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Posted on March 21, 2023 by jhcadm

Direct Cremation Funeral Services: The Differences and Benefits

When a family member has passed away, it can be difficult to know what your options are for your loved one. One option is direct cremation, which involves no embalming or memorial services. Direct cremation can be an attractive option for families who want to avoid the cost of embalming and other traditional funeral services but still want their loved one’s remains to be handled respectfully.

What Is Direct Cremation?

Direct cremation is an affordable option for those who want to keep things low-key and simple. It doesn’t include any kind of funeral service or memorial, but it does ensure that your loved one’s ashes are cremated and returned to you.

Direct Cremation Involves the Following Steps:

  • Contacting the funeral home and signing the release form to bring your loved one into our facility
  • Your loved one is brought into one of our two locations, and we will contact the family to set up a day and time to make arrangements
  • The friendly staff at James H. Cole Home for Funerals will work with you and your family to make arrangements for the cremation and answer any questions you may have
  • Your loved one will be cremated, and their ashes will be returned to you
    • The remains can be placed in our selection of urns, and or jewelry

 

Why Is Direct Cremation Becoming More Popular?

Direct cremation is becoming more popular for several reasons.

  1. It’s a fast and efficient way to handle the remains of a loved one.
  2. Direct cremation is often more affordable than traditional funerals.
  3. Families who choose this option can make their own decisions about how they want their loved one’s remains-and they don’t have to worry about any additional costs associated with embalming or other services that may not be necessary (or wanted) in some cases.
  4. With direct cremations you can choose to have a gathering with family and friends anywhere: at home or a favorite location; indoors or outdoors; in private, with family members only.

How Does a Direct Cremation Work, and What Are the Costs?

The process of cremation is a fairly simple process that usually only takes a few hours. Once the body arrives at the crematory, the remains are placed in an oven (or retort) and burned at high heat until all that’s remaining is bone fragments. Those bone fragments are then pulverized and made into cremated remains (ashes). The cremated remains are then placed in an urn or temporary receptacle and returned to your family.

This type of service is one of, if not the most cost-efficient methods of disposition, and is typically less than $2,500. Additional associated costs can vary such as purchasing an Urn, cremation stones, or other cremation keepsakes.

Let Us Help Guide You Through the Process

Direct cremation is an option for families who want to avoid the expense of a funeral service. It can be a good choice if you don’t want a traditional service or burial plot, but it’s important to keep in mind that you can still have a viewing and/or traditional service with cremation as the final disposition. The process and procedures can often be misunderstood, so it’s important to ask questions and understand all of the details before deciding whether this type of arrangement is right for you or your loved one.

At James H. Cole Home for Funerals, we are here for you and have been helping families for over 100 years. Our funeral directors and staff can help guide you through the direct cremation process and decisions.

Posted in Funeral Industry, General Topics