The average cost of a funeral with casket burial costs $11,000. We will start with that figure and see what kind of savings we can discover to reduce the amount spent by using direct cremation services instead.

What is a Direct Cremation?

Let's start with the first question that usually comes up: “How much does it cost to be cremated?”

The answer is that the average cost in America for a simple cremation is roughly $1,100. For a low-cost cheap cremation, which is offered in some areas, the price of cremation can be as low as $900. The cremation prices vary depending on whether you live in a big city or if you live in a rural area.

To find the cost of cremation in the area where you live, you can answer the question: “How do I find cremation services near me?” by visiting SimpleCremationUSA.com - www.simplecremationusa.com/locations and selecting the appropriate State. Then you will be shown local cremation options near you. This is how to easily find the answer the question, “Is there a crematorium near me?”

Direct Cremation Cost Versus Funeral Costs

The difference between the cost of a direct cremation that is a simple elegant process and a funeral that includes a traditional casket burial can be as much as $10,000 or more.

The reason is that there are many costs included in a traditional funeral that are not necessary when you choose a direct cremation. Consider that funeral costs include the expense of the services performed by the funeral home, the services of a funeral director, and the staff involved. There is an additional cost required to embalm the body. Add in the cost of a casket, which can range between relatively simple to ornate and expensive woods and metal trimmings. The cost of putting the body on display for viewing. Additionally, transportation is required to take the casket to the church (if desired) via a hearse and then to the gravesite for burial. And more costs are incurred at the cemetery, where the cost of the burial plot, digging the grave, and marking the grave with a headstone must be factored in.

Breakdown of the average savings when you choose to arrange a direct cremation:

• Deduct cost of funeral director and staff - saves $1,500.
• Deduct cost of embalming of the body - saves $600.
• Deduct cost of a casket - saves $2,000.
• Deduct cost ofr viewing - saves $1,000.
• Deduct cost of hearse transportation - saves $400.
• Deduct cost of grave digging - saves $1,000.
• Deduct cost of burial plot - saves $2,500.
• Deduct cost of headstone - saves $1,000.

That total is a potential savings of over $10,000 by using direct cremation. Please notice that we did not include the cost of a memorial or religious funeral ceremony because those can be used for either full-casket funerals or cremations.

More Advantages of Using Cremation Services

Besides the enormous amount of savings, there is the added convenience of deciding on the date of the memorial services, which is more convenient for those who wish to attend. Perhaps, it is better for those persons if there is less need to travel a long distance, such as choosing to have a memorial service closer to where most of the family members are currently living. Also, the cremains can be distributed in a favorite location of the deceased person, which is a very touching way to remember the good times of their life. These are some of the reasons why more American are choosing direct cremation.