Sara Marsden-Ille
Co-founder & Editor — DFS Memorials
Sara Marsden-Ille is the co-founder and editor of DFS Memorials as well as US Funerals Online. She has been writing about funeral planning, consumer rights, and cremation costs since 2003, when US Funerals Online launched — one of the first independent funeral consumer resources in the United States. Sara is responsible for editorial standards across the DFS Memorials network and helps to host the Cremation Nation podcast.
Recent Articles Published
$795 Simple cremation in Pasadena, TX
If you have an immediate or imminent need for a simple, low-cost cremation in Pasadena, then we can help you arrange everything for one low price of $795. Our attitudes to death and funerals are changing, and many families are finding that cremation offers a more simple and affordable option. More families are deciding they…
September 30, 2024
How Much Does Cremation Cost Without Any Services?
If you need assistance with a low-cost cremation without a service - Use our Local Provider Search to find cremation costs and providers near you. Cremation has become popular for end-of-life arrangements due to its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and environmental considerations. While some families still opt for full-service funerals or memorial services, more families now prefer…
July 6, 2024
Do I need a funeral home if I just want cremation?
Last reviewed: July 2026 by Sara Marsden-Ille I have been asked this question several times by families. With the increasing interest in direct cremation, a family may question their need to deal with a funeral home at all. Now, this may all depend on your state and whether your funeral services provider has its own…
June 25, 2024
Funeral Service vs. Memorial Service: What’s the Difference?
What is the difference between a funeral service and a memorial service? This guide clearly explains the key differences in timing, atmosphere, cost, and flexibility — and how cremation changes your options.
June 12, 2024
Arranging a simple, low cost cremation in Lafayette, LA
More families today are worried about the high cost of dying. If that is the case for you, this short guide can help you save on funeral costs by arranging a dignified and simple cremation. A simple cremation costs from $1,695 to $2,300. How much does a funeral cost? A traditional funeral service in Lafayette…
May 18, 2024
How to arrange a direct cremation in Lake City, FL for $995
Why pay unnecessarily for funeral costs? Direct Cremation can offer an easy, flexible, and affordable solution for those families who do not want to spend thousands of dollars on a funeral in Lake City. Many families today simply cannot afford to spend more than $6,000 on a funeral service. Cremation offers a more affordable alternative,…
May 16, 2024
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As Featured In
Cremation Association of North America [CANA] – From Tradition to Transformation: Women, Doulas, & the New Shape of Cremation & Death Care.
2/4/2026