The cremation trend is changing the way we think about arranging a funeral. Although the cremation rate in Illinois has typically been below the national rate, the demand for low-cost funeral alternatives is changing the way many families today approach death care.
How funeral care is changing and economic reasons for choosing cremation
Deciding whether to bury or cremate is a personal choice. For some families, the decision is dictated by the budget they have for a funeral, and a cremation service will cost less than a traditional burial funeral.
On average a cremation service is going to 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 choosing cremation as it offers greater flexibility. The funeral service does not have to go ahead immediately. Instead, a cremation can be performed and the immediate disposition of the body dealt with, and then a service held at a later date convenient to the family.
The economy has definitely impacted how we are changing our approach to death care today. Many families simply cannot or do not want to spend unnecessarily on funeral costs. Cremation provides a simple, efficient, and economical means to conduct a disposition.
So how much does a cremation cost in Belleville?
Firstly, it is important to state that cremation prices in Belleville 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.
The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) quote the average cost of a cremation at $3,200, however, it is possible to find much lower-priced cremation services in Belleville.
A basic cremation can be conducted in Belleville for as little as $1,895 complete*. 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. If desired, the family can arrange a brief final goodbye viewing at the funeral home.
Call DFS Memorials now at (618) 887-0006 to arrange a low-cost cremation for $1,895
How much does a burial funeral service cost in Belleville?
Again, the cost of a burial service can vary, depending upon what type of services you require and the cost of funeral merchandise such as the casket and burial vault. Cemetery costs also vary, and the overhead charged by a funeral home differs. The National Funeral Directors Association reports that the average funeral costs just under $8,000, but this does not include any cemetery fees.
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.
Cremation does offer versatility in what options you have, and when and where any services can be held.
How to compare cremation costs in Belleville, IL
As mentioned the cost of a cremation can vary enormously – for the exact same service – but from different cremation service providers. Ensure that you compare like-for-like services. Some cremation service providers include crematory fees and cremation container costs in a direct cremation package, and others do not always include these fees. Death certificate fees and cremation permits are often additional ‘cash advance’ items.
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 has to 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 Belleville
As mentioned above, there are laws in place regarding the cremation of human remains. A cremation cannot be performed until a cremation permit is issued by the medical examiner’s office. The legal next of kin must sign a Cremation Authorization Form.
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. Of course, you can inter them in a grave plot or niche. However, you can choose to store them in an urn at home or scatter them. There are also options such as having cremation artifacts made from cremated remains, such as cremation diamonds, glass jewelry, bird baths, and paintings.
Preplanning an affordable cremation service
If you wish to preplan a simple cremation, you can lock in a low-cost cremation price. This may depend upon your age at the time of 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 having to worry 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.
The deceased had no life insurance – is there any help with cremation costs?
It is sadly a reality that more folks are passing without leaving the means to pay for their funeral. 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.
The support for indigent burials differs greatly by state and county. To find out what may be available, you should contact the St. Clair County Human Services Department.
*death certificates are not included
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.
