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San Antonio is one of the cheapest cities to be cremated in

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Direct cremation service San Antonio TXHalf a century ago very few Texans opted for cremation.  Indeed, Texas was slower than other states to embrace cremation as an alternative to traditional burial.  However, the last 5 years have changed dramatically.  We have seen the cremation rate rise from 38% in 2013 to reach almost 50%.  More and more Texans are accepting a cremation as a simple and much more affordable option than burial.  You can arrange an at-need direct cremation in San Antonio for as little as $595. If you want to understand a little more about cremation prices and options, read on.

San Antonio is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S.  A modern hub of growth and modernity, where a simple direct cremation service is one of the cheapest in the country.  A direct cremation can be conducted in San Antonio for as little as $595 complete.  The only additional fees are third-party county fees, such as costs for the death certificate and cremation permit.  More information on this is included below.

Why is the direct cremation price so low in San Antonio?

Overall the average price for a direct cremation in Texas, (and in most major cities) will range between $700 – $1,100. So, San Antonio stands out as a “cheaper place to die”.  Demand has driven the shift to cremation, with some resistance by the industry.

There are certainly a few local funeral businesses that embraced the demand for affordable death care alternatives.  Several of these local businesses positioned themselves at the ‘right time’ to capture the simple cremation service market.  Opening their own crematories when many funeral homes were still lamenting the decline in the traditional death care market.

Texas is a state of big business and opportunity, and it seems there have been sufficient entrepreneurial death care experts who decided to invest in the potential for cremation early on.

Cremation Memorial ServiceWhat does a direct cremation in San Antonio include?

A direct cremation is the industry term for a simple, no-ceremony cremation.  This is the service that offers families an exceptionally affordable option at $595.  The deceased is collected, transported to the funeral home/crematory, the legal paperwork completed and obtained, the cremation performed and then the cremation ashes returned to the family in a simple, temporary urn.

This effectively takes care of the immediate need to conduct a disposition.  Families have sometimes already decided they want to scatter the ashes.  Or, they are opting to host their own memorial service at a later date.

What extra costs are there?

Death certificates are a fixed state fee at $21.00 for the initial certificate and additional copies priced at $4.00 each.  You only need to have at least one copy of the death certificate.  But many families find 3-5 copies make it easier to manage closing down the deceased’s estate.

Cremation permits are issued by Bexar county Medical examiner’s office within 24 hours of a request received from a funeral home.  Bexar county charges $25.00 for issuing a cremation permit.

If the deceased is a ME case, this can expedite the process for obtaining a cremation permit.  The MEO office is at  7337 Louis Pasteur Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78229

Arrange a cremation onlineCan you pre-plan a cheap direct cremation?

You can pre-plan a cremation service.  But the $595 price is for an immediate (or at-need) service.  Pre-planning usually involves putting funds into a state trust or insurance plan that will cover the costs at a future date.  For this reason, pre-arranging a cremation will generally cost in the region of $1,000 -$1,500.  It will depend on the individual circumstances of how, and for who, the provision is being made, and over what terms it is pre-paid.  The Neptune Society (operated by Service Corporation International) has a location in San Antonio.  They tend to focus on selling direct cremation packages, and especially pre-arrangement services. They do not publish cremation prices on their website.  But they do reference cremation costs as being “The total cost of cremation can range up to several thousands of dollars depending on those choices”. 

This useful article from US Funerals Online explains in detail how you can pre-plan, without pre-paying, and benefit from low pricing with a Payable on Death (POD) bank account.

Another handy resource is this article on cremation laws and a comprehensive funeral guide for the state of Texas.

 

Guide to arranging a cremation in Las Vegas

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The cremation trend is changing the way we think about arranging a funeral.  And opting for a simple, direct cremation is allowing families to save thousands of dollars on funeral costs, whilst also giving them back more control over the funeral and memorial process.

How funeral care is changing and economic reasons for choosing cremation

Direct cremation price Las VegasDeciding whether to bury or cremate is a personal choice.  For some families the decision is dictated by the budget they have for a funeral and a cremation service will cost 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 does offer a 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 on 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 Las Vegas?

This is not a simple question to answer as funeral costs can range significantly depending on the type of services and products selected, and the funeral services provider used.  The average cost of a funeral in Las Vegas is $6,641*, but the lowest cost is $4,050.

How much does a cremation cost in Las Vegas?

