In 1958, less than 4% of Americans chose cremation. However, in 2021, cremation is a popular choice for families and those making preparations for their own memorials. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, there is an expectation that 58% of Americans will choose cremation in 2021. By 2040, the expected percentage of Americans choosing cremation will likely rise to 78.4%. With so many choosing cremation, it makes sense to consider what cremation services include.
Why Is Cremation Growing in Popularity?
Funeral plans can seem complicated and daunting. Very simply, with cremation, you make fewer decisions and experience less anxiety about the planning process. Decisions such as choosing a casket, vault, grave location, cemetery, and speaker, much less planning the service, can feel overwhelming.
Choosing cremation usually means fewer decisions. Regardless of whether you choose to have the cremation before or after a funeral or memorial service, fewer decisions mean less anxiety. You can focus on your family and mourn your loss.
Generally, cremation is also less expensive. It avoids the need to buy a vault or grave-liner, and might avoid the need to buy a cemetery plot and headstone. If you place the urn somewhere other than a cemetery, there is no need for these purchases.
Cremation can be significantly less expensive than burial if cremation occurs before the ceremony. After cremation, you can schedule the memorial or celebration of life service.
Direct Cremation
Direct cremation providers offer services on-site. Choosing a direct cremation provider is the most cost-effective way to buy cremation services. Many funeral homes contract with a separate cremation business, operated and managed by unknown personnel. A funeral home who contracts separately for cremation may cost more and the process if out of their hands.
Alternatively, an all-inclusive funeral home provides on-site cremation. Having the services of a funeral home and a direct cremation provider together provides both cost-effectiveness and service.
A funeral home with a direct cremation center often offers premium services in addition to the cremation services themselves. These funeral homes may include a memorial service in their chapel, a wake or visitation, an urn, or other ways to honor your loved one.
A simple direct cremation at a funeral home usually includes:
- Professional Arrangements with Funeral Director
- Creating and Filing Legal Documents / Permits
- Transfer of Deceased to Funeral Home
- Cremation Fee
With a basic package, there is less urgency with planning a ceremony or funeral event such as a memorial service or celebration of life since this generally happens after the cremation process.
Cremation before a memorial service gives you time. The condition of the body becomes of less concern because the cremation is performed soon after death. Once the body passes through cremation, you can schedule a memorial or celebration of life service weeks or even months later. With cremation, time is on your side.
Family Participation
Some families desire to participate in the cremation process to some extent. If your family would like to be involved in the actual process, some funeral homes even offer reverent and private viewing rooms to say goodbye. You may even decorate the wooden or cardboard coffin or assist the staff with the cremation. You can also sometimes plan a witness ceremony at the crematory before the cremation.
Saying goodbye to a loved one is never easy. Participating in the process can help some individuals process their grief and understand more fully what has occurred.
Premium Funeral Services
For a more premium funeral service, including cremation services at a funeral home, you may pay upwards of $7,000 but receive many more opportunities to grieve with your family and share time together.
With a premium package, you generally hold a wake or visitation with the funeral home caring for and preparing the body. They prepare for a visitation or wake and a funeral with an open casket if desired. (funeral homes often provide a rental casket for the visitation or wake and funeral).
You also may expect extra services for a premium cremation package, including all of these services:
- Professional Services
- Transfer of Deceased to Our Care
- Care and Preparation
- Visitation & Funeral Same Day
- Rental Oak Cremation Casket
- On-Site Cremation
- Basic Urn
- All Necessary Paperwork
- LIVE Streaming Funeral Service
Plan Ahead Today
Pre-planning the funeral experience for your loved ones provides you with time to make end-of-life decisions in a calm and rational atmosphere. However, before you make a final decision about cremation, talk with different funeral homes.
It is worth the time to find a funeral home that will listen to your wishes and work with you. Find a funeral director who honors your wishes and discusses your wants. Only work with someone who lets you know that they take care of the details and will make a special effort to meet your needs.
We Can Help
At Renaissance Funeral Home and Crematory, we create events to help you mourn your loss together with your loved ones. We handle all the details for you and understand your desire to grieve together with your family and loved ones while making the best decisions for your unique situation.
Our cremation tribute center is on-site and operated by our own employees; not contracted with a separate cremation business. We handle everything you need in-house. If you are interested in seeing our cremation tribute center, please contact us for a tour. We would love the opportunity to meet with you.
You can start the online planning process now or meet with one of our pre-planning advisors. Planning a cremation and any services does not have to be difficult or complex. Contact us today and find out how we can help you create a memorable experience with your loved ones.
