- The cost of a cremation service varies depending on choices made regarding final disposition of a person's remains. Morticians often become involved in the cremation process. They are required by law to provide delineated pricing information in advance for services performed, if any. Different approaches are available as related to an undertaker's services and cremation. Funeral services can be held with a body present for viewing prior to cremation. Some people choose to have memorial services with pictures or other mementos, and others choose direct cremation.
- When opting to have a viewing of the body and funeral services, the cost of cremation can be about $3,500. This would cover the costs of the funeral director or staff transporting the body, embalming and otherwise preparing the deceased for viewing. Also included would be a nondescript casket. Caskets for viewing can be rented and contain a removable container. Most crematories require a body be placed in a non-pliable container prior to cremation.
- Memorial services generally involve rental of facilities at a funeral home, and fees to transport the body to the crematory, or hold in a refrigerated area. The cost of a minister or other facilitator to conduct the memorial ceremony would also be involved. If this option is chosen the estimated cost would be around $1,200. Private memorial services can be held anywhere at the families choosing. The private memorial usually does not involve outside funeral firms, and the cost would center on decisions made by the family as to venue and ceremony. Cremation fees, possible transport and embalming fees may apply and can range anywhere from $800 to $1000.
- The decision to handle the body without a funeral director mediating the process and taking the remains directly to a crematory can range from $100 to $300. This eliminates the option to have a funeral or viewing.
- Whatever method is chosen by a family of the deceased, funeral, memorial service or direct cremation, remains can buried in cemeteries, private property, or placed in a niche columbarium. A columbarium is a grouping of small openings (niches) that hold urns or other containers housing cremated remains. The cremated ashes can be spread over a meaningful area, and is legal most places, according to the Funeral Consumers Alliance.
