The cremation trend is revolutionizing the death care industry in the U.S., and Alabama is no exception. Although still a somewhat ‘traditional’ state, the cremation rate around Mobile Bay is increasing exponentially.
The cost of cremation is probably the single most significant factor motivating families to choose it. The flexibility offered by cremation also appeals to families who wish to conduct a simple cremation service in Mobile and Baldwin Counties and hold their own personalized memorial.
Arrange a direct cremation in Mobile, AL for $1,895 – Call us now at (251) 206-5572.
Why choose cremation over burial?
Deciding whether to bury or cremate is a personal choice. For some families, the decision is dictated by their funeral budget. A cremation service will cost much less than a traditional burial funeral.
On average, a cremation service will cost at least a third, if not half, the cost of a burial. 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 at a later date convenient to the family.
With more transplants living in the Mobile Bay area, cremation offers a simple solution to death care and is much less expensive than shipping human remains back to a home state. Cremation just provides an alternative method of final disposition. Cremated remains can still be interred in a cemetery, but generally at a lower cost than a body burial. Cremation is a very final disposition of the body, so it is very important to ensure that you are very sure about the decision to cremate.
How much does a simple cremation service cost in Mobile, AL?
Firstly, it is important to state that cremation prices in Mobile DO vary quite considerably between funeral homes. Not all funeral homes have their own crematory but will use the services of a local crematory.
A simple cremation in Mobile County can cost between $1,895 and $4,000 for the same service.
A basic cremation service can be conducted in Mobile for $1,895 complete*. This is what is known as a “direct cremation.” No services are performed; the deceased is collected, transported to the funeral facility, prepared for cremation, and the cremation is conducted. The cremated remains are returned to the family in a temporary plastic urn.
Call DFS Memorials Mobile now at (251) 206-5572
The family can arrange a brief final goodbye viewing at the funeral home if desired. The DFS Memorials of Mobile cremation services provider offers this for an incremental fee of just $200.
*death certificates not included in basic direct cremation package
What type of cremation services are available in Mobile, AL?
Many funeral homes now offer a sample of cremation packages. The cheapest type of cremation package is a basic cremation without any additional services. You can also have a full-service funeral followed by the cremation or a cremation followed by a memorial service.
The change in the funeral industry in Alabama today is the move towards ‘personalization’ and making a funeral service that fits the needs of the family, whatever they are. If you have any special requirements, these will always be met if possible, and feel free to call us at (251) 206-5572 to discuss your cremation requirements. If required, the family can view the start of the cremation process (as required by some faiths).
A full-service funeral followed by a cremation package can be arranged for $4,295.
A cremation memorial service package can be arranged for $2,295.
How do I know that the cremated remains I get back are my loved ones remains?
This is probably the most common cremation question we are asked. Strict laws govern the cremation of human remains, and identity checks must 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.
If you have concerns about the continuity of care offered throughout the cremation process, you may wish to choose a funeral home with its own crematory so your loved one’s remains never leave their care!
Understand the legal requirements for cremation in Mobile and Baldwin Counties.
As mentioned above, there are laws regarding the cremation of human remains. A cremation cannot be performed until the medical examiner’s office issues a permit. The legal next of kin must sign a Cremation Authorization Form, and a mandatory legal waiting period in Alabama is 24 hours before a cremation can go ahead.
It is unnecessary to embalm a body for cremation, and refrigerated storage preserves the body until it is performed. The funeral home will generally store the body for up to 5 days at no extra charge. If the cremation does not go ahead within 5 days, an additional fee for storage may be incurred.
Preplanning an affordable cremation service in Mobile County, AL
If you wish to preplan a simple cremation, you can lock in a low-cost cremation price of $1895. This may depend upon your age when setting up a prepaid cremation plan. A cremation plan can be set up using an insurance policy, or the funds can be 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.
Veteran Funerals in Mobile, AL
Certain discounts and benefits are available to Veterans. A Veteran is entitled to a free cemetery plot, grave marker, and US Flag. Our DFS Memorials provider offers a $200 discount on a funeral package and a $100 discount on a cremation service in Mobile. There are also sometimes reductions in the cost of a death certificate for a Veteran.
Overweight body cremation in Mobile, AL
A standard cremation at the inclusive cost of $1,895 is for a person who weighs up to 300 pounds. Over this weight, there is an additional charge as additional work is required to prepare the body, reinforce the cremation container, and use extra gas. The additional amount will depend upon the weight of the deceased. The crematory at Mobile can cremate a body of up to 800 pounds.
No life insurance – financial assistance with cremation costs in Mobile, AL
Unfortunately, more people are passing without leaving the means to pay for their funerals. If you are faced with this situation, you need to explore what help may be available to you. Social Security pays out a $255 lump sum death benefit (if you qualify), and your funeral director can assist you with this.
The support for indigent burials differs greatly by state and county. You should contact the Mobile County or Baldwin County Human Services Departments to find out what may be available.
DFS Memorials offers low-cost cremation services to residents of Bay Minette, Chickasaw, Daphne, Fairhope, Foley, Gulf Shores, Jackson, Prichard, Saraland, Satsuma, Spanish Fort, Theodore, and Tillman’s Corner.
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.
