The cremation rate in the U.S. has reached almost 60% as more families choose cremation as an alternative to a traditional burial service. Many funeral service providers are reporting much higher cremation rates. Some funeral homes now report 70-80% of their funeral cases involve cremation.
It is even more interesting to realize that there is a demand for simple, affordable, and ‘no fuss’ cremation. More families are choosing the cremation option of a ‘direct cremation.’
A direct cremation is without ceremony or funeral services. Once all the required legal paperwork and permits are completed, the deceased is collected from the place of death and directly cremated.
Direct cremation is the funeral industry term for a direct disposition with no services. It is also called a simple cremation, clinical cremation, or direct disposition.
Why is direct cremation proving so popular?
Many of the funeral service providers in the DFS Memorials network report that around 80% of their cremation cases are direct cremation cases. So, why is direct cremation proving such a popular option for families today?
There are two significant reasons why direct cremation is becoming popular.
- Affordability
- Flexibility
Let’s look at how direct cremation changes how families can arrange a funeral.
Direct cremation makes funeral services affordable!
Although many funeral homes do not want to acknowledge it, more and more families simply cannot afford the cost of a full traditional funeral today.
A traditional funeral costs around $7,000 plus cemetery costs, meaning that, in total, funeral expenses can amount to around $10,000. This is on the conservative side of the full cost of a traditional funeral.
The reality is that many families are struggling just to make ends meet today. If the deceased had not made any financial provision or pre-need funeral plan, the next of kin may not be able to afford the funeral expense immediately.
Cremation has made death care more affordable. In general terms, a cremation will reduce the cost of funeral expenses by at least 30%, if not more.
Direct cremation offers the most affordable funeral option. Due to the limited services the funeral director delivers, a direct cremation package will normally cost under $1,000. In many cities in the U.S., as direct cremation gains popularity, a direct cremation package can be purchased for between $600 – $995.
This makes direct cremation a much more affordable option for families concerned about the money they will spend on a funeral.
DFS Memorials is a network of local funeral homes offering an inexpensive direct cremation package.
Arrange memorial services at a time and place that suits the family
Direct cremation offers greater flexibility in making funeral memorial arrangements. There is no need to rush to make funeral service arrangements and for family and friends to try and attend a funeral on short notice.
Instead, cremation can be conducted, and the cremated remains can be returned to the family. Who can then decide when and how to arrange a memorial service.
Many families conduct their own memorial services at places more relevant to the deceased than the local funeral chapel.
Cremation also offers greater flexibility in memorialization options regarding memorial artifacts that can be made from cremated remains.
Instead of interring remains in a cemetery plot, a memorial can be made that you can keep with you wherever you are.
Memorial diamonds, glass goblets or paperweights, jewelry, birdbaths, wind-chimes, portraits…..the list of what you can do with cremated remains to memorialize is growing every day as cremation becomes more popular.
So, if you are considering your funeral plans and have decided upon a simple cremation, then a direct cremation plan may be the way to go!
For more information, check out our Ultimate Guide to Cremation or visit our Cremation section in our Funeral Resources.
Contact your nearest DFS Memorials cremation provider to find out more today.