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, meaning that 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 Las Vegas DO vary considerably between funeral homes, and depending 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 $3,651*, however, it is possible to find much lower-priced cremation services in Las Vegas.

cheap cremation las vegas nvHow much is a direct cremation in Las Vegas, NV?

A basic cremation can be conducted in Vegas for as little as $795.  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 the cremation is conducted.  The cremated remains are returned to the family in a temporary plastic urn.

What type of cremation services are available?

You can select from a range of cremation services and packages.  These will start with a basic cremation without any additional services, which is the cheapest type of cremation package.  You can have a full service funeral that is followed by the cremation, a cremation followed by a memorial service, or just a viewing followed by a cremation.  Cremation does offer versatility in what options you have, and when and where any services can be held.

How to compare cremation costs in Las Vegas,

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, and others do not always include these fees.  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?

direct cremation Queens NYThis 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 has to be completely cleared following a 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 Nevada

As mentioned above, there are laws in place regarding the cremation of human remains.  A cremation cannot be performed until the death certificate has been issued by the county and 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 does not go ahead within 5 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 from cremated remains such as cremation diamonds, glass jewelry, bird baths and paintings.

Preplanning an affordable cremation service

If you wish to preplan a simple cremation you can lock in a low cost cremation price.  This may depend upon your age at the time of 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 cremation service without prepaying.  This ensures that your surviving family can proceed with arrangements at the time of need, without having to worry 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 pay 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.  To find out what may be available you should contact Clark County Social Services Department at:

500 S. Grand Central Pkwy, las Vegas, NY 89155 Phone: (702) 455-0000

The deceased is at the Medical Examiner’s Office.  What do I do?

If the deceased was the victim of a crime, or there were unusual circumstances surrounding the death, 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 to liaise 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 as all the paperwork can be expedited quickly and the process to transfer the deceased to the funeral facility is simplified.

Address of county coroner’s office: Clark County Medical Examiner 1704 Pinto Lane, Las Vegas, NV, 89106

We hope this short guide has helped answer some of your immediate questions, and provided some help to understanding how you can arrange an affordable funeral or cremation service in Las Vegas, NV.  If you need to research more information on funeral-planning, please visit the Library section on US Funerals Online.

*Funeral prices obtained from Parting funeral price comparison survey 2019

How to save money arranging a direct cremation in Sioux City, Iowa

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Direct cremation in Sioux City, IAThe high cost of traditional funerals has led many families to seek more affordable alternative services, such as direct cremation.

Cremation is now the nation’s preferred death care choice, with the cremation rate reaching 55%.  Cremation offers a simple, no-fuss and affordable disposition.

Direct cremation, which is where a cremation is conducted, but no ceremony or services are provided by the funeral home is the most inexpensive way to conduct an affordable funeral.

What is the average cost of a funeral in Sioux City?

According to SmartAsset and an analysis of the funeral industry, the National Funeral Directors Association report that the average cost for a funeral is $7,181.  This does not include cemetery fees

What is the average cost of a cremation?

The Cremation Association of North America (CANA), the largest trade organization for cremation practitioners, state that the national average cost of a cremation is $1,650.  However, the average cost will depend on what kind of cremation service is selected.  A cremation with a funeral or memorial service costs more than a direct cremation.

How much is a direct cremation?

The cost of direct cremation varies by area and provider.  In Sioux City, a direct cremation can be arranged for $1,505.

Cremation service in Sioux CityHow can you save money by arranging a direct cremation?

A direct cremation is where no ceremony or funeral service is provided by the funeral services provider.  The deceased is cremated and the cremated remains returned to the family.

This means that the funeral home can offer a direct cremation at a much lower price, and the family can save money on funeral costs.  It is still possible to conduct a memorial service at a later date with the cremated remains, so this can be a way to save costs, or even split the cost between an immediate cremation and a later memorial service.

Can I preplan a direct cremation?

Yes, you can preplan a direct cremation.  Most funeral service providers offer cremation plans where the funds are put in trust or into an insurance product.

Are there additional costs when arranging a basic direct cremation?

Generally, the additional fees will be county fees, such as the death certificate and cremation permit. Other additional fees to consider are if a barometric cremation is required, or if a 2-man collection is required from a residential address.  Most direct cremation providers include a basic cremation container if their package fee, but some do not.

The deceased had no life insurance…..

Sadly, this is happening more frequently, and family find themselves responsible for finding the funds to pay for a funeral.  This is where a direct cremation can be a simple, low-cost solution.

What if the deceased is at the Medical Examiners?

