It may surprise you to learn that nearly half of all Americans are now cremated upon death. The simple process that turns the body to ashes saves time, money, and land compared to traditional burial. With that said, most folks have no idea how cremation services are handled. Here are answers to a few of the most pressing questions you might have. Is A Casket Required? Not unless your family requests funeral services where the body will be displayed before it is cremated. In this instance, you would have to rent a casket from the funeral home for the viewing. In all other instances, the crematorium will simply transfer the remains to a container for transport. How About A Funeral Director? It depends. In some states, only a licensed funeral director can oversee the cremation process. However, in others, even a private citizen can arrange for a body to be cremated and disposed if he or she obtains the necessary death certificate. Must I Purchase An Urn? A nice urn can cost anywhere from a couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars. For those who cannot afford or do not need a pricey receptacle because they intend to scatter the ashes, there are more economical options. In fact, most crematoriums are now required to provide a cardboard or plastic container for free. While certainly nothing fancy, these receptacles are perfectly adequate for shipping, storing, or burial. What Is Direct Cremation? If you do not want a funeral or memorial service where the body will be displayed, direct cremation is the most affordable, expeditious option. Because the body is simply cremated without embalming, viewing, or visitation, all of the costs associated with those services are eliminated. All you have to pay for is the transport of the body to the funeral home or crematorium and the basic service fee. In most cases, there is little to no difference in price whether you have this service completed at a home or a crematorium. How Much Does It Cost? As we mentioned at the outset, having a body cremated is far more affordable than having it buried. The no-frills direct option usually costs between $700 and $1,200, depending on the region of the country. As you might expect, adding funeral services and renting a casket can increase total costs by a couple thousand dollars. What About The Remains? Loved ones have a wide range of options when it comes to cremains. Because they pose no possible health hazard, disposing of ashes is not regulated by law. They can be safely scattered on land or sea or interred in the earth. Some families choose to keep them in a columbarium niche or in an urn on a mantelpiece at home. Still others divide them among family members so that each may decide what to do with them. The hottest trend in the funeral industry, cremation is faster, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly than traditional burial. When interested in cremation, Mt. Laurel, NJ residents turn to Bradley Funeral Home. Learn more about our services at http://bradleyfhmarlton.com.
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