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
What is a public assistance funeral?
The poor economy has taken its toll on many American families, and as many struggle just to put food on the table, a death can be an additional financial strain. Fewer and fewer people are investing in funeral plans or burial insurance simply because savings and insurance policies are some of the first things to…
March 20, 2024
What does cremation cost in Upper Darby, PA? $1,295 direct cremation
Cremation is now becoming the preferred death care option for families. Not only can cremation offer a much more affordable alternative to a burial, but it also offers families a more flexible option for arranging death care. This article should help you understand funeral and cremation costs in Upper Darby and how you can save…
March 19, 2024
What can I do with the cremated Remains?
Today, as more families choose cremation as a final disposition option, more folks consider what they can do with the cremation ashes once they are returned. With the U.S. cremation rate now above 60% — and predicted to reach a staggering 87% by 2040 — it is a question more families face every year. Typically,…
March 18, 2024
Cremation in Virginia Beach for $1,650 complete
Cremation is becoming an increasingly popular choice for disposition in the Virginia Beach area. The cost of a cremation is significantly less than the cost of a traditional burial, and with the tough economic times, opting for cremation can save families thousands of dollars and make death care more affordable. The average cost of a…
March 16, 2024
So, what is ‘Direct Cremation’? And why do many in the funeral industry not want to talk about it?
Our nation is changing its death care preferences, and cremation now accounts for over 60% of funerals. This trend is set to continue, with the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) forecasting the cremation rate to reach 85% by 2035. This is leading more families to start considering cremation and asking questions about what options they…
March 15, 2024
Guide to simple cremation in Elizabeth, NJ – Just $995 complete
Do you need to save money on funeral costs? Looking for a simple and inexpensive alternative to a traditional funeral service? Consider arranging a simple cremation service for $995. More families are opting to conduct a simple, no-fuss direct cremation and then perform their own memorial service at a venue of their choosing. This all…
March 15, 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