The cremation trend is sweeping our nation and is already a popular disposition choice in Washington, with 6 in 10 families opting for cremation for their end-of-life disposition choice. Why is cremation the preferred choice for Seattle families? Cremation offers a simple, affordable, and flexible funeral option. With this in mind, we have put together this guide to help you better understand cremation costs in Seattle.
Why choose cremation over burial?
There are several reasons why families are now choosing cremation rather than burial. Cost is by far the most common reason why a family will now opt for cremation. A cremation generally costs at least one-third of the cost of a traditional funeral. Traditionalism is also in
decline, as is religiosity, and we are now much more environmentally aware. Cremation offers a cheaper, non-secular, and eco-friendly alternative to traditional burial
What are cremation costs in Seattle?
This is the ‘magic’ question that most families want to answer now before they proceed with making funeral arrangements. We live in an era where price comparison is the norm, and finding a deal is an important aspect of how we purchase services and products. A funeral can be a large purchase for many families and one that they do not want to spend unnecessarily on.
The popularity of simple cremation in Seattle has resulted in competitive cremation rates. There is a demand for simple cremation services in Seattle, and it is possible to arrange a basic cremation for $895. A cremation with a memorial service is likely to cost between $2,000 and $4,000.
A direct cremation is a term used for the simplest and most economical cremation service. No services are offered with a direct cremation.
DFS Memorials offers a complete direct cremation in Seattle for $895. Hospice patients can claim a $100 discount on this price.
Call (206) 745-9744 now
How do the cremation costs compare in the Seattle-Tacoma area?
The cost of a cremation service can vary considerably within the same area and between funeral service providers for the exact same service. A direct cremation service can cost from around $900 to around $3,000.
What is included with a direct cremation in Seattle?
A direct cremation generally includes:
- Collecting the deceased
- Preparing all the necessary paperwork (death certificates, cremation authorization, cremation permit, etc)
- Preparation of the body for cremation
- Storage of the remains until the cremation can be performed*
- A basic cremation container
- The cremation fee
- A temporary urn (to return the cremated remains to the family)
The death certificate and cremation permit fees are ‘cash advances’, an extra fee added to most direct cremation packages.
Additional costs may be incurred or option for a residential removal, additional mileage (if outside a service area), extended storage (if cremation cannot be performed after a mandatory waiting period), oversize cremation fee (for individuals weighing over 300 lbs) and the selection of a cremation urn.
Life celebration and cremation
Today, we are moving into an era where funerals are less somber events and more of a celebration of a life lived. Cremation offers a great opportunity to arrange a life celebration ceremony.
A memorial service does not have to be held immediately when family and friends are still in the midst of their immediate grief but can be scheduled at a later date. A celebrant can work with the family to plan a Life Tribute almost equivalent to how a wedding planner would stage a grand wedding ceremony!
What can you do with the cremated remains?
Cremated remains can be interred in a grave or columbarium, stored at home in a cremation urn, scattered, or converted into a myriad of cremation artifacts.
Cremation Memorialization – How to create a personalized tribute
“Personalization” is the buzz phrase in the funeral industry today. As funeral profits have declined with lower-cost cremation services, many funeral homes in Seattle have looked towards personalization and the many cremation memorialization industries to help make incremental revenue.
Many families want to do something unique with their cremation ashes, and these days, the options are almost limitless! You can have a cremation diamond made for around $3,000, have ashes embedded into a memorial reef for around $6,000, or have cremation ashes blast into space or tattooed into your body!
Ash scattering in Seattle.
Ash scattering is proving to be a simpler and less expensive memorialization option for those who want a simpler and less expensive option. Cremated remains can be scattered at sea in Puget Sound or over land in the deceased’s favorite spot.
Read this guide on Ash Scattering for more information.
Preplanning a basic cremation in Seattle
Preplanning your funeral wishes can save a family from the decision-making process at a time of immense distress and ensure your wishes are met. You can set up a prepaid cremation plan where the funds are put in trust or take out insurance that covers your cremation needs. Call (206) 745-9744 now to discuss pre-planning a basic cremation.
Alternatively, you can prearrange with a cremation provider and put the required funds aside in a payable-on-death (POD) account. This ensures your money remains in your control and any interest accrued stays with you. At the time of death, the named beneficiary can withdraw the funds and pay the funeral home.
Cremation is revolutionizing how we view death care, how much it costs, and how we memorialize it in the 21st century.
I have been researching and writing about the death care industry for the last fifteen years. End of life services and experiences are something most of us choose not to reflect upon until we are suddenly faced with dealing with it. I have been contributing comprehensive and independent resources for families that explain how the funeral industry operates, and the laws that govern funeral practices. Sara writes for US Funerals Online and DFS Memorials LLC, as well as contributing to other forums and publications for the death care industry. I have a BA in Cultural Studies. This helps my analysis of cultural death care rituals, alongside a career background in Business Management. The death care industry is undergoing an epoch of change and this fascinates me.
