The shift to cremation is sweeping across the nation as families demand more affordable death care alternatives. Cremation is now fast becoming a disposition choice for many families in Cape Coral, Florida.
For those families who do not want to overspend on a funeral or do not have the funds for a costly funeral, cremation is a low-cost alternative.
What is the average cost of a funeral in Cape Coral?
These days we are discerning consumers, very mindful of costs, and people now feel the same way about purchasing funeral services. Why should we not ask how much it costs? The average cost of a traditional funeral is $7,848. (NFDA)
So, how do cremation costs compare in Cape Coral?
Cremation offers a cheaper and more flexible alternative to a traditional burial and can 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 Cape Coral is $3,200.
Direct cremation services in Cape Coral, FL
Direct cremation is the industry term for a ‘simple cremation’. The funeral home provides only the cremation service. The funeral home provides no ceremony or funeral services. The deceased is collected and cremated, and the remains are 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. It 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 Cape Coral for $1,095, although the average price for a direct cremation is $1,561. To help families arrange affordable cremation services, we have selected only cremation service providers who can offer a basic cremation package for just $1,095.
Direct cremation means a family can manage to conduct dignified funeral services for as little as $1,095
Call now on (239) 244-2418 now to arrange a low-cost cremation
Are there any additional fees to the $1,095 cremation package?
For a cremation to be conducted, the county must issue a ‘disposition permit.’ At present, there is no charge for this. Death certificates are an additional cost, as these are issued by the county and are a third-party expense.
Death certificates cost $5 for the first certificate and $4 for each additional copy issued. Possible additional charges can be incurred if the deceased had a pacemaker that must be removed before cremation. Or if the deceased weighs over 250 pounds.
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’ that is returned as cremation ashes.
What if I am unsure about cremation or the family cannot agree?
Cremation is such a final disposition. You do need to ensure that you are completely sure that this IS the ‘right’ disposition choice for you. Certain laws are in place to ensure 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 read more about cremation regulations, authorization, and other legal considerations about arranging a cremation in this article about Cremation Laws and How They Affect Arranging a Cremation.
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?
The options of what you can do with the cremated remains of your loved one are one of the reasons cremation is becoming more popular.
You can, of course, choose to inter the remains in a cemetery plot. You can inter the remains in a niche or columbarium, or you can keep the ashes at home. Keepsake urns 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 how you can create a befitting ash scattering ceremony.
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. In Florida, there is a mandatory 24-hour wait period after death before a cremation can be conducted.
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 is constantly changing due to budget constraints and varies by county. Some counties do have a provision to assist needy or low-income families.
Contact Lee County DFCS to find out what may be available to you locally: 2440 Thompson St, Fort Myers, FL 33901. Phone: 239-533-7930
There is also a $255 lump sum social security death benefit payment if the deceased qualifies, and your funeral director can help you claim this. So, you may find that a low-cost cremation with DFS Memorials is a dignified disposition alternative if your family is struggling financially.
If you have further questions about cremation, feel free to call us at (239) 244-2418, and we will be happy to try and help you.
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.
