Why does Cremation Cost more for an Overweight or Obese person?
With the rising obesity rate in the United States, even dying is becoming more expensive if you are ‘oversized.’ Cremation is now the preferred funeral disposition choice for over 61% of Americans, and that figure continues to rise.
But what does this mean if you happen to be ‘larger than average’ and you want to arrange that simple, low-cost cremation?
Well, it will probably mean that it will cost you more. A supersize cremation will generally cost between $100 and $500 more than a standard cremation.
Why is this?
The extra costs can be incurred for extra transportation, a supersized cremation container, or the additional energy consumption required for the cremation process.
Cremating an obese body will involve additional costs due to the specialized equipment, resources, and adjustments required to accommodate the size and weight of the body.
Here are some potential additional costs that may arise for a bariatric cremation service:
1. Cremation Equipment: Funeral homes or crematoriums may need to invest in specialized cremation equipment designed to handle larger bodies. This equipment may have a higher cost compared to standard cremation equipment due to its larger size and increased weight capacity.
2. Cremation Container: A larger and more robust cremation container, such as a reinforced casket or an alternative container, may be necessary to safely contain the body during the cremation process. The cost of a larger container may be higher than that of a standard-sized container.
3. Facility Fees: Some funeral homes or crematoriums may charge additional facility fees for the use of specialized equipment and resources to accommodate the cremation of an obese body. These fees may cover the extra time, effort, and resources required to ensure a proper cremation.
4. Operator Training: Specialized training for crematorium operators to handle the cremation of obese bodies may involve additional costs. This training ensures that operators are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to handle larger bodies safely and efficiently.
5. Handling and Transport: The handling and transport of an obese body may require additional resources, such as extra personnel or specialized equipment, which could lead to increased costs.
To find affordable cremation services near you, check out DFS Memorials’ nationwide network of low-cost cremation providers. Use our Local Providers Search to find a location near you.
As the cremation rate in the U.S. continues to grow, along with the obesity rate, which was 41.9% of adults in 2023, more funeral homes are adding cremation machinery, with some having the foresight to add larger retorts to handle bigger bodies.
As more crematories can cater to bariatric cremation needs, this may mean that additional costs can be reduced.
Sara Marsden-Ille is the co-founder and editor of DFS Memorials as well as US Funerals Online. She has been writing about funeral planning, consumer rights, and cremation costs since 2003, when US Funerals Online launched — one of the first independent funeral consumer resources in the United States. Sara is responsible for editorial standards across the DFS Memorials network and helps to host the Cremation Nation podcast.
