What is the average cost of a funeral in Vancouver, WA?
These days, we are discerning consumers and very mindful of costs. 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 for researching funeral costs from the comfort of your own home.
Unfortunately, not all funeral homes have websites or put their prices online, so we have put this guide together to outline the average funeral and cremation costs in Vancouver for you.
The average cost of a traditional funeral in Vancouver is $5,307*.
So, how do cremation costs compare in Vancouver?
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 Vancouver is $2,434*.
But the most economical and ‘no-fuss’ option is a direct cremation.
Direct cremation services in Vancouver, WA
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, cremated, and the remains 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 Vancouver for as little as $695, although the average price for a direct cremation is $1,137*. Call (360) 218-7771 to arrange an affordable direct cremation.
Are there any additional fees with a direct cremation package?
The county must issue a ‘disposition permit’ for a cremation to be conducted. Death certificates are an additional cost, as they are issued by the county and are a third-party expense. Death certificates cost $20.00 each. Further copies can be ordered from Clark County Community Health at 1601 E 4th Plain Blvd, Building 17, 4th Floor, Vancouver, WA 98661 (360) 397-8092.
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 all along the way. 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’ 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?
One reason cremation is becoming more popular is the options available to you regarding the cremated remains of your loved one. Of course, you can choose to inter the remains in a cemetery plot, a niche or columbarium, or keep the ashes at home.
Keepsake urns even enable you to disperse the ashes among several family members or scatter some and retain a ‘keepsake’ memorial.
Ash scattering is also more common these days, and there are many options for creating 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 that will cover this cost when the need arises. 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. There is generally a mandatory wait period after the death before a cremation can proceed – 24-48 hours.
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. You need to inquire with Clark County Community Services to determine whether assistance is available.
If the deceased qualifies, you can also claim a $255 lump-sum Social Security death benefit payment, which your funeral director can help you do.
*funeral prices obtained from online funeral price survey website 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.
