Affordable Cremation in Central Florida $795

Posted on November 28, 2023 by Cremation Advisor

Cremation is a popular choice in Central Florida. Florida has a retirement population, many of whom opt for cremation as an inexpensive and convenient means to make final arrangements.

The cost of cremation services can play a significant part in this decision, as a direct cremation can be arranged in central Florida for just $795 complete.

The cremated remains can be transported (if required) anywhere in the U.S. or overseas if there is a need to return remains to family outside of Florida.

The DFS Memorials provider for Orlando and Central Florida can be reached at (407) 710-8865.

If you have an immediate or imminent need for a low-cost direct cremation, then we can help you arrange everything for one low price of $1,095. Families’ attitudes to funerals are changing, and cremation offers families greater flexibility in arranging end-of-life services.

We understand that many families want a simple, “no fuss” option that can be delivered at a low cost.

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 $795 and are dealing with a local licensed direct disposal establishment, why should you pay more than this?

What is included in the Simple 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
Filing of the death certificate and cremation permit
The cremation process
Return of the cremated remains in a temporary cremation urn

*an additional mileage fee can apply if outside our basic service area

Are there any extra costs?

The additional fees are county fees, which are subject to change and payable to the county in order to facilitate the cremation proceeding. Death certificate fees in Florida are $10 per copy at present.

Also, if the deceased had a pacemaker that must be removed prior to the cremation, there would be a small additional charge. Likewise, if the deceased was overweight and an oversized cremation is needed, you may incur an additional charge.

To learn more about cremation, the process, service options, and legal requirements that govern a cremation disposition, visit our Complete Guide to Cremation.

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

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, candlelit vigil, or tribute. We have useful resources to help you plan and make your memorial tributes in our Memorialization section.

Our lowest-cost cremation is available throughout the Greater Orlando area and Flagler, Lake, Orange, Putnam, Seminole, and Volusia counties.

Can I preplan a cremation in Central Florida?

Yes, you can prearrange a cremation. Advance planning can help to ensure you get the most appropriate services provider for your needs and can save the surviving family the financial and emotional burden at the time of death.

There are various options open to you to plan ahead, so consult with your preferred services provider. A pre-arranged direct cremation plan can be preplanned at an affordable cost in Central Florida, ensuring your family does not have the burden of worrying about funeral costs.

What can we do with the cremated remains?

As I mentioned earlier, there is versatility in what you can do with cremated remains.

You can inter a cremation urn in a cemetery plot or niche, keep an urn at home, scatter the remains, or create a cremation artifact such as a cremation diamond, glass paperweight, bird bath, or memorial reef ball, to name but a few!

The deceased had no life insurance – is there any help with cremation costs?

Sadly, there is little financial aid that supports families struggling with funeral costs. Most counties have a budget for indigent funerals, but this is generally for those who truly are indigent.

Some counties do have limited funds to help low-income families with cremation costs, but this can vary county by county. Often, the most basic funeral services will be supported in these cases, with limited control over what happens. An affordable direct cremation from DFS Memorials can be arranged for $795 in Central Florida.

Understanding funeral & cremation costs in St. Louis, MO

Posted on March 2, 2023 by Cremation Advisor

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!

save_money_cremation 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.

Provider	Direct cremation price
Cremation Services of Metro East	$1,695
Kutis Funeral Home	$1,395
Kriegshauser Bros. Funeral Home	$1,299
St. Louis Cremation	$1,195
Heartland Cremation & Burial Society	$1,195
DFS Memorials	$1,095

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.

Average cremation costs and funeral costs in Southeast Florida

Posted on May 28, 2022 by Cremation Advisor

Today’s funeral consumers are much savvier about funeral costs. This is in part due to the fact that the economic downturn has forced many families to seek out more affordable death care alternatives, and also because we are more discerning consumers and prepared to shop around and compare prices…even for a funeral. The Internet has provided a great anonymous tool for families to check out what funeral costs to expect before ever entering a funeral establishment. Indeed, it is possible to arrange a funeral or cremation today without visiting a funeral home! Read on to find out more about funeral and cremation costs in Southeast Florida.

