Today’s families are seeking more affordable funeral alternatives. Not many families can afford or want to spend over $10,000 on a funeral service, and cremation offers a much less expensive alternative.
In fact, you can now arrange a simple, affordable cremation in The Bronx for just $595 (+ crematory fee). Call (718) 285-6565
How funeral care is changing and the economic reasons for choosing cremation
Deciding whether to bury or cremate is a personal choice. For some families, the decision is dictated by their budget for a funeral, and a cremation service will cost less than a traditional burial funeral.
On average, a cremation service will save you at least 40% on the cost of a burial. Sometimes, you can save as much as 60%.
More families are choosing cremation because it offers greater flexibility. The funeral service does not have to go ahead immediately. Instead, a cremation can be performed, the immediate disposition of the body dealt with, and then a service held at a later date convenient to the family.
The economy has definitely impacted how we are changing our approach to death care today. Many families simply cannot, or do not, want to spend unnecessarily on funeral costs. A cremation provides a simple, efficient, and economical means to conduct a disposition.
How much does a funeral cost in the Bronx?
This is not a simple question to answer, as funeral costs can vary significantly depending on the type of services and products selected and the funeral services provider used. The average cost of a funeral in the Bronx is $6,841.
How much does a cremation cost in the Bronx?
Firstly, a cremation WILL save you on funeral costs. There is no requirement for a casket, cemetery plot, or burial vault, which alone saves thousands of dollars. Generally, embalming is not required when a cremation is performed, so all in all, you can save on many funeral expenses. A cremation will cost at least half, if not less, than the full cost of a burial funeral.
It is important to state that cremation prices in the Bronx DO vary quite considerably between funeral homes and depending on what type of cremation service you opt for. Not all funeral homes have their own crematory but will use the services of a local crematory.
The average cost of a cremation memorial is $3,915*. However, much lower-priced cremation services are available in the Bronx.
How much is a direct cremation in the Bronx, NY?
A basic cremation can be conducted in the Bronx for as little as $595. This is what is known as a “direct cremation” and is your most affordable cremation service in the Bronx.
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.
The crematory fee is a third-party cost, as funeral homes in New York are not allowed to own a crematory. The crematory fee is $140, and the NYC cremation permit is $40.00.
Call DFS Memorials now at (718) 285-6565 to arrange a low-cost cremation for $595
What type of cremation services are available?
You can select from a range of cremation services and 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, a cremation followed by a memorial service, or just a viewing followed by a cremation. Cremation offers versatility in what options you have and when and where any services can be held.
How to compare cremation costs in the Bronx, NY
As mentioned, the cost of a cremation can vary enormously – for the exact same service – but from different cremation service providers. Ensure that you compare like-for-like services. Some cremation service providers include crematory fees and cremation container costs in a direct cremation package; others do not always include these fees.
Death certificate fees and cremation permits are often additional ‘cash advance’ items. As stated above, direct cremation is the most affordable cremation service in the Bronx.
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 receive. 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.
Understanding the legal requirements for cremation in the Bronx
There are laws in place regarding the cremation of human remains. A cremation cannot be performed until the medical examiner’s office issues a cremation permit.
The legal next of kin must sign a Cremation Authorization Form. There is a mandatory wait period of 24 hours after death in New York before the cremation can proceed.
It is not necessary to embalm a body for cremation, and refrigerated storage preserves the body until the cremation is performed. The funeral home will generally store the body for up to five days at no extra charge. If the cremation does not go ahead within five days, an additional fee for storage may be incurred.
What can we do with the cremated remains?
Cremation offers some greater flexibility in what you can do with the cremated remains once you have them returned. You can, of course, inter them in a grave plot or niche. However, you can choose to store them in an urn at home or scatter the cremated remains. There are also options, such as having cremation artifacts made.
Preplanning an affordable cremation service in the Bronx
If you wish to preplan a simple cremation, you can lock in a low-cost cremation price. This may depend upon your age when setting up a prepaid cremation plan. A cremation plan can be set up using an insurance policy where the funds are put into a trust. You can also opt to preplan your affordable cremation service in the Bronx 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.
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.
The support for indigent burials differs so much by state and county. Some counties do offer some financial assistance to low-income families, whereas in other counties, only county indigent dispositions are conducted. You should contact the Bronx County Social Services Department to find out what may be available.
The deceased is at the Medical Examiner’s Office. What do I do?
Suppose the deceased was the victim of a crime, or there were unusual circumstances surrounding the death. In that case, the deceased’s body may be taken into the care of the coroner for an examination to determine the cause of death. You will need to employ the services of a funeral director as soon as possible to coordinate the release of your loved one from the ME’s office.
A deceased person can only be released into the care of a licensed funeral director. Many funeral homes are familiar with the process of liaising with the ME to have the body released as quickly as possible.
You may also find that a simple, direct cremation can be arranged at a very low cost when the deceased is in the Coroner’s morgue. All the paperwork can be expedited quickly, and the process of transferring the deceased to the funeral facility is simplified.
Address of county coroner’s office: Bronx County Medical Examiner & Coroner 1600 Pelham Street Elmont NY 11003
We hope this guide has helped answer some of your immediate questions and provided some help in understanding how you can arrange an affordable funeral or cremation service in the Bronx, NY. If you need to research more information on funeral planning, please visit the Funeral Resource section on US Funerals Online.
*Funeral prices obtained from online funeral price comparison Survey 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.
