Funerals need not be as expensive as many of us have been led to believe. The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) surveyed the average cost of a cremation funeral at $7,484, without any cemetery fees included.
For many families today, spending nearly $7,500 on funeral expenses is not always affordable. Therefore, if you need to arrange a more affordable cremation service in Joliet, this guide should help you understand how to save on your funeral expenses.
How much should you expect to pay for a cremation funeral service in Joliet?
$1,295 Direct Cremation Package – including Cherry Wood Urn & 2 death certificates.
Call (815) 216-4601 to make arrangements.
Funeral prices can vary quite significantly. It will depend upon the type of funeral service you select and the funeral service provider chosen. If you do research with local funeral homes, you will discover that the price for a funeral package will vary from different providers, even for the exact same services! Although the NFDA can quote the average cost of a cremation funeral at $7,484, it is possible to arrange a funeral for considerably less than this.
How much does a basic cremation cost in Joliet?
The average direct cremation service price in Joliet is $1,996*, but DFS Memorials offers a direct cremation package price of $1,295.
How do I select a funeral services provider?
If you have no prior experience with a funeral services provider, this can seem overwhelming. Consult with friends and associates and seek recommendations. If you are using the Internet to research funeral services and prices in Joliet, check the ownership of who you are dealing with.
Some funeral companies have set up online budget cremation businesses, and some corporate groups also trade as low-cost cremation companies. If you are in doubt, ask if they are independently owned. DFS Memorials only works with reputable, licensed, and independently owned funeral homes.
How can I save money when arranging a funeral or cremation?
These days, many of us are concerned about having the necessary funds to conduct funeral services for a loved one if no provision has been made. Let’s face it…not many folks can produce thousands of dollars at the drop of a hat! There are ways that you can ensure you keep your funeral expenses to a minimum.
Generally, a cremation will work out less expensive than a burial, namely as no immediate cemetery fees are required for a cremation. However, a dignified burial can be achieved at a very affordable cost.
Opting for cremation means no need for a casket, burial vault, or cemetery plot. Eliminating these costs alone can save you several thousand dollars.
Comparing cremation prices in Joliet
Cremation prices vary between cremation service providers, so comparing costs from at least a few funeral homes is important. Ensure that you are comparing like-for-like in terms of the offered service package. Some cremation providers may package together different services.
All funeral homes must provide you with a copy of their general price list (GPL) upon request to disclose their complete pricing structure.
What is ‘direct cremation’?
A direct cremation is where the deceased is cremated, but no services or ceremony is held. The funeral director offers minimal services to collect the deceased, prepare the body for cremation, and process all the required paperwork.
The deceased is cremated in a simple cremation container, and the remains are made available for the family to collect or have delivered to them. No funeral home visit is required for a direct cremation service. The funeral director will often visit you at home to sign the paperwork and consult with you about arrangements.
Direct cremation is becoming very popular as a way in which the funeral home can assist in the immediate disposition of the deceased for an affordable fee. Still, it leaves the family with the opportunity to conduct their own memorial ceremony once they have the cremated remains back.
How do I know I am getting the remains of my loved one back?
This is a question that concerns some families considering cremation. You should be assured to know that strict legislation governs the cremation of human remains. Only one body can be cremated at a time, and ID checks are in place through every step of the process. It can help to visit a crematory to put your mind at rest. Most reputable crematories are happy to arrange for you to view their facilities and explain their processes.
What can I do with the cremated remains?
You can inter cremated remains into a grave plot or niche at a cemetery, keep a cremation urn at home, or scatter the remains in a place of your choosing. Today, there are many options for how we can memorialize a lost loved one, and there is now a range of cremation artifacts that can be created to help us immortalize the memory of a loved one, from bird baths made with concrete infused with cremation ashes to memorial diamonds!
Other folks choose to scatter ashes in a memorable place for a loved one’s last resting place. Read this section on Ash Scattering for more ideas.
Only a licensed funeral director can collect a body from the Medical Examiner or Coroner’s Office.
If the deceased is at the Medical Examiner’s office, you must appoint a funeral director to arrange the body’s release into their care. Only a licensed funeral director can collect a body from the county morgue.
What if the deceased had no life insurance?
Often, family members are passing, and we find out that they had no life insurance or funeral plan. This can mean surviving families are burdened with a funeral bill that they cannot afford to pay. There is very little financial support to assist families in this situation, varying significantly by state and county. We suggest you contact the Will County Assistance Program at (815) 774-7489.
There is also a $255 lump-sum Social Security death benefit payment for those who qualify. Your funeral director will assist you in claiming this.
We hope this short guide has answered some of your questions about saving on funeral costs and will help you arrange a simple cremation at an affordable price. If you have any further questions about arranging a cremation in Joliet, please call your DFS Memorials provider at (815) 216-4601.
* Funeral prices obtained from Parting website 2024
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.
