The U.S. is experiencing a dramatic shift towards cremation as families demand more affordable death care alternatives.
And for those families in Paterson who do not want to overspend on a funeral or simply cannot afford a costly funeral, cremation is a low-cost alternative.
This article gives a brief overview of the average cremation cost and how to save money when making funeral arrangements.
What is the average cost of a funeral in Paterson?
These days we are price-conscious consumers, very mindful of costs, and people now realize they can price-shop for funeral services. Why should we not ask how much it costs? The Internet offers a great tool to research funeral costs from the comfort of your own home. Unfortunately, not all funeral homes in Paterson have websites or put their prices online, so we have put this guide together to outline average funeral and cremation costs in Paterson for you.
The average cost of a traditional funeral in Paterson is $6,250*, although the lowest price is $5,525*.
So, how do cremation costs compare in Paterson?
Cremation offers a cheaper and more flexible alternative to a traditional burial and can, therefore, significantly reduce funeral costs.
No casket, cemetery plot, or burial vault is required, immediately reducing some of the most expensive purchases related to funeral expenses.
The average price for a cremation funeral service in Paterson is $3,193*.
Direct cremation services in Paterson, NJ
Direct cremation is the industry term for a ‘simple cremation.’ The funeral home provides only the cremation service, no ceremony or funeral services. The deceased is collected and cremated, and the remains are returned to the family in a basic urn.
Direct cremation offers families lower-cost funeral services and more control over the time and type of memorial ceremonial services they desire. A memorial service can be held in a place of worship, a community venue, or even outdoors. The service can be conducted with or without the cremation urn present and can even take the form of an ash-scattering ceremony or interment in a cremation niche or scattering garden.
A basic direct cremation is available in Paterson for $995, although the average price is $1,565*. To help families arrange affordable cremation services, we have selected only family-owned cremation service providers who can offer a basic cremation package for just $995.
Direct cremation means a family can manage to conduct dignified funeral services for as little as $995
Call now at (973) 221-3351 now to arrange a low-cost cremation
Are there any additional fees to the $995 cremation package?
The $995 direct cremation package is a complete package, including a death certificate. Additional death certificates and cremation urns can be purchased at an additional cost.
How do I know that I am getting the remains of my loved one back?
This is one of the most frequent questions families ask about cremation. Strict laws govern the cremation of human remains, and identity checks must be made throughout the process. The cremation retort must be completely cleared following a cremation, and only one cremation can be performed at a time. The remains are cleared into a machine that filters out any metal parts (tooth fillings, hip replacements) and then ground into the fine ‘dust’ that is returned as cremation ashes.
What if I am not sure about cremation or the family cannot agree about cremation?
Cremation is such a final disposition that you need to ensure that you are completely sure that this is the ‘right’ disposition choice for you. Certain laws ensure that this final disposition can only proceed if the legal next of kin has authorized it. A Cremation Authorization Form must be signed by the legal next of kin, and in the case of children, many funeral directors will require all children to sign.
You can authorize an agent for your final disposition or sign the authorization when you preplan a cremation.
What can you do with the cremated remains?
The options of what you can do with the cremated remains of your loved one are one of the reasons cremation is becoming more popular. You can, of course, just choose to inter the remains in a cemetery plot. You can inter the remains in a niche or columbarium, or you can keep the ashes at home. Keepsake urns even enable you to disperse the ashes between several family members or choose to scatter some and retain a ‘keepsake’ memorial.
Ash scattering is also more common these days and there are many options for how you can create a befitting ash scattering ceremony.
Can I preplan a direct cremation at an affordable cost?
Yes. You can preplan a simple direct cremation service. This is generally funded through an insurance product covering this cost when needed. All monies are secured in a trust fund.
How quickly can a cremation be performed?
It generally takes a few days to make the necessary arrangements, complete all the legal paperwork, and schedule the cremation. However, expedited services can be arranged if required. In New Jersey, there is a mandatory 48-hour wait period after death before a cremation can be conducted.
What do I do if I cannot even afford a cremation?
There is very little ‘free’ money to help families with funeral costs. What is available constantly changes due to budget constraints and varies by county. Some counties do have a provision to assist needy or low-income families. Contact Passaic County DFCS to find out what may be available to you locally.
Passaic County DFCS, 80 Hamilton Street Paterson, NJ 07505-2057 (973) 881-0100
If the deceased qualifies, there is also a $255 lump sum Social Security death benefit payment, which your funeral director can help you claim. So, if your family is struggling financially, a low-cost cremation at $995 with DFS Memorials may be a dignified yet affordable disposition alternative.
If you have further questions about cremation, feel free to call us at (973) 221-3351. We will be happy to help.
*funeral prices obtained from online funeral price survey website January 2024
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.