This can often expedite the process for performing a funeral, as the coroner will release the deceased with all the required paperwork ready.  Only a licensed funeral director can collect a body from the ME to transfer the remains to a funeral establishment.

If you have more questions about arranging a funeral or cremation, please visit the DFS Memorials resources blog, or US Funerals Online library section.

What does cremation cost in Paterson, NJ – just $995

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TCremation cost Paterson NJhe US is experiencing a dramatic shift towards cremation across as families demand more affordable death care alternatives.

And for those families in Paterson who do not want to overspend on a funeral, or simply cannot afford a costly funeral, cremation is a low-cost alternative.  This article gives an brief overview of the average cremation cost and how to save money when making funeral arrangements.

What is the average cost of a funeral in Paterson?

These days we are price-conscious consumers, very mindful of costs, and people are now realizing they can price-shop for funeral services.  Why should we not ask how much it costs?  The Internet offers a great tool to research funeral costs from the comfort of your own home.  Unfortunately, not all funeral homes in Paterson have websites, or put their prices online, so we have put this guide together to outline average funeral and cremation costs in Paterson for you.

The average cost of a traditional funeral in Paterson is $6,250*, although the lowest price is $5,525*.

So how do cremation costs compare in Paterson?

Cremation offers a cheaper and more flexible alternative to a traditional burial, and can therefore significantly reduce funeral costs.

No casket, cemetery plot or burial vault is required, immediately reducing some of the most expensive purchases related to funeral expenses.

The average price for a cremation funeral service in Paterson is $3,193*.

Direct cremation services in Paterson, NJ

Direct cremation is the industry term for a ‘simple cremation’.  Only the cremation service is provided by the funeral home.  No ceremony or funeral services are provided by the funeral home.  The deceased is collected, cremated and the remains returned to the family in a basic urn.

Cremation Service Paterson NJDirect cremation offers families lower cost funeral services and more control over the time and type of memorial ceremonial services they desire.  A memorial service can be held in a place of worship, a community venue or even outdoors.  The service can be conducted with, or without, the cremation urn present, and can even take the form of an ash-scattering ceremony or interment in a cremation niche or scattering garden.

A basic direct cremation is available in Paterson for $995, although the average price for a direct cremation is $1,565*.  To help families arrange affordable cremation services we have selected only family-owned cremation services providers who can offer a basic cremation package for just $995.

Direct cremation means a family can manage to conduct dignified funeral services for as little as $995

Call now on (973) 221-3351 now to arrange a low-cost cremation

Are there are additional fees to the $995 cremation package?

The $995 direct cremation package is a complete package, including a death certificate.  Additional death certificates and cremation urns can be purchased at an additional cost.

How do I know that I am getting the remains of my loved one back?

This is one of the most frequent questions families ask about cremation.  Strict laws govern the cremation of human remains and identity checks must be made all along the way.  The cremation retort must be completely cleared following a 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) and then ground into the fine ‘dust’ that is returned as cremation ashes.

What if I am not sure about cremation or the family cannot agree about cremation?

Cremation is such a final disposition, you do need to ensure that you are completely sure that this IS the ‘right’ disposition choice for you.  Certain laws are in place to ensure this final disposition can only proceed if the legal next of kin has authorized it.  A Cremation Authorization Form must be signed by the legal next of kin, and in the case of children, many funeral directors will require all children sign.

You can authorize an agent for your final disposition or sign the authorization when you preplan a cremation.

What can you do with the cremated remains?

The options of what you can do with the cremated remains of your loved one are one of the reasons cremation is becoming more popular.  You can, of course, just choose to inter the remains in a cemetery plot. You can inter the remains in a niche or columbarium, or you can keep the ashes at home.  Keepsake urns even enable you to disperse the ashes between several family members, or choose to scatter some and retain a ‘keepsake’ memorial.

Ash scattering is also more common these days and there are many options for how you can create a befitting ash scattering ceremony.

Cremation planning Can I preplan a direct cremation at an affordable cost?

Yes.  You can preplan a simple direct cremation service.  This is generally funded through an insurance product that will cover this cost when the need arises.  All monies are secured in a trust fund.

How quickly can a cremation be performed?

It generally takes a few days to make the necessary arrangements, complete all the legal paperwork and schedule the cremation.  However, expedited services can be arranged if required.  In New Jersey there is a mandatory 48 hour wait period after death before a cremation can be conducted.

What do I do if I cannot even afford a cremation?