What is the average cost of a funeral in Southeast Florida?

The average cost of a traditional funeral is $7,848 (National Association of Funeral Directors NFDA 2021); however, it is possible to arrange a simple funeral service for in the region of $4,500 (including a casket but not including cemetery fees).

A direct cremation is the least expensive and ‘no-fuss’ cremation option and can be conducted for $795 complete (including one copy of the death certificate).

How can I save on funeral and cremation costs in Southeast Florida?

You can save money on the cost of a funeral by reducing the level of ancillary services. A casket is one of the large purchases associated with arranging a funeral. No law states you must purchase a casket, although many cemeteries will require you to use an outer burial container or burial vault. Y

ou can purchase a casket from a third-party casket seller (sometimes cheaper than purchasing a casket from a funeral home), or you can make your own coffin. There is also no legal requirement in Florida that the deceased be embalmed if the burial takes place within several days. Refrigeration is an adequate preservative and can be much less expensive than embalming.

Another significant way to save on the cost of a funeral is to consider cremation as an alternative. Cremation eliminates the need for a casket, embalming, burial vault, and cemetery plot. This alone can save thousands of dollars.

What is the average cost of a cremation in Southeast Florida?

casket About 6 in 10 families now choose cremation in Florida as the preferred disposition option.

As a retirement and snowbird destination, cremation has become popular as an easy means to conduct an immediate disposition and then ship the remains back to a home state.

Because cremation accounts for over 60% of all funerals, it is possible to arrange a cremation at a low price in SE Florida. Cremation costs start at $795 for a complete direct cremation package.

What is a direct cremation?

A direct cremation is sometimes referred to as an immediate cremation or a basic cremation. It is where cremation is performed, but no services, visitation, or ceremony is held. It is the simplest method of disposition available – and the cheapest cremation option.

Call the DFS Memorials provider for SE Florida for the best value direct cremation package. This complete package costs $795 and includes everything required to conduct the disposition, including 1 copy of the death certificate.

Call (305) 901-2403 now [All staff are fully bilingual in Spanish and English]

DFS Memorials of SE Florida

The DFS Memorials provider for the SE Florida area serves the whole of the Atlantic coast area from the Florida Keys right up to Fort Pierce. The complete direct cremation price of $795 applies to Broward, Martin, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach & St Lucie counties.

This cremation package price includes everything to conduct the cremation, including cremation fees, permits, and 1 copy of the death certificate. There is nothing extra to pay. Ken and his team of bilingual funeral directors answer calls 24 hours a day and aim to provide a compassionate yet affordable service to the families they serve. Call (305) 901-2403 now.

What is the difference between a direct disposer and a funeral home?

cremacion-miami A direct disposer can ONLY perform a direct disposition and cannot offer many of the services that a fully licensed funeral home can. No viewing, services, or ceremony can be conducted by the direct disposer.

This means that a direct disposer can often offer competitive direct cremation prices. However, it is not uncommon for a direct disposer to offer budget cremation prices that are NOT inclusive and charge additional fees for such things as a residential collection. It is wise to always fully check exactly what is included in any direct cremation package, particularly to look for any hidden fees!

What help is available for cremation costs in SE Florida?

There is rather limited financial assistance to help families pay for a funeral. The state provides some assistance for indigent dispositions, but this will depend on eligibility. You can contact your local county human services to find out if you qualify for any public aid for funeral costs.

It is possible to arrange a no-cost cremation if you are struggling to pay for a funeral. A no-cost cremation is when you opt to donate your body to science. The body donation organization will arrange a free cremation for you once the donation is complete and return the cremated remains to the family within a few weeks.

Ken and his team can arrange a no-cost cremation with a body donation via a local University medical school or a national donation program.

Online Cremation Arrangements or Pre-planning online

Posted on March 27, 2022 by Sara Marsden

“If someone had told me 10 years ago that a family would make online cremation arrangements for a funeral without ever visiting my funeral home, I would have said they were crazy!” stated Vincent, the DFS Memorials funeral director for New York during a recent conversation we had.

