cremation-specialists-of-florida

How Direct Cremation Can be Customized for Families

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 15:33:32 GMT

Direct cremation’s rapid rise in popularity is due, in part, to the value and flexibility it offers families. It’s easy to arrange and much more affordable than a traditional funeral service and burial. As such, it’s no surprise that more and more disposition service providers are also providing direct cremation.

Direct cremation’s flexibility extends to its customizability. Families can add additional goods or services to their direct cremation, so there is room to personalize the process. In this way, every family can celebrate their loved one and ensure their final wishes are carried out.

What Does the Base Direct Cremation Package Include?

The primary difference between direct cremation and a traditional cremation service is the memorial service that accompanies traditional cremation. Direct cremation does not include a funeral, viewing, burial or memorial – and this is what minimizes the cost of disposition.

The following goods and services are the mandated minimum of what’s included:

Retrieval of the decedent’s remains – When a death occurs, the first step in the direct cremation process is recovering the decedent. Direct cremation companies are licensed “direct disposers,” which means they have the training and resources to properly recover human remains in an appropriate, respectable and safe fashion.
Transportation – Once the decedent is recovered, the remains are transported to the morgue for safekeeping prior to cremation. Once cremation has been approved, the remains are then transported to the crematory for disposition.
Refrigeration – There is a waiting period for cremation – up to a week in some cases. During this period, the remains are kept in refrigeration. Since refrigeration is used to preserve the body in the interim, embalming is not required. This is another way direct cremation services minimize cost for their clients.
Assistance with cremation approval – Cremation is approved only after the required forms are filled out and sent to the proper authorities. The state, for example, must check off on cremation before disposition may take place. A direct cremation company can help their client acquire these forms and ensure they are completely correct.
Crematory services – The direct cremation package also includes the fee for crematory services. The body is taken to the crematory, placed in the cremation chamber and reduced to ash. An identifying metal disc is kept with the decedent during this time and recovered following cremation so that the cremains are given to the right family.
A container for the body and for the ashes – During cremation, the body is kept in an alternative container. In most cases, this is a cardboard box. Following cremation, the cremains are placed in another alternative container for safekeeping.

The above is considered the minimum for direct cremation and is required by state law. However, families may add to their direct cremation package, which can help with personalizing a memorial for the deceased.

What Customization Options are Available with Direct Cremation Services?

Direct cremation services can be customized in a number of ways. For an additional cost, the following items and services are available:

Caskets – Direct cremation services allow families to switch out the traditional box for a cremation casket made from wood. There are numerous styles to choose from, and the casket may be cremated with the decedent.
Urns – Urns are used to hold the cremains following cremation, and they’re available in an impressive array of designs and colors. Some are ornamental, some are understated, some are designed to be buried or stored. Some even grow a tree if buried, and some can be safely dropped in the water.
Expedited and rush cremation – Death often occurs suddenly, so direct cremation services are often needed suddenly. With expedited and rush cremation options, families can arrange to have their loved one’s cremation take place immediately following state approval.
Cremains storage and delivery – The direct cremation company can hold onto the cremains until the family can pick them up or have them delivered within a certain distance of the direct cremator’s facilities.
Cremains shipping – If loved ones live far away, the decedent’s ashes can be packaged and mailed to anywhere in the lower 48 states.
Dividing the ashes – The ashes can also be divided into multiple containers and shipped separately to multiple households.

With these options, families can arrange the direct cremation process to their liking and celebrate their loved one how and when they wish.

Three Ways Customization Can Help With Disposition Arrangements

The baseline package for direct cremation offers everything a family needs for a proper disposition. However, every family memorializes death and celebrates life differently. And with a range of customization options, direct cremation can support every family’s choice. Here are three ways that direct cremation’s customizability can do that:

The cremains can be sent to any place in the lower U.S. – It’s common for modern families to be divided by state lines. With direct cremation, though, people can receive their loved one’s ashes wherever they live. And those ashes can be sent to multiple families, so everyone can memorialize in their own way. Further, there’s no need to round everyone up in a funeral home that may be thousands of miles away.
There is no rush to put together memorial or funeral services – Direct cremation does not include a time-sensitive ceremony. Loved ones can take weeks or even months to put together a celebration for family and friends. And with time comes distance from grief, so family and friends can celebrate instead of mourn when the time comes.
The ashes can be placed in the perfect urn – Some families prefer an urn that reflects the kind of person their loved one was in life. Whether it’s a favorite color, design, or image, the right urn can evoke happy memories of a beloved family member.

