Is Cremation Less Expensive than a Traditional Burial with a Casket?

Is Cremation Less Expensive than a Traditional Burial with a Casket? thumbnail
Is Cremation Less Expensive than a Traditional Burial with a Casket?

According to an article from "The Kansas City Star" by Angela Curry on the Cremation Association of North America's website, an average funeral could cost $10,000, while cremations may cost anywhere from $900 and up. Cremation can be more affordable than a traditional ground burial if certain steps are taken.

  1. History

    • People can opt to be cremated.
      People can opt to be cremated.

      Cemeteries were created as a final resting place for those who have passed. People have the option of cremation or traditional burial at the time of death. A person who is cremated is often still buried at some point in time. Burial allows all members of the family to have the ability to pay their respects at a neutral and easily accessible location.

    Funeral Expenses

    • Cremation can save on some expenses.
      Cremation can save on some expenses.

      By choosing cremation and a private family service at a church or cemetery chapel, a family can avoid funeral home expenses. These expenses include removal and care of of body, embalming fees and funeral service charges.

    Free Cremation

    • Donating your body to science is altruistic.
      Donating your body to science is altruistic.

      The most cost-effective way to be cremated is by a person donating his body to science. After being used for medical purposes, the body is cremated and delivered to the next of kin in a simple urn. This is free and alleviates the expense of cremation and purchasing an urn.

    Burial Options

    • You can still be buried in a casket.
      You can still be buried in a casket.

      Traditional burial with a casket can be in the ground, in a lawn crypt (in-ground public mausoleum) or in a mausoleum. These same options are also available for cremains.

    Cemetery Regulations

    • Caskets must be buried.
      Caskets must be buried.

      Cemetery regulations require that caskets be buried in a burial vault to protect them. Cremains generally are not regulated to be buried with a vault or urn. Cremains can be buried in the cardboard box in which they were received from the crematory.

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References

  • Photo Credit cremation urn image by GiGiZ from Fotolia.com old urn image by Pat Lalli from Fotolia.com money money image by Valentin Mosichev from Fotolia.com human body image by Alhazm Salemi from Fotolia.com casket image by enens from Fotolia.com Cemetery statue image by Matt Ferrell from Fotolia.com

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