A funeral need not cost you an arm and a leg! Although a traditional funeral can run into cost of thousands of dollars – there are more affordable options. This article explores low cost cremation alternatives and how to find an affordable funeral services provider.
What is the average cost of a funeral in Biloxi?
The National Funeral Directors Association’s nationwide survey of 2012 evaluated the average cost of a traditional funeral at $7,045, without any cemetery costs.
This means that the average funeral costs in total can run to around $10,000 with burial vault and grave plot. This is just an average figure and a funeral can cost you more, or less, than this depending upon the funeral service provider and the funeral merchandise you select. A casket is one of the largest expenses of a funeral, and the cost of a casket can range from $995 to $9,000.
What is the average cost of a cremation in Biloxi?
Cremation can offer a much cheaper alternative to a full traditional burial. A cremation eliminates the need for a casket, possibly embalming, and the cemetery charges. How much a cremation service will cost largely depends upon the type of service you select. A cremation with a service beforehand (very similar to a traditional funeral service) will cost in the region of $3,000 – $6,000. Again much depends upon whether you purchase or rent a casket and how elaborate a service is held.
Different Cremation Packages
There are other, and generally more affordable, cremation options. A cremation memorial service is where the cremation is performed and a service is held afterwards, either with, or without, the cremated remains present. There are also options such as a private family farewell cremation. This is where the funeral home facilitates the opportunity for close family to have visitation with the deceased prior to the cremation. The cheapest cremation option is a direct cremation.
Direct cremation in Biloxi
A direct cremation is sometimes referred to as an immediate cremation. It simply means that a cremation is carried out immediately and with no services at all. It is the most affordable way that a family can conduct a disposition. Once the family has the cremated remains returned (usually with a few days), a memorial service, or ash scattering ceremony can be held. A direct cremation allows family to take care of the process of the cremation at a minimal cost. Memorial services can be organized by the family and/or church and held at a location of the family’s choice. A direct cremation can cost between $995 and $2,895, depending on the funeral home selected.
How do I choose a cremation provider in Biloxi?
Choosing a funeral or cremation provider is not always an easy task. As we have outlined above, the range of services and prices for funeral and cremations, can vary considerably between providers. It is essential to be aware of this, and to consider shopping around to compare cremation packages from more than one funeral home, to ensure the cremation services provider you select can meet the needs of your family.
How can you save money by arranging a cremation?
A cremation will generally save you around 40 – 50% on the cost of a traditional burial. But you can also save further by considering a direct cremation and coordinating your own memorial services. Your church and other support networks may assist you with this. It is possible to make your own memorial products for a service, which can save you further expenditure.
Low cost cremation in Biloxi
If you are interested in a low cost cremation in Biloxi, we would suggest you may wish to contact the DFS memorial provider. They cover the Gulf Coast region from Bay St. Louis through to Pascagoula / Moss Point.
We can’t afford a funeral. Is there any help with cremation costs in Biloxi?
Sadly more families than ever are finding themselves struggling to make ends meet, and unexpected funeral expenses can be a crisis! If the deceased had made no provision for his/her funeral costs, then the responsibility falls to the next of kin. Limited financial assistance is available. There is the $255 Social Security death benefit (if qualifying), and veterans are entitled to some benefits. Failing that it is largely down to the family to raise the funds to cover disposition arrangements.
Each state does have its own budget to cover indigent burials but this is now almost entirely allocated to covering the costs only for those who become a responsibility of the state. Sometimes there is some public aid and you would need to make inquiries to your local county Social Services. There are also union, faith and charity groups that support the bereaved with funeral expenses. You can read further in this article ‘What are your options on how to pay for a funeral or cremation?’.
Serving families in George, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, and Stone Counties and throughout Long Beach, Mississippi City, Handsboro, Beauvoir, St. Martin, D’Iberville, Ocean Springs, Gulf Hills, Cedar Lake, Wool Market, Popps Ferry Rd, Saint Martin, W Gay Rd N / Whetston, Van Buren Ave, Pass Rd / Fernwood Rd, Irish Hill Dr, Rodenberg Ave / Pass Rd.