A fourth-generation funeral director he has witnessed a significant change in the industry over the last decade, and now embraces how the Internet is revolutionizing what he, and his family, has known as a traditional business for generations.

He is one of a number of more progressive funeral professionals who recognize how embracing and utilizing technology can help them be on the cusp of great change within death care in the U.S.

The COVID pandemic further pushed the funeral industry to adapt to change. A change in technology, and being able to offer online cremation arrangements, and remote document signatures. The pandemic also gave the cremation rate a driver. Many families had no choice but to arrange a cremation to take care of a family member’s immediate disposition.

The Rise of Online Funeral Arrangement

There is no doubt, nor room for debate, that we have become a culture of online consumers. According to a study by BIA/Kelsey 97% of consumers now use some form of online media to research products and services, and it is widely accepted that with smartphones and tablets, we are all much more intuitive to that ‘instant gratification’ of information….wherever we are! Whilst 93% of the U.S. population is now online, a study by Pew in 2021 reported that 85% of U.S. adults now own a smartphone, whilst 53% own a tablet. This clearly demonstrates that our access to online technology significantly positions the majority of us to make purchase decisions online.

A few years ago the notion of Online Funerals was often synonymous with the notion of webcast funerals – the live streaming of a funeral service over the web. Today online funerals take on a whole new meaning as families can conduct all arrangements for a funeral without ever needing to visit a funeral home.

Why Arrange a Cremation Online?

The cremation trend can be seen as attributable to this rise in making funeral arrangements online. Cremation has brought about a more simplistic and flexible approach to a funeral. We often hear people (especially the Baby Boomer generation) say “I just want a simple cremation”. Opting for cremation as a simple, no-fuss disposition means that it can be easily facilitated by making arrangements with the funeral home or crematory either online or by phone.

One of the fastest-growing sectors of cremation is direct cremation. This is a basic cremation with no services. As no services are held, and an immediate cremation is performed after any mandatory period has elapsed, those families opting for a direct cremation often feel there is little value in visiting the funeral home.

Keep funeral costs down: Stay in Charge of the funeral decision-making process!

In many cases, the family has opted for the lowest cost cremation because they could not afford anything else, and the last thing they want is to enter a funeral home and feel uncomfortable asking for low-cost services! Being able to make all the arrangements online can alleviate them from the human emotional aspect of dealing with a funeral salesperson.

Many funeral homes that offer online cremation arrangements offer very simplistic interfaces that enable the family to make their choices from clearly marked selections – be it choosing a cremation package, selecting an urn, or posting an obituary. The simple online arrangement option means that you can calmly and more objectively work through the arrangement details and make decisions from the comfort of your own home.

Read our post on What happens during the cremation process? From the Funeral Home receiving the deceased for a cremation to giving the family the cremated remains to understand more about the whole cremation process.

3 Simple Steps to Arranging a Cremation Online

It can be as easy as 1-2-3! Those funeral homes that offer online cremation arrangements generally have a completely automated system that requires you to follow the steps required to complete the arrangement process.

#1 You need to submit the necessary personal information about the deceased in order that the funeral home can obtain the death certificate, notify social security and obtain the necessary authorization and permits to conduct the cremation.

#2 Secondly, you will be asked to complete a ‘Cremation Authorization Form’. This must be completed by the legal next of kin, and the person thereby authorized to make funeral arrangements.

#3 Finally, you will need to make a selection of what kind of cremation package you require and any cremation merchandise you require, such as cremation urns or any additional copies of death certificates.

Generally, once you have completed the online forms and submitted the information, a funeral director will contact you to finalize the arrangements and complete the payment process. The whole online process should take no longer than about 20 minutes to complete. Payment can be made by credit card, or by sending in a check or money order. In some cases, you can pay with PayPal or Bitcoin! How easy is that?

What about Human Interaction?

Some of my co-workers are skeptical about the future growth of online arrangement tools. “What about the human interaction?” they claim, “People still want to talk to someone”.

