If the high cost of a funeral is a worry to your family, we hope to guide you on how to arrange the lowest-cost cremation service in St Louis.

The Internet provides a great tool to help you find out about funeral prices and cremation costs before contacting a funeral home or crematory in St Louis.  To help you understand more about funeral costs and what your options are, we have put together this guide.

It gives you an overview of what cremation costs are in St Louis and, more importantly, how to save money arranging a funeral or cremation.

How much does a funeral cost in St Louis?

This is the vital question that we all want to know…how much is it going to cost me?  Indeed we have all become such savvy shoppers today, with an expectation to compare prices and deals.  The funeral industry has resisted this, and there are still more funeral home websites that do NOT disclose funeral prices than there are those that do.

The average cost of a funeral is around $9,000 (according to the National Association of Funeral Directors 2022, and this does not include any cemetery costs.  So a traditional funeral is likely to cost you somewhere in the region of $8,000 to $12,000.  Today when 76% of families are living paycheck to paycheck (CNN Money report), it is hardly surprising that paying out this amount for a funeral can seem insurmountable.

Tip: If a funeral home does not openly disclose cremation prices on its website or over the phone, it should ring alarm bells that they are not likely to be offering services in the ‘affordable’ bracket!

So how can you save money by arranging a cremation?

You will save at least half the cost of a traditional funeral by arranging for a cremation service.  Why? Mainly because you eliminate some of the largest expenses related to a funeral service.  There is no need for a casket, burial vault, embalming, or cemetery plot.  This alone will save you thousands of dollars!

Another significant way that you can save money by arranging a cremation is that it removes the need to hold a service immediately.  A simple cremation can be conducted to deal with the disposition of the body, and the memorialization (the service/ceremony) part of the ritual can always be performed at a later date.

This removes the need to make instant decisions (which can sometimes prove costly) at the time of death and when you are feeling emotionally vulnerable.  Of course, you can also choose to hold your own memorial service, which can save you even more money on the overall funeral costs.

What is the average cost of a cremation in St Louis?

It is important to understand that cremation prices do differ considerably between different funeral homes in St. Louis.  The ‘average’ cost of cremation has to be put into the perspective on what kind of cremation services are being assessed.  The Cremation Association of North America [CANA] records that the cost is $2,250 for a cremation with a ceremony and a mid-range urn.    However, cheaper cremation options are available, as outlined below.

Call DFS Memorials now at (314) 200-2604 to arrange a direct cremation for just $1,095 in St Louis.

Choosing the best Cremation Package

A funeral home must have a general price list (GPL) outlining their service charges, but many funeral homes also offer cremation packages, where a price is offered for a complete cremation service.  In comparing costs and services between funeral homes, it is important to ensure you are comparing like-for-like services, especially when it is a quoted cremation package price.

Not all cremation providers quote a fully inclusive price when quoting a cremation package.  There are generally 3 main types of cremation options – a direct cremation (a basic minimal cremation), a cremation with a funeral service, or a cremation with a memorial service.  The difference is that with a direct cremation, there is NO service or ceremony conducted by the funeral provider, although you can conduct your own memorial services afterward.

A cremation with a funeral service is generally where the deceased is present, and the cremation is conducted after the service.  A cremation with a memorial service is where the cremation is conducted first, and a memorial service is held with the cremation urn present.

To learn more about cremation – service options, cremation arrangement laws, and what happens throughout the cremation process – read our Complete Guide to Cremation.

How to arrange a direct cremation in St Louis

Direct cremation is fast becoming the preferred and most affordable cremation option for families today.  It offers a dignified yet efficient and cheap way to conduct a disposition.

In the Greater St Louis area, you can arrange a direct cremation for $1,095, which can make handling funeral costs within the means of many families.

How do I choose a cremation provider in St Louis?

Choosing a cremation provider can depend upon what kind of cremation services you require.  If you are looking for a cremation with a ceremony or interment committal, then you will need a funeral home that offers the facilities for a ceremony, and that is in a good location for your family.

If you have decided upon a simple direct cremation at the most affordable price, then you may consider the services of a provider who specifically offers direct cremation at a low cost.  The locale of the funeral home is not as essential if no services are being held.  And many funeral homes have extended their service area for direct cremation services.

The DFS Memorials provider for St Louis is an established funeral home with facilities for ceremonies.  DFS Memorials offers families a low-cost alternative in St. Louis.

DFS Memorials ST LOUIS  (314) 200-2604  Call with any questions you may have

Lowest cost direct cremation $1,095 complete

How can I compare cremation providers in St Louis?

It is always wise to shop around and compare services and costs.  We do it in any other large purchase we make – so why not when purchasing end-of-life services?  You will no doubt be surprised by how much the cost of funeral services can vary between funeral homes in St Louis.

At DFS Memorials, we conducted research to find the best cremation prices in St Louis to save you the task of phoning around to compare prices.  This way, we can save you the hassle when you are emotionally fragile.

What if the deceased had no life insurance? Is there any help with cremation costs in St Louis?

An individual passing without any insurance, and family struggling to meet funeral costs, is becoming a more regular occurrence.  Public aid can be a little patchy depending on where you are, but you can consult your local county human services or social services to find out if there is any financial assistance near you.

The state will meet indigent burials for those that become the responsibility of the State, but there are generally eligibility requirements for any state funding for funeral expenses.

There is also the $255 Social Security lump-sum death benefit for those that qualify, and various union, faith, and charitable organizations may offer some support to families to assist with covering funeral costs.

Baue Funeral Homes and Crematory charge $2,795 for direct cremation.

DFS Memorials St. Louis serves families throughout the Greater St. Louis area, Alton, Belleville, De Soto, Eureka, Festus, Granite City, Pacific, Sullivan, Swansea, Warrenton, Washington, Wentzville and St. Charles, Franklin, Warren, Lincoln, Ralls, Audrain, Jefferson, and Washington Counties.