Get the Disposition Details Right by Customizing a Direct Cremation Package

Direct cremation allows families to put together their disposition plans with care. There’s no rush and no need to quickly arrange something just for the sake of a ceremony. And with plenty of customization options to choose from, families can invest only what they want into direct cremation, while keeping their plans open for a future memorial.

How to Ensure Your Final Wishes are Carried Out

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 15:45:31 GMT

Cremation Preplanning: How to Ensure Your Final Wishes are Carried Out

You likely have at least some idea of what your final arrangements look like. If you’ve decided that cremation is the right choice for you – you’ve got company. Cremation is now the number one disposition choice for Americans. But just because you’ve chosen cremation doesn’t guarantee that those wishes will be carried out. Many families never have the disposition conversation before a loved one passes, leaving surviving family members to guess at what the decedent wanted.

To ensure that doesn’t happen to you – and to relieve your loved ones of making these tough decisions after you’ve passed – there are several steps you can take. We’ve detailed them here, so you can rest assured that your final arrangements are taken care of.

Detail Your Desired Final Arrangements, and Not Just in Your Will

The most common recommendation is to make your cremation preferences clear in your will. That’s a good idea, and it’s a good idea to talk to an estate planning attorney to ensure your will is properly written out.

However, we recommend you also detail your cremation preferences in a separate document that can be easily accessed once death occurs. Why?

Wills are typically read after any disposition services have been rendered. Many include sensitive information that’s kept private until death. They may be stored in a safe or a deposit box that loved ones can’t easily access.

By the time your loved ones recover your will, there’s a real chance that it will be too late to act on your preferences. You may already be buried by the time your family realizes you wanted to be cremated, and it will be too late then to change the decision.

That’s why we recommend a second document that includes your final wishes. This document should be quick to access, and your family members should know where it is. If your loved ones know that you prefer cremation, they aren’t likely to choose an alternative.

Look into Creating an Advance Directive Should You Become Incapacitated

It’s common for people to put off the disposition conversation, assuming they’ll have time down the road to address it. However, as we all know, accidents happen and health can fail suddenly, often leaving people unable to make their own decisions.

This is where an advance directive can be extremely valuable. An advance directive informs family members and doctors what to do should you become medically incapacitated. Include your final wishes in this document, too, and family members will be aware of them should you lose the ability to communicate them directly.

Pick a Trusted Person to Grant Durable Power of Attorney To

Before you’re gone, pick a person you trust to act as your power of attorney. Designate this person in your will and make sure they know it. Whoever is granted power of attorney will have the ability to make decisions in your place – including any decision regarding your final disposition. This person will also be able to make financial and medical decisions in your stead, so it should be someone you trust entirely.

Empowering a loved one in this way will ensure you have a living representative after you pass.

Communicate Your Wishes to Your Loved Ones

It isn’t easy to talk to loved ones about your final wishes, but it’s a conversation worth having. The more people who know about your disposition plans, the more likely it is that they will be carried out. In particular, inform your spouse and any adult children, as they are the ones who’ll need to make most of the tough disposition decisions.

Communicating your preferences doesn’t guarantee that they will be respected once you’ve passed, but most people are uncomfortable violating a deceased loved one’s final wishes. It’s a moral quandary that most would rather avoid, particularly while they are in a state of grief.

This conversation can be quick and stress-free, especially if you’ve already drawn up a will or other document that includes what you want. Letting your family members know about this document can even provide peace of mind. And if you want to provide total peace of mind to loved ones, funding cremation services ahead of time is recommended.

Consider Funding Your Cremation Arrangements Ahead of Time

With the cost of traditional funeral services skyrocketing, it’s common for a funeral home to offer prepaid funeral arrangements for their clients.

Many cremation services also allow people to preplan and pre-fund their final disposition ahead of time. Again, it’s recommended that you inform

loved ones about your preplanned arrangements. By preplanning , not only are you relieving your family of any financial burden – you’re also increasing the likelihood that your cremation wishes will be carried out.

Think of it this way. If your loved ones have to decide between free (to them) cremation services, or other services that will cost them a lot of money, the decision is often an easy one.

Consider Funding Your Cremation Arrangements Ahead of Time

Just thinking about death produces anxiety in a lot of people, but if you’ve made peace with your cremation decision, your loved ones should be able to as well. Don’t be afraid to communicate what you want to family members directly, through documentation, and with the available legal tools.

