5 Expenses You Skip With Cremation Versus Burial
More and more Americans are choosing cremation instead of burial — both for themselves and for their loved ones. Although there are many reasons to opt for cremation, one of the most important may be cost savings. What sort of expenses can you forgo with cremation? Here are a few of the most valuable.
1. Long-Distance Transportation
If you or your loved one passes away far from home, transporting the remains can be complicated — and expensive. You'll need to work with both a local funeral home and one where the deceased is. Plane or train travel for a body is a serious undertaking, especially if that travel is international. However, transporting ashes is much simpler.
2. Embalming and Preparation
Making a body presentable for funeral services is an involved process. Embalming to preserve its appearance for a viewing or open casket service adds to the bill. Funeral home staff must handle and present the remains several times, all of which take labor and other expenses.
3. Burial Plots
While family burial plots used to be fairly common, many families don't have this expense in hand for future members. Depending on your burial wishes, this can cost hundreds of dollars or even thousands. Family members of those who are cremated may still choose cemetery placement on a smaller scale, but they have many other — free and low-cost — options as well.
4. Open Casket Services
When there is a body present, family members sometimes feel that they can only get closure with an open-casket funeral. While this is understandable, it also means you can add an average of $500 to $1,000 per viewing session. There may be additional opening and closing fees related to the presentation of the deceased.
5. Short-Term Transportation
Transporting an urn with cremated ashes is much simpler than transporting a body. Even local transportation of intact remains requires a special vehicle, known as a hearse. Depending on your plans and the location of both death and burial, you may need a hearse several times. Some cities require permits for funeral processions as well. As mentioned, ashes can be transported respectfully in just about any manner.
Where to Learn More
While budgeting isn't the only reason to choose cremation or burial, it is a necessary fact of life for most Americans. Find out whether cremation could help you use your own or your loved one's funds as wisely as possible. How? Meet with an experienced local funeral home today and ask them about their cremation services.
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