Houses and automobiles are the biggest one-time purchases most consumers make, but funerals are often No. 3. That’s why, during these economic hard times, cremation is gaining in popularity.
A typical funeral costs roughly $7,300, without cemetery plot and gravestone, while the typical cremation with memorial service and urn costs about $1,700.
Of course, dollars alone won’t dictate what arrangements you make for yourself or a loved one. But cost has become the No. 1 reason for choosing cremation, according to a five-year study by Wirthlin Worldwide. In 1985, 15 percent of the deceased were cremated. Today, it’s about 36 percent.
“People are simply choosing cremation because it is a significantly lower-cost alternative,” said John W. Ross, Cremation Association of North America executive director.
Question: Can I still have a traditional viewing and funeral?
Answer: Yes. In fact, a memorial is advisable to help with the grieving process, Ross said. You can also have an open-casket viewing, which involves renting a casket. That might cost $400 to $900.
Q: Is an urn expensive?
A: It can be. Typical cost is about $300, but the range is from less than $100 to thousands. By contrast, a typical casket would cost $2,255, according to the National Funeral Directors Association. Keep in mind, a bigger person will need a bigger urn. Most any container, piece of pottery or even a cookie jar will do.
Q: Why is cremation cheaper?
A: Besides the casket, transporting the body is expensive. Recovering and returning a body can be complex and costly, especially across hundreds or thousands of miles. However, cremated remains weigh 5 to 7 pounds and can be carried on a commercial airline.
Transportation to and from a memorial service also is less expensive. There’s no need to rent a hearse, for example.
Q: Does cremation eliminate embalming costs?
A: It can, especially if the cremation is within three or four days of death. The average cost of embalming is $550, says the funeral directors association.
Q: Is there a stigma associated with cremation?
A: General attitudes are changing. In fact, many religions that once frowned on cremation have relaxed constraints, including Roman Catholics.
Q: Are there other potential costs?
A: Yes. Cremating an obese person is more expensive, Ross said.
Q: Is there an environmental reason for cremation?
A: Actually, yes. Cremating a body requires a lot of energy, but it’s a one-time thing. It doesn’t have the environmental effects involved with making and transporting the casket, nor cemetery maintenance, such as fuel for grass mowing, regular watering and use of chemical pesticides and herbicides.
Q: How do I choose a funeral home or crematory?
A: Family tradition, word of mouth and referrals from friends and clergy are good ways. If you’ll deal with a crematory directly, you can search CremationAssociation.org.
Much of the headache of funeral arrangements can be avoided by simply making your wishes known to loved ones. Put your funeral preferences in writing. This does not mean prepaying, an idea many financial experts advise against. See funerals.org.
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