Death can be an expensive business! According to the National Funeral Directors Association’s figures, the average funeral costs around $9,000, not including cemetery fees. On the other hand, you can find a low-cost cremation in Jackson for just $1,195.
Apart from the fact that 76% of American families are struggling paycheck to paycheck these days [CNN Money Report], many also find that little finances they had in reserve can be depleted in end-of-life care for a loved one! Families do not have thousands of dollars to spend on a funeral today.
This all means our funeral purchasing habits ARE changing. We are demanding more affordable funeral alternatives. Mississippi has long been steeped in tradition and still has one of the lowest cremation rates in the nation. However, this IS changing.
Cremation vs. burial in Jackson, MS
The shift towards cremation instead of traditional burial has started in Mississippi. Many folks talk about the cremation trend being led by cultural changes—environmental concerns, declining religiosity, and a more migrant population—but it is also driven largely by cost and flexibility.
How can I save money by arranging a cremation in Jackson?
A traditional funeral in Jackson will probably cost upwards of $8,000, including cemetery fees. Depending on the type of cremation service, a cremation service can cost between $1,195 and $4,500.
So, opting for a cremation will likely save you between $7,000 and $3,500 for a traditional burial in Jackson. The costs for the cemetery plot and burial vault are eliminated, as are those for a casket and embalming.
Arranging a low-cost cremation or a direct cremation in Jackson
If funeral costs are a worry to you and you are simply looking for the least expensive funeral option available to you – then a direct cremation would be your best option. This is the most minimal cremation service offered and involves no ceremony or ancillary services being conducted by the funeral home.
The deceased is collected and prepared for cremation using a basic cremation container. The cremated remains are returned to the family in a temporary cremation urn. The funeral director will complete all the necessary documentation and process the cremation.
Direct cremation is a very affordable funeral alternative. It can be conducted in Jackson and all of South Mississippi for $1,195.
Direct cremation and conducting your own memorial service
Some families choose to have the disposition taken care of by a direct cremation and then conduct their own memorial service once they have the cremated remains. I am observing even church ministers and pastors supporting families by conducting memorial services once the cremation disposition is performed.
Families can take control of the death care ritual by arranging their own memorial tribute service at a time and location of their choice. Cremation also offers greater flexibility because there is no rush to hold a service immediately, and more creative options are possible for a cremation memorial.
How do I find an affordable funeral provider in Jackson, MS?
Good question! Finding affordable funeral prices can seem overwhelming when checking out the list of funeral homes in Jackson. This is where DFS Memorials can help.
We have done this work to save you the task. We have checked around funeral homes and selected local, licensed funeral homes offering a low-cost cremation or affordable funeral package in Jackson.
What if I cannot afford a funeral? What help is there with funeral costs in Jackson?
Sadly, we are asked this question all too often at DFS Memorials. Limited financial assistance is available. All states are responsible for attending indigent funerals—that is, for those individuals who become Mississippi State’s responsibility.
To find out what local-level public aid is available for low-income or no-income families, contact your local county Social Services or Human Services Department. For those who do qualify, there is the Social Security $255 death benefit. Also, some groups, such as unions, charities, and church groups, may assist families in need with fund-raising to cover funeral costs.
DFS Memorials Jackson serves Hinds, Madison, and Rankin counties, as well as the Belhaven Heights Historic District, Downtown, Farish Street, Fondren District, Mid North District, Poindexter Park Historic District, Smith Park Architectural District, Spengler’s Corner Historic District, and West Capitol Street Historic District.
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.
