If you need to arrange a simple and affordable funeral, you may be considering a cremation service. More families today are choosing cremation as a funeral option.
You may have questions about cremation services and costs, so we have compiled this short guide to give you an overview of cremation services in Tulsa.
If you need a low-cost direct cremation, call your local DFS Memorials provider now at (918) 205-2141.
Why choose cremation?
We are hearing the phrase “we just want a simple cremation” so often today. Simplicity is a key aspect. The notion of traditional funeral rituals is diminishing. Families are choosing cremation because it is much more affordable than a traditional burial service. You can save thousands of dollars. No cemetery plot, burial vault, or casket is required. There is no need (or requirement) for embalming. So, eliminating these products and services saves you around $5,000.
Cremation can also offer more flexibility in arranging funeral services. Instead of a funeral having to go ahead immediately, a cremation can be conducted, and a memorial service held at a later date (and place).
Also, as people have become more mobile, some family members can pass away from their home state, and it may be easier (and more affordable) to conduct a cremation service at the place of death. Transportation can then be arranged for the cremated remains.
What do you need to know about the legal aspect of cremation?
If you choose cremation, there are some legal requirements that must be complied with. Before cremation can proceed, the legal next of kin must sign a ‘Cremation Authorization Form.‘ If the deceased had made pre-arrangements, he or she may have already authorized a cremation disposition.
If there is any disagreement between siblings or legal next of kin, this may prevent a cremation from going ahead.
You will also be asked to complete a Personal Information Form for the deceased. This provides the information for the death certificate. It is important to double-check that all the information is correct, as once issued, it is very difficult to have a death certificate amended.
The funeral director obtains the death certificate, and you can request additional copies if required. Once all the authorizations are complete, the cremation permit will be issued by Tulsa County.
How much does a cremation cost?
We are all asking this question now, but funeral directors often avoid giving a definitive answer. There are different types of cremation services. A funeral cremation with a ceremony held at the funeral home is going to cost more than a simple direct cremation service. The average price for a cremation memorial in Tulsa is priced at $2,855. This is when the cremation is performed first and a memorial service held with the cremated remains.
A direct cremation is the least expensive and simplest cremation option. The cremation is carried out, but the funeral home provides no ceremony or services. The deceased is collected, sheltered, the paperwork is completed, and the cremation is conducted. The cremated remains are returned directly to the family.
The family can hold a memorial service at a later date. The best price for a direct cremation in Tulsa is $945.
If your loved one was taken into the care of the Medical Examiner and you wish to arrange a cremation, you will still need to employ the services of a funeral director.
Only a licensed funeral director can collect a body from the coroner. You may need to visit the ME’s office to identify the body. Once the Medical Examiner has signed-off of the cause of death, the death certificate and cremation permit will be issued.
The Office of the Medical Examiner is located at 1115 W 17th Street, Tulsa, OK 74107. Phone (918) 295-3400.
What if we have no money for a funeral?
Unfortunately, more families are finding themselves struggling with unexpected funeral expenses these days. According to CNBC, “many Americans can’t afford a $400 emergency” without going into debt (or further debt). There is limited financial help for families.
Medicaid can offer some support, and Tulsa County Social Services has a program to assist with indigent burials. The department can be reached at (918) 596-5560.
Tulsa County Social Services, 2401 Charles Page Blvd, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74127
If you have further questions about cremation services in Tulsa, check out this Oklahoma Guide to Funeral Planning, or feel free to contact us.
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.
