The cremation trend is changing the way we think about arranging a funeral. Although the cremation rate in Tennessee has typically been below the national rate, the demand for low-cost funeral alternatives is changing the way many families today approach death care. You can arrange an affordable cremation for as little as $795 in Chattanooga.
How funeral care is changing and why families are choosing cremation
Deciding whether to bury or cremate is very much a personal choice. For some families, the decision is dictated by the funeral budget. A cremation service will cost much less than a traditional burial funeral.
On average, a cremation service is going to save you at least 40% on the cost of a burial; sometimes, you can save as much as 60% on the cost of a burial service. More families are choosing cremation as it offers greater flexibility.
The funeral service does not have to go ahead immediately. Instead, a cremation can be performed, and 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 of disposing of a body.
So, how much does a cremation cost in Chattanooga?
Firstly, it is important to state that cremation prices in Chattanooga DO vary quite considerably between funeral homes and depend on what type of cremation service you opt for. Not all funeral homes have their own crematory; they use a local crematory instead.
The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) quotes an average cremation cost of $3,200; however, it is possible to find cremation services in Chattanooga for much lower prices.
An affordable basic cremation can be conducted in Chattanooga for as little as $795 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 cremated.
The cremated remains are returned to the family in a temporary plastic urn. If desired, the family can arrange a brief final goodbye viewing at the funeral home.
Call DFS Memorials now at (423) 207-8564 to arrange a low-cost cremation for $795
How much does a burial funeral service cost in Chattanooga?
Again, the cost of a burial service can vary depending on the type of services you require and the cost of funeral merchandise, such as the casket and burial vault. Cemetery costs vary, and the overhead charged by a funeral home differs.
The National Funeral Directors Association reports that the average funeral costs just under $8,000, but this does not include any cemetery fees.
A traditional funeral can be arranged for $3,995, including a casket, but not including the cemetery costs.
What types of cremation services are available in Chattanooga?
You can select from a range of cremation services and packages. These will start with a basic cremation without any additional services, the most affordable cremation package you will find in Chattanooga.
You can have a full-service funeral followed by cremation, cremation followed by a memorial service, or just a viewing followed by cremation. The change in the funeral industry today is the move towards ‘personalization’ and making a funeral service that fits the needs of the family, whatever they are.
Comparing cremation costs in Chattanooga, TN
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 their direct cremation packages; others do not.
Death certificate fees and cremation permits are often additional ‘cash advance’ items.
How do I know that the cremated remains I get back are my loved one’s remains?
This is probably the most common cremation question we are asked. Strict laws govern the cremation of human remains, and identity checks have to be made along the way.
The cremation retort must be completely cleaned after each cremation, and only one cremation 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 Chattanooga
As mentioned above, there are laws in place regarding the cremation of human remains. A cremation cannot be performed until a cremation permit is issued by the medical examiner’s office. The legal next of kin must sign a Cremation Authorization Form. It is not necessary to embalm a body for cremation, and refrigerated storage is used to preserve the body until the cremation is performed.
The funeral home will generally store the body for up to 5 days in refrigerated storage at no extra charge. If the cremation is not carried out within 5 days, an additional storage fee may be incurred.
What can I 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 for cremation artifacts made from cremated remains, such as cremation diamonds, glass jewelry, bird baths, and paintings.
Preplanning an affordable cremation service in Chattanooga
If you wish to preplan a simple cremation, you can lock in a low-cost cremation price. This may depend on your age when you set up a prepaid cremation plan. A cremation plan can be set up through an insurance policy that places funds 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 paperwork or making difficult decisions. The money to pay for the cremation can be put aside in a POD (Payable on Death) account, which your beneficiary can withdraw upon your death 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. Arranging a simple cremation at an affordable cost will help you save on funeral costs in Chattanooga.
Support for indigent burials varies widely by state and county. To find out what may be available, you should contact the Hamilton County Human Services Department.
*Death certificates are not included in a basic direct cremation package
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.
