin for a low cost of just $795.00.
A direct cremation involves the funeral home or crematory collecting the deceased, sheltering him/her for the required 48-hour waiting period, and then conducting the cremation. There are no services or viewing, and a basic cremation container is used for the purpose of the cremation. The cremated remains are generally returned in a temporary container.
Comparing cremation costs and providers in Austin
Cremation costs vary considerably between funeral homes in Austin, even for the same service. Shopping around and comparing prices is important to ensure you are getting value for money. Do make sure you compare like-for-like cremation packages.
Ensure you check EXACTLY what is included in any direct cremation package. Often, what appears cheap can work out more when you add in those hidden extras. Is a copy of the death certificate included? Is the cremation container included in the price? What fee would be charged for refrigerated storage if the cremation cannot proceed after 48 hours? Are there any hidden fees for collecting from an out-of-hours or residential address?
Hopefully, this information can assist you in making an informed decision about which cremation service provider offers the best value cremation service in Austin.
The DFS Memorials provider in Austin offers the most competitive direct cremation price for a low cost in the Greater Austin area.
Direct cremation service $795 Call (512) 253-1110
Is there any help with cremation costs in Austin?
Financial assistance for funeral expenses is not widely available. Each state/county has its own budget to deal with indigent burials (those that become the state’s responsibility), but any other assistance can be limited. You need to contact your local Social or Human Services if you need aid and find out if you qualify for any support.
There is the $255 Social Security death benefit for those who qualify, and of course, veterans are entitled to a free cemetery plot/cremation niche and grave marker.
DFS Memorials $795 cremation is available throughout Travis, Williamson, Bastrop, Lee, Burnet, Blanco, and Hays Counties and Austin, Texas, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Lake Travis, Georgetown, & Cedar Park.
I have been researching and writing about the death care industry for the last fifteen years. End of life services and experiences are something most of us choose not to reflect upon until we are suddenly faced with dealing with it. I have been contributing comprehensive and independent resources for families that explain how the funeral industry operates, and the laws that govern funeral practices. Sara writes for US Funerals Online and DFS Memorials LLC, as well as contributing to other forums and publications for the death care industry. I have a BA in Cultural Studies. This helps my analysis of cultural death care rituals, alongside a career background in Business Management. The death care industry is undergoing an epoch of change and this fascinates me.
