Have you lost a loved one and are considering a cremation to help them move on to the next life?
If so, you’re likely wondering about the cremation costs. You want to know how much you’ll have to save up to cremate someone and what packages are available.
This short guide will help you determine how much does it cost to cremate someone. You’ll learn the average cost so you can decide whether this is the ideal option for your loved one.
Here’s what you need to know.
Average Cremation Costs
In most of the United States, the average cost of cremation ranges from $4,000 to $7,000.
In the United States, the current legal method of cremation is to place the body in a casket. The casket gets placed in a cremation chamber and the body gets cremated within minutes.
This is an expensive service that also includes the costs of an urn to hold the ashes. You can opt for a direct cremation where you’ll only pay for the cremation services and not for an urn.
This can significantly lower your costs, but you can still expect to pay around $2,000 for a cremation directly to the funeral home. You can then buy an urn elsewhere at a much more affordable price. You can shop here to see the different choices of urns.
You can decide to bury the ashes or scatter them on your own. These, of course, don’t incur additional costs. But if you wish to bury the ashes in a graveyard, you’ll have to pay additional fees.
These additional fees will often cost the same amount as a traditional burial. You can expect to pay between $1,000 to $2,000 just to bury the ashes of your loved one.
Breaking Down the Cremation Costs
So why does a cremation service cost so much? Many people feel that cremations are cheaper than burial services. But in some cases, they can be just as costly.
The first costs are for the administrative work at the funeral home. This can cost between $1,500 to $5,000. The work includes paperwork, coordination, permits, and planning the funeral.
You might have to pay upwards of $1,000 for embalming the body. This prepares the body for cremation and is a crucial service.
You’ll also have to pay for the cremation casket. These are biodegradable and can cost upwards of $1,500.
Additional costs can include flower arrangements and catering. In most cases, you can also arrange these on your own to save costs.
Now You Know How Much Does It Cost to Cremate Someone
Now that you know how much does it cost to cremate someone, you can determine whether this is the best option for your loved one.
Cremation costs in the United States range from $4,000 to $7,000 on average. You’ll have to pay for the administrative costs at the funeral home. Afterward, you’ll pay for the actual cremation procedure itself.
You can save costs by choosing your own urn and deciding how to distribute the ashes. You can also plan the funeral reception on your own.
You can read more about what is cremation on our blog.