Almost all funeral homes that offer online funeral arrangements tools also offer a funeral director at the end of the phone should you have any questions or queries. For many funeral homes where revenue is declining as families turn to cremation [average funeral home revenues are down 37%], being able to offer online arrangements enables them to keep cremation prices down and minimize their overhead.

If for any reason you feel uncomfortable about completing arrangements online, you should first consult with the funeral home. In many cases talking to a funeral professional can help to salve any concerns you may have. I have known of funeral directors who will actually complete the process online with the family on the end of the phone.

I know of several funeral homes offering online arrangements that DO require the family to phone first for a secure password to access the online arrangement tool. This is to help prevent unnecessary spam use or competitors soliciting information.

Save on Cremation Costs: Discounts for Online Cremation Arrangements

Don’t we all love a deal these days? How about $100 off if you arrange online? Several of the cremation providers we work with offer specially discounted cremation prices for those families that will complete the arrangement process online. The savings that they can make on overhead can be passed on to the families they serve. It may well be that their web advertised direct cremation price is an “Internet-Only” offer, or you will be offered some kind of cash discount off the cost of cremation if you DO complete all the arrangement process online.

A Word of Warning: Watch out for Add-On Pricing!

As a final note – do be aware that in some cases that enticing low-cost cremation price may be a very basic price, and you may find add-on items bump this price up as you complete the online process. It is wise to ensure you have read the full breakdown of what is included with the package you are selecting before starting the online process.

Check that the package includes the cremation container, any crematory fee, and at least 1 copy of a death certificate. A temporary cremation urn (a plastic/cardboard container) is generally provided with a direct cremation but you can select an upgraded urn.

For those that are comfortable with making purchases online, organizing the elements of a simple cremation disposition online may come relatively easily, for others this may still seem too giant a leap of custom and culture.

However, the fact that a significant number of progressive and entrepreneurial funeral businesses are now offering this as an alternative option to traditional methods of funeral arrangement certainly does signify that there is a demand in the funeral marketplace.

The separation between the disposition (cremation) element of the funeral ritual and the memorialization (service) highlights how the funeral industry is to some degree fragmenting. Today many families seek the disposition only element from the funeral home and then organize the memorialization themselves. Whether this is by enlisting a funeral celebrant, a local minister or simply arranging their own secular memorial service. Being able to organize the disposition online via a simple e-arrangement system, can help make this a simple process to manage.

$695 Lowest cost cremation in Pittsburgh

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Cremation Advisor

We are frequently being asked about cremation costs today. A low cost cremation can be obtained for just $695 from the DFS Memorials provider for Pittsburgh, although typically a cremation can cost nearer to $3,000.

There are a number of funeral homes in Pittsburgh offering low cost direct cremations, although $695 is the best price for a direct cremation in the Pittsburgh area. The nearest in value and price we have found was $795 from Walter J. Zalewski Funeral Home.

Other comparable cremation costs we identified were between $985 and $1460 for a basic, direct cremation:

Affordable Cremation Association $985

Cremation & Funeral Care by Danielle A Belusko $1,095

McCabe Brothers Funeral Home Inc $1,460.

A direct cremation in Pittsburgh includes the collection of the deceased into the care of the funeral home, filing of all the necessary documentation and permits, an alternative cremation container, the cremation and the return of the cremated remains in a temporary container. There is no service or viewing with a direct cremation, although the family can arrange a short family viewing/visitation prior to the cremation if required, and at an additional cost.

Working with our local, family-owned DFS Memorials provider, we can bring you the best deal on the cost of a cremation in Pittsburgh. Quality service at a low cost!

Call now on (412) 203-5809 with any questions you have!

DFS Memorials of Pittsburgh serves Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

What is a public assistance funeral?

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Cremation Advisor

The poor economy has taken its toll on many American families, and as many struggle just to put food on the table, a death can be but an additional financial strain. Less and less people are investing in funeral plans or burial insurance, simply because savings and insurance policies are some of the first things to go when there is a financial crisis.

More often today at DFS Memorials we are encountering distraught families who have found that a sudden bereavement has tipped them over the edge! We are witnessing an increase in the number of folks seeking out financial help with funeral expenses, and answering questions about what help there is to pay funeral costs.