By doing so, you and your loved ones can make a difficult time a little less difficult.

How Long Does Direct Cremation Take?

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 15:33:52 GMT

Clearly, time matters where disposition is concerned. Ideally, it’s carried out within days, and this is the timeline that traditional funerals have stuck with. Carrying out disposition quickly minimizes the effects of decomposition and helps families resolve their grief without delay.

The same timeline applies to direct cremation. In most cases, disposition through direct cremation can be handled within a week of death occurring. And most of this time is spent awaiting approval from the state, which is something the direct cremation company handles directly.

Here, we’ll break down the direct cremation process and how it progresses.

The Disposition Timeline

When a death occurs and the direct cremation service is notified, they’ll immediately send a recovery team to the place of death to retrieve the body. The recovery crew will only remove the body if death is officially declared by a physician. Once this is done, the recovery team will transport the body to the morgue.

From here, the body is kept refrigerated in the morgue until cremation is approved by the state. In the majority of cases this is within a week of the body being recovered. If additional time is needed, the remains may be kept in refrigeration for longer.

During this time, the direct cremation service will manage the approval process, helping loved ones fill out all necessary cremation forms and remaining in communication with the state. Again, this is what dictates the process’s timeline. During this step, direct cremation services can attain additional death certificates and provide them to the family.

Once approval is granted by the state, the remains are taken to the crematory and disposition takes place immediately. The direct cremation team remains at the crematory during disposition to retrieve the cremains and put them in a container.

What Happens Once the Cremains are Recovered?

As soon as the body is recovered, it’s tagged with a metal disc that identifies the decedent and remains with them throughout the process. It also survives the intense heat involved with cremation. This allows the direct cremation company to properly identify the ashes and ensure they are returned to the right family.

At this point, it’s up to the family how the cremains are received. They can be picked up at the service provider’s office, delivered (within a certain distance of the company’s office) or packaged and mailed.

Direct cremation’s exact timeline will depend on which option family members choose. It will take a bit longer to mail the cremains, compared to delivering or picking them up. The final timeline, then, is around a week (or a bit less) from death to disposition, plus the time it takes to deliver or mail the cremains.

What About a Memorial Service?

Memorial services are a standard part of traditional funerals, but they aren’t included with direct cremation. There are several reasons for this, including:

Reducing cost – This is the primary reason why direct cremation companies cut the memorial service out for their clients. A traditional funeral requires the use of a funeral home and its staff. For traditional disposition, these costs represent the bulk of traditional funeral expenses. By removing them, direct cremation companies can save their clients thousands of dollars.
Simplifying disposition – Without a memorial service to plan around, disposition can proceed quickly and without difficulty. This is extremely important when the decedent is located far away from the rest of their family. By keeping disposition simple, direct cremation services can manage the process without family members having to be physically present. This isn’t the case for traditional funerals, which require family members to be present while arrangements are determined.
Giving families additional flexibility – Every family responds to death in their own way, and every family has their own idea of how to memorialize a lost loved one. Direct cremation doesn’t confine families to a small set of memorial options to choose from, with most of the options being solemn and not individualized. Instead, families can choose to celebrate their loved one how they see fit, which can be both less expensive and more meaningful.
Minimizing the disposition timeline – There’s no reason to delay disposition if it doesn’t have to be, and that includes moving through cremation as quickly as the state allows. This is easier to manage if there isn’t a memorial service to accommodate. For many families, it’s difficult to get closure and resolve grief until cremation is done. As soon as the decedent’s cremains are returned, that’s when healing begins for many people.

Direct Cremation is Designed to Be Quick and Easy for Families to Manage

Direct cremation services have been developed in response to what people want from disposition, and what families want is a less expensive, more expedient choice. The process can typically be carried out within a week or less, allowing families to quickly pivot from disposition logistics to privately grieving together.

Direct Cremation: Disposition for the Modern Age

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 15:10:45 GMT

Direct cremation , like traditional cremation before it, is quickly rising in popularity. The rate at which families are adopting the practice suggests that this trend is here to stay. In this way, you can think of direct cremation as the modern disposition choice for families.

Spiking funeral and burial costs, long distances between loved ones, and little time to handle disposition arrangements are just some of the issues people are facing. These families are looking for disposition alternatives that can fit into those circumstances. And for many, direct cremation is the alternative they’re looking for.

