Today, more funeral consumers are requesting simple cremation services. This trend is said to be driven by several cultural changes—economic, environmental, people migration, declining religiosity, and baby boomers. Whatever the reason, cremation is changing our perspectives on funeral options and end-of-life alternatives. This short guide aims to provide you with an overview of how to arrange a simple, low-cost cremation in New Jersey.
Economic reasons for choosing cremation
Deciding whether to bury or cremate is a personal choice. For some families, the decision is dictated by their funeral budget. A cremation service will cost much less than a traditional burial funeral.
On average, a cremation service will save you at least 40% on the cost of a burial; sometimes, you can save as much as 60% on the cost of a burial service. More families are leaning towards cremation as it does offer greater flexibility. The funeral service does not have to go ahead immediately. A cremation can be performed, and then a service can be held at a later date convenient to the family.
The economy has had a big impact on how we manage death care today. Many families simply cannot afford or do not want to spend unnecessarily on funeral costs. Cremation provides a simple, efficient, and economical means of disposition.
What is the cost of a direct cremation in New Jersey?
Firstly, it is important to state that cremation prices in New Jersey DO vary quite considerably between funeral homes and depending on what type of cremation service you opt for. Not all funeral homes have their own crematory but will use the services of a local crematory. New Jersey has become very competitive for affordable cremation services and you will find a number of cremation providers offering direct cremation packages in New Jersey for between $995 – $3,000.
A basic cremation can be conducted in New Jersey for low-cost of $995. This is what is known as a “direct cremation”. No services are performed, the deceased is collected, transported to the funeral facility, prepared for cremation and the cremation is conducted.
The cremated remains are returned to the family in a temporary plastic urn.
Call DFS Memorials now at (877) 833-3770 to arrange a direct cremation for just $995
What type of cremation services are available?
You can select from a range of cremation services and packages. These will start with a basic cremation without any additional services, which is the cheapest type of cremation package. You can have a full-service funeral that is followed by the cremation, a cremation followed by a memorial service, or just a viewing followed by a cremation. The change in the funeral industry today is the move towards ‘personalization’ and making a funeral service that fits the family’s needs, whatever they are.
How do I know that the cremated remains I get back are my loved one’s remains?
This is probably the most common cremation question we receive. Strict laws govern the cremation of human remains, and identity checks must be made along the way. The cremation retort must be completely cleared following a cremation, and only one can be performed at a time. The remains are cleared into a machine that filters out any metal parts (tooth fillings, hip replacements, etc.) and then ground into the fine ‘dust’ that is returned as cremation ashes.
Understanding the legal requirements for cremation in New Jersey
As mentioned above, there are laws regarding the cremation of human remains. A cremation cannot be performed until a permit is issued by the medical examiner’s office. The legal next of kin must sign a Cremation Authorization Form, and it usually takes about three days to make all the necessary arrangements and complete the paperwork. An expedited service can be arranged if required.
It is not necessary to embalm a body for cremation, and refrigerated storage is used to preserve the body until the cremation is performed. The funeral home will generally store the body for up to 5 days in refrigerated storage at no extra charge. If the cremation does not go ahead within 5 days, an additional fee for storage may be incurred.
What can we do with the cremated remains?
Cremation offers some greater flexibility in what you can do with the cremated remains once you have them returned. You can, of course, inter them in a grave plot or niche.
However, you can choose to store them in an urn at home or scatter the cremated remains.
There are also options, such as having cremation artifacts made from cremated remains, such as cremation diamonds, glass jewelry, birdbaths, and paintings.
Preplanning an affordable direct cremation service in New Jersey
If you wish to preplan a simple cremation, you can lock in a low-cost cremation price in New Jersey. This may depend upon your age when setting up a prepaid cremation plan. A cremation plan can be set up using an insurance policy where the funds are put into a trust. You can also opt to preplan your cremation service without prepaying.
This ensures that your surviving family can proceed with arrangements at the time of need without worrying about completing the paperwork or making difficult decisions. The money to pay for the cremation can be put aside in a POD account (Payable on Death), which your beneficiary can draw out upon death immediately without probate.
Can an overweight body be cremated?
A standard cremation at the inclusive cost of $900 is for a person who weighs up to 300 pounds. Over this weight, there is an additional charge as additional work is required to prepare the body, reinforce the cremation container, and use extra gas. The additional amount will depend upon the weight of the deceased.
The deceased had no life insurance – is there any help with cremation costs in New Jersey?
Unfortunately, more people are passing without leaving the means to pay for their funerals. If you are faced with this situation, you need to explore what help may be available to you. Social Security pays out a $255 lump sum death benefit (if you qualify), and your funeral director can assist you with this.
Direct Cremation $995
To make immediate arrangements, preplan, or ask any questions – Call (877) 833-3770
Serving families in Bayonne, Camden, Clifton, East Orange, Edison, Elizabeth, Irvington, Jersey City, Newark, Orange, Passaic, Paterson, Toms River, Trenton, Union, Union City, Vineland, Wayne, and throughout the counties of Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex County, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union, Warren.
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.
