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
Arranging an affordable basic cremation in Toronto, ON
Cremation remains the preferred choice for many Canadians, with the national rate reaching 76.7% in 2024—a steady increase from 73.7% in 2020, although growth is slowing as rates approach saturation. This article provides easy steps to arranging a simple cremation in Toronto, ON: Your updated guide. In Ontario, this trend reflects broader shifts toward affordable,…
March 12, 2026
Cremation costs in 2026: Your Guide to Average Prices by State & City
Cremation is now chosen by more than 63% of American families — and that number is rising. Yet for most families, especially those arranging services under emotional pressure, understanding what a cremation actually costs remains genuinely confusing. Prices vary widely by provider, location, and service type, ranging from under $800 at the low end to…
March 6, 2026
Creating a Heartfelt Family-Led Memorial After Direct Cremation: A Guide for Families
Key tips & guidance for how to create your own personalized family-led celebration Memorial Service after a cremation
March 6, 2026
What if I should die while traveling away from home? Funeral Planning with Travel Protection?
Guide to how to protect your family from the cost and stress of coping with a death when traveling & away from home. Easy, low-cost cover for just $450 a lifetime of protection and peace of mind.
March 1, 2026
Simple cremation in Tallahassee, FL
If you have an immediate or imminent need for a simple, low-cost cremation in Tallahassee, then we can help you arrange everything for one low price of $1,195. Our attitudes to death and funerals are changing, and many families are finding that cremation offers a simpler and more affordable option. More families are deciding they…
February 27, 2026
Guide to low cost cremation in Gainesville, FL
The cremation trend is sweeping our nation and is already a popular disposition choice in Florida, with 6 in every 10 families opting for cremation for their end-of-life disposition choice. Why is cremation the preferred choice for Gainesville families? Cremation offers a simple, affordable, and flexible funeral option that is preferred by many families today. …
February 27, 2026
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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