What kind of financial help there is varies considerably depending on where you live, what your personal circumstances are, and the circumstances of the deceased. Some states/counties do still offer some public assistance with funeral costs, however, this is very limited these days. A ‘public assistance’ funeral is where the state will contribute a fixed sum towards the cost of a funeral. It is sometimes called a ‘welfare funeral’.

The state will pay a fixed amount, generally direct to the funeral director, that will enable a basic burial or cremation to be conducted. In some cases the family can supplement the contribution.

If you are concerned about how you are going to pay for a funeral, you need to seek some guidance. You may wish to consult your local county Human Services or Social Services department. Sometimes they will have a list of funeral homes who will handle public assistance funerals. The funeral director will complete the necessary forms with you and submit his fees to the county for payment.

Do be aware, that if for any reason the application for support is declined, you would be liable for the funeral costs your funeral home has incurred concerning the funeral contract you have signed. You MUST ensure that you can raise the sufficient funds to cover the expenses you are arranging.

Due to the rise in bad debt for funeral expenses, and the reduction in county support, some funeral homes are less willing to accept deceased family members where it is apparent the family may lack funds. However, there are still funeral homes who do their utmost to help families care for their lost loved ones, no matter the unfortunate circumstances. It IS important to ensure you are dealing with reputable, funeral professionals who care about helping your family.

There are various financial support funds for deceased veterans and certain dependents, as well as victims of crime.

— Remember: If you have concerns about affording a funeral, try and keep your funeral costs to a minimum. You can arrange a simple, dignified cremation and conduct your own family memorial, which can reduce your outlay to under $1,000 in many areas of the United States.

Sara Marsden [Google+]

Cremated ashes remain unclaimed as Social Security becomes responsible for more unclaimed bodies

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Cremation Advisor

The cost of death care can be crippling when you are already on the breadline. More Americans are searching for help with funeral expenses from social security, and funeral directors are finding themselves supporting families with social security financial aid claims.

Who picks up the tab when no one has any money to pay? The costs are adding up, both for county Social Security departments, and for funeral providers. Most county welfare sections have some funds to defray funeral expenses for those on welfare and simply without any money to cover funeral costs. Costs vary depending on state and county, but can usually be around the $500 mark, payable to a local funeral establishment to conduct a basic disposition on behalf of the family concerned. The question is – who wants to handle these funerals?

Some funeral businesses are themselves already feeling the pinch, as they have to write off more debt to offset families who have been unable to pay in full for services provided.

Even the ‘lump-sum death payment’ paid out from Social Security for a person who has worked long enough to be covered is only $255. When you consider that an average funeral today costs $7,300 (NFDA), then this amount does nothing to cover typical funeral costs.

So local county social security departments are finding themselves handling more cases of unclaimed bodies. Someone may die in hospital or in a nursing home and no one comes forward to claim the body. The cheapest and most common method of dealing with these unclaimed bodies is for the county to arrange a direct cremation.

And just like this story about unclaimed cremated remains from Cleveland County Department of Social Services where they now have a shelf of unclaimed ashes, other counties are reporting building additional budget columbarium’s as ‘pauper graves’.

It is tragic that the economic downturn is leaving so many without the simple dignity of looking after their lost loved ones. Some are turning to body donation in a desperate attempt to obtain that promised “free cremation” otherwise called a “no cost cremation”. But as with anything else in life…..nothing is ever free! The body donation programs are selective about what donors they can accept, especially if the practicalities of an application have not already been arranged. Overweight donors are generally not accepted – ruling out about 40% of the population. And that ‘free’ cremation may mean a wait to get the cremated remains returned. I have even heard instances of up to a year after the death occurred.

More budget and low cost cremation providers are emerging to meet the need for cheap funerals, but this still means that a family needs between $500 and $1400 in most areas to meet these basic cremation costs.

For those that can, finding a low cost cremation provider locally, and setting aside the funds for a direct cremation in a POD or Totten account, is probably to very good way to make sure you are assured of a basic send-off when the time comes.

If you want to know where your nearest low cost cremation provider is – contact us immediately.