How Much Does it Cost to Have Someone Cremated?

The cost to have a loved one cremated after death depends on numerous things such as locale; if the cremation is arranged through a funeral home or a crematory; the deceased’s size and weight; handling fees; removing pacemakers and jewelry; if the body is burned in a casket or a cardboard box; and moving or disposing of the ashes. The cost of cremations ranges from $400 to $6,000, with cremations directly from a crematory being considerably less expensive than cremations through a funeral home are. However, funeral homes offer many other services that a crematory does not offer, making it a better choice for some people.

Funeral home cremation cost

The cost of having a funeral home arrange a cremation is usually more expensive than going to the crematory directly. The cost of a funeral home cremation ranges from $2500-$6000, depending on the funeral home, the locale and if the family of the deceased chooses to use any of the funeral home’s other services. Most funeral homes offer additional services such as caskets to purchase or rent; urns for the ashes; a special room for visitations and memorial; memorial services; graveside committal service; engraving services, and a cremation niche if the family wishes their loved one to be in a graveyard.

What is the average cost of cremation

The average cost of cremation varies on numerous things that include, but are not limited to: locale; if the cremation is arranged through a funeral home or directly through the crematory; if a casket is used for the body; handling fees; if the family wishes to buy a urn for the ashes, and if the family chooses any other of the offered services. A very basic cremation costs around $400 to $800, while an expensive cremation costs around $6000. The average cremation cost is around $1500-$2000.

Cost of cremation versus burial

The cost difference between cremation and burial is substantial. The cost of a burial ranges from $5000-$15,000, while the price of a cremation ranges from $400-$6000. The most expensive cremation is close to the same price as the most inexpensive burial; by choosing cremation over burial, families can save $9000-$14,600. The biggest reason why cremation is considerably less expensive than burial is, is due to cremation using far less natural resources than burial does; burial uses a wood casket, while cremation uses a cardboard casket; burial takes up land, while cremation does not; burial requires preserving the body, cremation does not. The cost of burial is much higher in States with a high population than in States with a lower population, due to limited burial space in high population States.

Cost of a cremation niche

A cremation niche is somewhat similar to a mausoleum; a cremation niche is a hole in a mausoleum type structure where an urn full of cremated ashes are kept. According to cremation.com, the cost of a cremation niche is around $750 to $3000, depending on things such as the size of the niche, what the cremation niche is made of, handling fees, legal fees, and engraving fees. Cremation niches have become popular in the United States due to them being considerably less expensive than a burial plot is. A cremation niche is more expensive in high population States than in lower population States due to limit room.

How much does it cost for cremation in California?

California is one of the most expensive States for cremation. In California, the average cost of a cremation from a crematory is around $700 and the average cost of a cremation from a funeral home is around $5,000 or more. With the larger population and more burial sites being used, the prices in California are fairly expensive compared to the rest of the American States. Cremations in California are less expensive than cremations in Texas are, yet more expensive than cremation in Florida is.

How much does it cost for cremation in Florida?

The cost of a cremation in Florida  is average compared to the other States. The average cost of a cremation in Florida from a crematory is around $550, while the average cost of a cremation from a funeral home in Florida is around $3000-$4000. Florida is one of the few States that offers free cremations to all those who allow their bodies to be used for science. Cremations in Florida are less expensive than cremations in Texas and California are.

How much does it cost for cremation in Texas?

The cost of a cremation in Texas is more expensive than the majority of other States. The average cost for cremation in Texas from a crematory is around $750, while the average cost of a cremation in Texas from a funeral home is around $6000. Cremations in Texas are so expensive due to their large population, limited grave space, and due to a Texas law that states bodies must be stored 48 hours before cremation, which means storage costs for the family of the deceased. Cremations in Texas are more expensive than cremations in Florida and California are. More information can be found here.

Cost of cremation versus alternative options

Nowadays, cremation and burial are not the only body disposal option. Lifegem, takes the cremated ashes of the deceased and turns it into a diamond or diamond jewellery; the cost of Lifegem ranges from $3000-$20,000, depending on the quality of diamond being made from the ashes. Another burial option is a “Be a Tree” burial; the deceased ashes are put in a biodegradable container with a tree seed or tree sapling. The “Be a Tree’ burial costs $1000-$5000. With both “Lifegem” and “Be a Tree”, the cost of cremation is not included in the cost. Both options are more expensive than just a basic cremation and urn are, but may be cheaper than paying for a cremation and cremation niche or a traditional burial.