Our attitudes to death and funerals are changing, and many families are finding that cremation offers a more simple and more affordable option.   More families are deciding they just want a “no fuss” option, one that can be delivered at a low cost, such as a simple cremation in Manhattan.

A direct cremation package can help you arrange a low-cost funeral.  Direct cremation takes care of the immediate disposition of the deceased, and once the cremated remains are available, a memorial or ash-scattering service can be conducted.

When you can take care of everything for under $750 and are dealing with a family-owned funeral business, why should you pay more than this?

What is included in the $495 direct cremation package?

Our simple cremation service includes the following:

• Collection of the deceased from the place of death
• Transfer to the funeral facility*
• Shelter of the deceased
• Securing the necessary authorizations – Filing of the death certificate and cremation permit
• Basic local transportation to the crematory
• A cardboard cremation container for the cremation process
• Return of the cremated remains in a temporary cremation urn

 Are there any extra costs for a simple cremation in Manhattan?

The additional fees are third-party fees.  This is the crematory fee which is $140.00, and the NY permit fee which is $40.00, plus 1 death certificate and a processing fee. The total full price (including third-party charges) is $690.

Death certificate fees in New York are $15 for the 1^st certificate and $10 for each additional copy at present.

For shipping the ashes within any of the 5 Boroughs, the fee is $40.00, and to ship outside of the boroughs, the fee is $75.00

Can we still have a funeral service if we arrange a direct cremation?

Yes, of course.  You can arrange a memorial service once you have the cremated remains returned.  A memorial service is a type of funeral service where the deceased’s body is not present.

You can hold a memorial service with or without the cremation urn present.  A memorial funeral service can also take the shape of an ash scattering ceremony or a candlelit vigil or tribute.

We have some useful resources to help you plan and make your own memorial tributes in our Memorialization section.

Comparing cremation costs in Manhattan, NY

As cremation is becoming a popular choice for residents of Manhattan, there are several cremation service providers serving New York City.  The cost of a cremation can vary significantly for the exact same service, so it is wise to ensure you do compare cremation prices between a few providers to ensure you are benefitting from a value-for-money cremation service package.

The average cost of a cremation memorial service in Manhattan is $3,915*, and the average cost of a direct cremation is $1,969*.  It is important to check that when you are pricing a direct cremation, you take into account the full costs, as most funeral service providers advertise a price that does NOT include third-party costs, such as the crematory fee.

A cremation significantly reduces funeral costs.  The average cost of a funeral in Manhattan is $6,841*, and this does NOT include any cemetery fees. 

How can you save money when arranging a simple cremation service in Manhattan?

A direct cremation is the most economical means of disposition there is.  In Manhattan, a direct cremation can be conducted for $495 (Professional Service Charge – Third-Party County fees and crematory fee are additional). This makes direct cremation a very affordable funeral option.

If you need to keep funeral costs down, then a simple cremation arranged through a cremation provider is your lowest-cost cremation option in Manhattan, NY.  You can then arrange your own memorial services once you have the cremated remains returned.  This significantly cuts down on funeral expenses.

What do I need to know about arranging a cremation?  What are the legal requirements?

A Cremation Authorization Form must be signed by the legal next of kin for a cremation to proceed.  If there are multiple siblings, all must sign and agree for a cremation to be carried out.  There is a 24-hour mandatory wait period after death before the cremation can go ahead.

What help is there with cremation costs?

If qualifying for Social Security, you may be entitled to the lump-sum death benefit payment of $255.  The funeral director will generally assist you with submitting the claim to Social Security.  Of course, many people use life insurance policies to offset funeral costs, but with a direct cremation, the funeral provider will require payment upfront.

There is very limited public assistance support for funeral costs, and this can vary by county.   Check out New York County Assistance Programs.

US Department Of Health And Human Services Manhattan District Offices  Phone: (800) 772-1213

How do I obtain a copy of a death certificate?

You can obtain copies of a death certificate from the Vital Records office at:
New York County Clerk
60 Centre Street
New York, NY 10007-1402
(212) 374-8361

What happens if the deceased is taken to the Coroner’s Office?

Suppose there were circumstances surrounding the death that led to the deceased being taken to the County Coroner’s office. In that case, you will need to employ the services of a funeral director as soon as possible to liaise with the Coroner to have the body released into their care.  Only a licensed funeral director can collect a body from the Coroner’s morgue.

As funeral directors are familiar with the process, and the body is released with a death certificate & cremation permit, it is generally easy to maintain a low cost to offer a direct cremation service for an individual that has been in the care of the Medical Examiner.  You can find the NYC County Coroner’s office details on this link.

Please contact your local DFS Memorials cremation services provider at (212) 381-6243 with any further questions you have or to make immediate arrangements for a low-cost cremation service.

*Cost data obtained from funeral price comparison website 2023