Many families choose cremation over traditional burial to save money. While they still want to celebrate the life of their loved one, a traditional burial can easily exceed $10,000. Since not everyone has life insurance or sufficient coverage for a modern funeral, this can leave the bereaved family with a massive financial burden.
Thankfully, cremation is a more affordable option. However, it is still an investment that can quickly become expensive, especially if you do not know what you should and should not be paying for.
Here are a few things to look for when it comes to cremation costs near Antioch:
Will you be having a direct or full-service cremation?
For some people, burying a loved one is no time to celebrate. They may wish to quietly mourn their loss and forgo the traditional service, choosing a direct cremation instead. This type of cremation involves the basic process of cremating the body, plus delivery straight to the family or the location of the internment. A funeral home may not have to get involved at all.
Others want a full-service celebration of life. This can still be done with cremation, although additional costs will be incurred.
What are you paying for?
If you do decide to have a full-service cremation, some of the items you will be billed for include:
- The cremation process
- Preparation of the body. (Especially if you hold a viewing or wake before cremation.)
- Location and service fees for the viewing, visitation, funeral service, and any other services you may hold.
- Urn, casket, or another container to keep or bury ashes in.
The more elements your service has, the more you will be charged for. If you decide to have a traditional viewing before the cremation, for example, you may have to rent or purchase a regular casket. Body preparation will also be more expensive when preparing for one of these services, as will location rental or other service fees.
If budget is a concern, talk to loved ones about skipping the funeral altogether. You can still hold a private gathering while celebrating your loved one’s life in a way that suits your financial means. Contact Holy Cross Cemetery & Funeral Center today to learn more.
