Direct Cremation: The simple & most affordable cremation service.
A Direct Cremation is the simplest and most affordable form of cremation. It involves the cremation of the deceased without a formal funeral service, viewing, or embalming.
If you have an immediate need for a low-cost direct cremation, or want to find out what a cremation costs near you for planning ahead, then click the link below.
The Direct Cremation process typically includes:
1. Collection of the Deceased – The funeral home or cremation provider picks up the body from the place of death (hospital, nursing home, hospice, or residence).
2. Completion of Legal Paperwork – This includes obtaining the death certificate and cremation permits.
3. Cremation – The body is cremated in a simple container (instead of an expensive casket).
4. Return of Ashes – The cremated remains are placed in an urn or a temporary container and returned to the family.
Cremation without a traditional funeral service
Save on Cremation Costs
How DFS Memorials can help families save on cremation costs
DFS Memorials was established in 2012, with the sole intention of helping families understand more about funerals and cremations, and in particular, cremation options and the costs involved. When choosing cremation, it is important to understand the different types of cremation services that are available.
You may still wish to have all the traditional aspects of a full-service funeral, the only difference being that following the service, the body is cremated, instead of being buried. As a cremation service eliminates the need for embalming or an elaborate casket, this is certainly a way of saving on cremation costs. However, it is important to note that a full-service cremation can still cost $4000 – $10,000.
The increasing demand for cremations, and how the funeral industry is being forced to adapt to families opting for a direct cremation
The cremation rate in the US stood at around 30% in 2005, however, today the number of families opting for cremation has more than doubled, to 61%. The primary driving factor is cremation costs, but this is not the only reason. As a society, people have tended to move to different cities, states and even overseas. Tradition has also moved over in favor of simpler funeral and cremation choices. Cremation gives families much more flexibility in terms of being able to arrange their own memorial service or celebration of life gatherings. This can be done later, which is more convenient for other family members.
The trend toward Direct Cremation began to grow rapidly from around 2014, and when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, many cities and states prevented funeral gatherings from taking place. This only accelerated the growth of Direct Cremation, as many people were unaware such an option even existed, and the cremation costs associated with a direct cremation, made many rethink the whole nature of funerals.
Arranging your own memorial service or celebration of life after a direct cremation
Nothing could be more personal than arranging a memorial tribute for a departed loved one. Some families may choose to have the cremated remains placed in a decorative urn, which can be taken to a local place of worship and a personalized service conducted.
Others may opt for a family gathering at their home or choose a memorable place that the deceased liked to visit. Without the need to make difficult decisions immediately after a death has occurred, families can choose to have the cremation and then decide, in their own time, how they wish to commemorate the person they have lost.
Following a cremation service, what can be done with the cremated remains (ashes)
Families are then given the choices of what to do cremated remains, following the cremation. Some choose to have the cremated remated remains interred in a columbarium at a local cemetery. Others may opt to keep the ashes at home, in a decorative urn or elect to have cremated remains scattered at a memorable place.
