Americans are demanding more affordable death care options. With the high cost of traditional funerals and especially burial plot costs in NYC, cremation is proving an alternative disposition choice that is more affordable. A direct cremation can be arranged for just $495 in Staten Island.
Why is cremation more affordable?
In simple terms, a cremation eliminates several services and funeral products that usually have a high price tag. You do not need a casket for a cremation service.
Although some funeral homes offer rental caskets, if you wish to have a funeral service before the cremation. You do not need a burial vault or cemetery plot, and embalming is not required for cremation. Eliminating these few things can reduce costs by between $3,000 – $8,000.
Cemetery plots in New York City are expensive due to the limited space available. A typical plot can cost around $14,000, which significantly adds to the funeral bill.
What does a cremation cost in Staten Island?
The price of cremation varies. Firstly, it depends on what type of cremation service you select. A Cremation Funeral is very like a traditional funeral, but the deceased is cremated after the service, so a burial plot is not required.
A cremation funeral typically costs around $3,600, depending on the type of ceremony, the purchase of a casket, and the chosen funeral home.
A Cremation Memorial is where the deceased is cremated before a memorial service is held with the cremation urn. This type of cremation service is typically less expensive than a traditional cremation funeral.
What is a direct cremation?
Direct cremation is the industry term for a simple cremation with no ceremony or services. This is the least expensive cremation option.
The price for a direct cremation in Staten Island differs from one funeral home to another, but you can arrange a direct cremation for as little as $495.
Why is the crematory fee added to a funeral home’s direct cremation service fee?
In NY, a funeral home is not allowed to own and operate a crematory. All crematories are not-for-profit operations. This means that a funeral director must pay the crematory fee as a ‘third-party’ fee and, therefore, must charge it separately from their basic funeral service charge.
Several crematories operate throughout New York City and New Jersey, and funeral homes utilize them. The crematory fee varies. The best-value fee is $140, but depending on the crematory, it can be as much as $408.
What additional fees are there to pay for a direct cremation in Staten Island?
There is a $40 NYC cremation permit charge, and the death certificate costs $15. If the deceased passed away at home, an additional charge applies for a residential collection, as this requires an extra person. The additional fee is $150.
The other additional fee can be the mailing of cremated remains. The cost to mail the ashes is $40 within NYC and $75 outside the boroughs.
What are the legal requirements for a cremation to proceed?
As cremation is a final disposition method, there are strict laws governing the practice. The legal next of kin must sign a ‘Cremation Authorization Form’ before a cremation can proceed.
The funeral director will file for the death certificate and permit to cremate. Once all this paperwork is in order, the cremation can be scheduled.
What can you do with the cremated remains after the direct cremation?
The cremated remains are returned immediately to the family after a direct cremation. The family can choose to hold their own memorial service or ash-scattering service if so desired. The ashes can be kept at home or interred in a cremation niche or family cemetery plot.
Scattering at sea in Staten Island can be added to a direct cremation package for an additional $290.
For more options about what to do with cremated remains and how to memorialize them, check out our Memorialization and What to do with the Cremation Ashes section on the blog.
What if the deceased is at the Medical Examiner’s?
If the deceased was transferred to the medical examiner, you will need the services of a funeral director to collect and transport them to the crematory.
This can sometimes be an expedited service, as the funeral director can collect all the necessary permits and paperwork while collecting the deceased.
Is there any help with cremation costs in Staten Island?
Unfortunately, more families are finding themselves struggling with funeral expenses these days. NYC offers a burial assistance program to low-income NYC residents. You can download the form from the link here.
There is also the $255 Social Security lump-sum death benefit payment (if the deceased qualified).
Sara Marsden-Ille is a writer and researcher specialising in the death care industry. With more than 15 years covering end-of-life services, funeral trends, and consumer funeral planning, she writes for DFS Memorials and US Funerals Online to help families make informed decisions.