There is very little ‘free’ money to help families with funeral costs.   What is available is constantly changing due to budget constraints, and varies by county.  Some counties do have a provision to assist needy or low-income families.  Contact Passaic county DFCS to find out what may be available to you locally.

Passaic County DFCS, 80 Hamilton Street Paterson, NJ 07505-2057 (973) 881-0100

There is also a $255 lump sum social security death benefit payment if the deceased qualifies, and your funeral director can help you claim this.  So you may find that a low-cost cremation at $995 with DFS Memorials is a dignified, yet affordable, disposition alternative if your family is struggling financially.

What is the service area around Paterson?

The $995 direct cremation package is available throughout all of the Greater Paterson are and surrounding counties including counties.

If you have further questions about cremation, feel free to call us on (973) 221-3351 and we will be happy to try and help you.

*funeral prices obtained from online funeral price survey website January 2018

Selecting Affordable Cremation Services in Santa Barbara, CA – $845

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This brief guide is aimed at helping families understand how to save money by choosing simple and affordable cremation services.  Direct cremation is proving the popular disposition choice for many Californians now, and a direct cremation service can be arranged in Santa Barbara for just $845.

How funeral care is changing and economic reasons for choosing cremation

Deciding whether to bury or cremate is a personal choice.  For some families the decision is dictated by the budget they have for a funeral and a cremation service will cost 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 does offer a 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 on 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 Santa Barbara?

This is not a simple question to answer as funeral costs can range significantly depending on the type of services and products selected, and the funeral services provider used.  The average cost of a funeral in Santa Barbara is $6,610.

How much does a cremation cost in Santa Barbara?

cremation plan santa barbaraFirstly, 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, meaning that 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 Santa Barbara DO vary quite considerably between funeral homes, and depending 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 $3,620, however, it is possible to find much lower-priced cremation services in Santa Barbara.

Neptune Society offer a direct cremation for $1,714* and Smart Cremation offer a direct cremation for $2,200.  DFS Memorials offers an at-need direct cremation service for $845.

How much is a direct cremation in Santa Barbara, CA?

The average price for a direct cremation in Santa Barbara is $1,892.  A direct cremation is when no funeral ceremony or services are performed by the cremation services provider.  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.  If desired the family can arrange a brief final goodbye viewing at the funeral home.

Call DFS Memorials now on (805) 265-9651 to arrange a low cost cremation for $845

What type of cremation services are available?

You can select from a range of cremation services and packages.  These will start with a basic cremation without any additional services, which is the cheapest type of cremation package.  You can have a full service funeral that is followed by the cremation, a cremation followed by a memorial service, or just a viewing followed by a cremation.  Cremation does offer versatility in what options you have, and when and where any services can be held.

How to compare cremation costs in Santa Barbara, CA

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, and others do not always include these fees.  Death certificate fees and cremation permits are often additional ‘cash advance’ items.

We compared direct cremation prices in Santa Barbara to find the most affordable cremation service provider, so you do not have the arduous task of contacting numerous funeral homes to inquire about costs.

direct cremationHow 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 has to be completely cleared following a 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 Santa Barbara

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.  There is a mandatory wait period of 24 hours after death in California before the cremation can proceed.

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 does not go ahead within 5 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 from cremated remains such as cremation diamonds, glass jewelry, bird baths and paintings.  Visit our section on Memorialization to read more about what you can do with cremated remains.

Preplanning an affordable cremation service

If you wish to preplan a simple cremation you can lock in a low cost cremation price.  This may depend upon your age at the time of 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 cremation service without prepaying.  This ensures that your surviving family can proceed with arrangements at the time of need, without having to worry 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 pay 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.  To find out what may be available you should contact Santa Barbara County Human Services Department at:

234 Camino del Remedio, Santa Barbara, CA 93110, USA

The deceased is at the Medical Examiner’s Office.  What do I do?

If the deceased was the victim of a crime, or there were unusual circumstances surrounding the death, 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 to liaise 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 as all the paperwork can be expedited quickly and the process to transfer the deceased to the funeral facility is simplified.

Address of Santa Barbara county medical examiner/coroner’s office:

66 South San Antonio Road, Santa Barbara, California, 93110

We hope this short guide has helped answer some of your immediate questions, and provided some help to understanding how you can arrange an affordable funeral or cremation service in Santa Barbara, CA.  If you need to research more information on funeral-planning, please visit the Library section on US Funerals Online.

*Funeral prices obtained from Parting funeral price comparison survey 2017