Funerals need not be as expensive as many people have been led to believe. If you are looking for an affordable cremation service, this guide can help. Parting.com surveyed the average funeral cost in Metairie in 2024 at $9,325.
However, a direct cremation can be conducted for just $1,550.
The full cost of a traditional burial funeral is out of many families means these days. Below is an overview of local cremation costs and how to save money on funeral expenses.
How much can I expect to pay for a funeral service in Metairie?
The cost of a funeral varies. It will depend upon the type of funeral service you choose and the funeral service provider you select. If you do any research with local funeral homes, you will discover that the price for a funeral package will vary from different providers, even for the exact same services! Whilst the NFDA can quote the average funeral cost at $7,848, arranging a funeral for considerably less than this is possible.
How much does a cremation cost in Metairie?
The average price of a direct cremation in Metairie is $2,745*, again depending on the type of cremation service chosen. A full-service cremation costs more than a simple direct cremation. A simple, direct cremation package price of $1,550 is offered by DFS Memorials.
How do I select a funeral services provider?
If you have no prior experience with a funeral services provider this can seem an overwhelming task. Consult with friends and associates and seek recommendations. If you are using the Internet to research funeral services and prices in Metairie, be sure to check the ownership of who you are dealing with.
Some funeral companies have set up online budget cremation businesses, and some corporate groups also trade as low-cost cremation companies. If you are in doubt, ask if they are independently owned. DFS Memorials only works with reputable, licensed, and independently owned funeral homes.
How to Save on Funeral Costs.
These days, many of us are concerned about having the necessary funds to conduct funeral services for a loved one if no provision was made. Let’s face it…not many folks can produce thousands of dollars at the drop of a hat! There are ways that you can ensure you keep your funeral expenses to a minimum.
Generally, cremation is less expensive than burial, as no immediate cemetery fees are required for cremation. However, a dignified burial can be achieved at a very affordable cost.
Opting for cremation means a casket, burial vault, or cemetery plot is unnecessary. Eliminating these costs alone can save several thousand dollars.
What is ‘direct cremation’?
A direct cremation is where the deceased is cremated, but no services or ceremony is held. The funeral director offers minimal services to collect the deceased, prepare the body for cremation, and process all the required paperwork.
The deceased is cremated in a simple cremation container, and the remains are made available for the family to collect or have delivered to them. No funeral home visit is required for a direct cremation service. Often, the funeral director will visit you at home to sign the paperwork and consult with you about arrangements.
A direct cremation is becoming very popular as a way in which the funeral home can assist in the immediate disposition of the deceased for an affordable fee but leaves the family with the opportunity to conduct their own memorial ceremony once they have the cremated remains back.
What can I do with the cremated remains?
You can inter cremated remains into a grave plot or niche at a cemetery, keep a cremation urn at home, or scatter the remains in a place of your choosing. There are many options for how we can memorialize a lost loved one, and there is now a range of cremation artifacts that can be created to help us immortalize the memory of a loved one, from birdbaths made with concrete infused with cremation ashes to memorial diamonds! Some families choose to scatter ashes in a memorable place for a loved one’s last resting place. Read this section on Ash Scattering for more ideas.
What if the deceased is at the Medical Examiners?
If the deceased is at the Medical Examiner’s office, you need to appoint a funeral director to arrange for the body to be released into their care. Only a licensed funeral director can collect a body from the county morgue.
What if the deceased had no life insurance?
More often, these days, family members are passing, and we find out that they had no life insurance or funeral plan. This can mean surviving families are burdened with a funeral bill that they cannot afford to pay. There is very little financial support to assist families in this situation, varying significantly by state and county. We suggest you contact the Jefferson Parish Public Information Office at 1221 Elmwood Park Boulevard, Suite 1002, Jefferson, LA 70123. Phone: (504) 736-6410
For those who qualify, there is also a $255 lump-sum Social Security death benefit payment. Your funeral director will assist you in claiming this.
We hope this short guide has answered some of your questions about saving on funeral costs and will help you arrange a simple cremation at an affordable price. If you have any further questions about arranging a cremation in Metairie please call your DFS Memorials provider on (504) 215-8264.
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.
