If you are concerned about the cost of a funeral and are looking for a more affordable funeral alternative, you may wish to consider cremation services in Charlotte.
This article aims to answer some of the questions you may have about cremation services in Charlotte and how you can save money by arranging a direct cremation for a fraction of the cost of a traditional funeral service.
Cremation has now overtaken burial as the preferred disposition choice for Americans. Although the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) cites several reasons for this shift, the primary reason is cost. Cremation costs at least 40% less than a traditional burial funeral.
How much does a cremation service cost in Charlotte?
The cost of a cremation can vary significantly in Charlotte. This can depend on which funeral home or cremation service provider you select to provide your cremation services and what kind of cremation services you opt for. The average cost of a cremation is around $3,200, which makes cremation a less costly option than a traditional burial.
It is possible to arrange a cremation in Charlotte for $995. This is known as a direct cremation and is the cheapest way to conduct a cremation service.
Call us now at (704) 233-7037 for immediate assistance or with any questions.
What kind of cremation service packages are available in Charlotte?
Most cremation service providers in Charlotte offer a range of cremation packages. These will range from a full-service cremation to a basic direct cremation. All funeral homes will have a General Price List (GPL), which must list all their service charges, although some funeral homes will also offer packaged services.
It is recommended that you carefully check exactly what is offered in a packaged cremation service in Charlotte and how this compares to purchasing the cremation services required from the GPL.
A full-service cremation is generally similar to a traditional funeral; only the deceased is cremated after the service rather than transferred to the cemetery for burial. This is a more expensive cremation option, as a casket may still be required for the ceremony (although some funeral service providers offer rental caskets).
A cremation memorial is where the cremation is carried out, and a memorial service is held afterward with or without the cremated remains present. It can be an ash-scattering service, a life celebration event, or a memorial tribute.
It does not have to be at a funeral home or chapel; it can be organized and led by the family. This means you can save on the cost of the funeral service and make it a very personal affair. Visit our section on Memorialization to learn more about creating your own memorial tributes.
What is a direct cremation?
Direct cremation is the least expensive cremation option and the most basic service option. It is sometimes referred to as a ‘simple cremation.’ The deceased is cremated without any services or ceremony, and the cremated remains are returned to the family in a temporary urn. A ceramic, wood, or steel urn can be selected for an additional cost.
Do I need a casket for a cremation service in Charlotte?
No, a casket is not required by law for cremation. All that is required is a cremation container, usually a reinforced cardboard container. If you wish to hold a viewing or ceremony before the cremation, you can use a rental casket or some funeral homes that offer “slumber beds.” This is where the deceased is laid in repose on a bed in a viewing room.
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 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) and then ground into the fine ‘dust’ returned as cremation ashes.
Not all funeral homes have their own crematory and sub their cremations to a local crematory. 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!
What if I am unsure about cremation or the family cannot agree?
Cremation is such a final disposition, and 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. The legal next of kin must sign a Cremation Authorization Form, and in the case of children, many funeral directors will prefer to have all children sign.
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 keep the ashes at home. Keepsake urns even enable you to disperse the ashes between several family members or choose to scatter some and retain a ‘keepsake’ memorial.
Ash scattering is also more common these days, and many options exist for creating a befitting ash scattering ceremony.
Is it possible to preplan a low-cost cremation?
Yes. You can preplan a simple direct cremation service. This is generally funded through an insurance product covering this cost when needed. All monies are secured in a trust fund. Call your local provider now at (704) 233-7037 to discuss pre-planning a direct cremation service in Charlotte.
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. A mandatory 24-hour wait period in North Carolina must occur after death before the cremation can proceed.
What do I do if I cannot even afford a cremation?
There is very little ‘free’ money to help families with funeral costs. Some counties do offer some financial assistance to those families that qualify. In some counties, this can amount to up to $1,500. You need to contact Mecklenburg County Human Services or whichever county you are in to learn more.
The deceased had no life insurance – is there any help with cremation costs?
It is sadly a reality that more folks are passing without leaving the means to pay for their funeral. 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.
What is the service area around Charlotte?
The $1,895 direct cremation package is available throughout Greater Charlotte and surrounding counties, but an additional mileage fee may apply to more outlying areas.
If you have further questions about cremation, please call us at (704) 233-7037.
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.
