These days, more and more families are seeking out dignified yet lower-cost funeral alternatives. This has led to a huge shift towards cremation as a simple and cheaper disposition alternative.
You can arrange a simple cremation for just $1,395 in Harrisburg.
When the average funeral (according to the NFDA) costs $7,848 without any cemetery costs – it is easy to see why families make different choices!
Economic reasons for choosing cremation
Deciding whether to bury or cremate is very much a personal choice. For some families, the decision is dictated by their budget for a funeral. A cremation service will cost much less than a traditional burial funeral.
On average, a cremation service will save you at least 40% on the cost of a burial, and sometimes, you can save as much as 60% on the cost of a burial service. More families are leaning towards cremation as it does offer greater flexibility.
The funeral service does not have to go ahead immediately. A cremation can be performed, and then a service can be held later, convenient for the family.
The economy has significantly impacted how we manage death care today. Many families simply cannot, or do not, want to spend unnecessarily on funeral costs. A cremation provides a simple, efficient, and economical means to conduct a disposition.
What is the cost of a cremation in Harrisburg, PA?
A cremation service can range from a basic, simple cremation with no services (the least expensive option) to a full-service cremation with ceremonies. The price range for this is between $1,395 and $4,000, which is still a huge saving on a traditional funeral, even if you opt for traditional services with cremation.
Save on funeral costs.
This also eliminates the need for cemetery costs (which in themselves can amount to a few thousand dollars). Many families who opt for a simple cremation are even choosing to conduct their own memorial service or ash scattering ceremony – further saving on costs.
Call now at (717) 207-8252 to arrange a direct cremation in Harrisburg for just $1,395.
What type of cremation services are available?
You can select from a range of cremation services and packages. These will start with a direct cremation without additional services, which is the cheapest cremation package.
You can have a full-service funeral that is followed by the cremation, a cremation followed by a memorial service, or just a viewing followed by a cremation. The change in the funeral industry today is the move towards ‘personalization’ and making a funeral service that fits the family’s needs, whatever they are.
How do I know that the cremated remains I get back are my loved one’s remains?
This is probably the most common cremation question we are asked. Strict laws govern the cremation of human remains, and identity checks have to be made along the way. The cremation retort must be completely cleared following a cremation, and only one can be performed at a time. The remains are cleared into a machine that filters out any metal parts (tooth fillings, hip replacements, etc.) and then ground into the fine ‘dust’ that is returned as cremation ashes.
What can we do with the cremated remains?
Cremation offers some greater flexibility in what you can do with the cremated remains once you have them returned. You can, of course, inter them in a grave plot or niche.
However, you can store them in an urn at home or scatter the cremated remains.
There are also options, such as having cremation artifacts made from cremated remains, such as cremation diamonds, glass jewelry, birdbaths, and paintings.
Preplanning an affordable direct cremation service in Harrisburg
If you wish to preplan a simple cremation, you can lock in a low-cost cremation price in Harrisburg. This may depend upon your age when setting up a prepaid cremation plan.
A cremation plan can be set up using an insurance policy where the funds are put into a trust. You can also opt to preplan your cremation service without prepaying. This ensures that your surviving family can proceed with arrangements at the time of need without worrying about completing the paperwork or making difficult decisions.
The money to pay for the cremation can be put aside in a POD account (Payable on Death), which your beneficiary can draw out upon death immediately without probate.
The deceased had no life insurance – is there any help with cremation costs in Harrisburg?
Sadly, more folks are passing without leaving the means to pay for their funeral. If you are faced with this situation, you need to explore what help may be available. Social Security pays out a $255 lump sum death benefit (if you qualify), and your funeral director can assist you with this.
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.
