The cremation rate has grown exponentially over the last 12 years, with just over 60% of Americans now opting for a cremation funeral.
Use our Local Provider Search to find your nearest DFS location & Cremation Price.
Why are more Americans choosing cremation?
Several reasons are cited, but by far, the most common reason is COST. Economic conditions for the majority of Americans mean that the days of elaborate and costly traditional burials are over.
A traditional burial would cost between $10,000 and $20,000, depending on the cost of the casket and cemetery plot. If the deceased had not made any pre-need funeral plan and the surviving family was left to fork out for the funeral, then spending tens of thousands of dollars is just NOT an option.
CNN reports that 76% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. These folks cannot afford the sudden ‘disruption’ to their finances caused by an unexpected expenditure such as a funeral.
And let’s face the harsh reality: there really is NO financing for a funeral. Seriously, who will lend money based on having no means to ‘re-possess’ the goods?!!
Lower costs mean cremation is the preferred choice for many families
So, for many Americans, cremation has just entered the scene as the ONLY viable, affordable alternative to conduct a funeral.
A cremation service will cost you within the region of $3,000 – $4000.
This is a full-service funeral but with a cremation conducted after the service.
A cremation memorial in which the deceased is first cremated and then a memorial service is held with the cremated remains costs less than a full-service cremation.
A cremation memorial is likely to cost in the region of $1,500 – $2,500.
For families that can only afford the bare minimum or for those families that do not desire any services whatsoever, direct cremation is the solution. In a direct cremation, the funeral home and/or crematory simply conduct the cremation of the deceased and return the remains to the family.
In most cities, a direct cremation costs between $695 and $1,595. Rural prices tend to be higher. But, it is fair to say that in most of the U.S., you can conduct a direct cremation service for around $1,000.
How to find the cheapest local cremation service
Use our Local Provider Search to find your nearest DFS location & Cremation Price.
It is always wise to check cremation prices from more than one funeral home or cremation service provider. You will quickly discover that the cost of a cremation service can vary, even for the exact same service.
If cost is king for you and you want to arrange a low-cost direct cremation and keep your funeral costs to a minimum, then DFS Memorials can help you. DFS Memorials is a network of local, independent funeral homes, all offering an affordable direct cremation package.
We conducted extensive price comparison research to recruit a local cremation provider that represented the best value in quality and price for a simple direct cremation.
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.