What makes direct cremation a good fit for the modern age? Cost , privacy, convenience, and personalization are some of the major benefits. Here’s a closer look at each of these benefits:

Cost: Direct Cremation is Affordable Even When Finances are Stressed

The cost of everything is up these days, but funeral services and the goods associated with them (caskets) are rising in cost much faster than the average consumer good. Between 1987 and 2017, typical consumer goods increased 123.4 percent. However, funeral costs increased by a whopping 227.1 percent. Burial caskets have gone up even more, with a 230 percent increase during that 30-year period.

The average cost for a traditional funeral and burial service is about $8,000 in the U.S., and Florida comes close to this national average. The bulk of those costs are associated with funeral home rental, funeral home staff and the burial casket.

Direct cremation services are much less expensive. A funeral home isn’t required for direct cremation, nor is a burial casket. Transportation, refrigeration, a crematory fee, and basic service fees are the only expenses involved. As such, the average cost of direct cremation is about $1,700 in Florida, and many direct cremation companies offer service packages that cost less than that.

For budget-stressed families, $8,000 is a big price to pay for disposition. Direct cremation is a realistic alternative that also offers full-service disposition.

Privacy: Direct Cremation is an Alternative to a Large Funeral

Traditionally, funerals have been open events where many people are invited to the ceremony. While this is still an option, many families prefer to keep their chosen memorial service as private as possible. On a day when emotions may be raw and grief may be crushing, the last thing many of us want to do is meet and entertain people who may only have a tenuous connection to the deceased.

Increasingly, families want their disposition services to allow for private grieving. Direct cremation makes it simple for people to arrange that. Direct cremation does not involve a funeral or memorial service, so there is no event to invite people to. The cremation process can be carried out without anyone in attendance, but loved ones may be present if they wish.

Once the cremains are returned to the family, they may organize memorial services however they prefer. That includes a private memorial, for families that want it.

Convenience: Direct Cremation is Quick and Simple to Plan, Regardless of Location

Today’s families are often separated by thousands of miles, which makes planning funeral arrangements a stressful challenge. Further, modern people are constantly pressed for time – another impediment to putting together funeral arrangements. Death doesn’t wait, though, which means that funeral planning stress is impossible to avoid with a traditional service. Traditional cremations pose the same difficulties.

Direct cremation doesn’t require a funeral home and timelines are much more relaxed. As soon as death occurs, the direct cremation company sends a trained team to recover the decedent and transport them to the morgue for refrigeration. During this time, the direct cremator attains approval from the state for disposition and helps their client attain any forms they need for the process. Once approval is granted, the remains are taken to the crematory, where the direct cremator oversees the process and recovers the cremains.

All of this can be done without family members present. Direct cremation can therefore be planned and carried out even if the family lives on the other side of the country. Additionally, following disposition, family members can have the cremains divided into multiple packages and mailed.

For families living all over the U.S., direct cremation offers an easy-to-manage disposition solution.

Personalization: Direct Cremation Gives Families Complete Control Over the Memorial Service

How many times have you heard someone say that they don’t want their funeral to be sad? Most of us would rather be celebrated than grieved over, and direct cremation gives families ultimate flexibility in how they plan their memorials. It can be as simple as a lunch between close friends or as grand as a proper family reunion. The point is that families can choose to celebrate their loved one how they prefer and do it on a schedule that works for everyone. A popular approach is to organize a memorial on the anniversary of the decedent’s passing. This gives the family time to grieve and recover, so they can fully embrace a celebratory memorial.

Obviously, it isn’t possible to do the same with a traditional funeral service .

Direct Cremation is the Modern Disposition Choice for U.S. and Florida Families

Direct cremation may seem like it was developed for modern society, and to an extent, it was. Direct cremation is still relatively new compared to traditional forms of disposition, so it’s a better fit for people dealing with the challenges of modern life – time, availability, location, and expense.

Direct Cremation: A Dignified Form of Disposition

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 15:09:31 GMT

n the U.S. and Europe, direct cremation is quickly replacing traditional forms of disposition. A major reason for this is cost. Direct cremation is about $6,000 less than traditional cremation – but that’s not the only reason. In fact, researchers in Europe have looked into the rise of direct cremation and the motivations behind it. And what they’re finding is that families consider direct cremation to be a dignified, more personal way to honor a loved one.

People Are Changing the Way They Think About Traditional Funerals

A 2022 study conducted and published by the University of Bath in England surveyed families for their “grief experience” following a loved one’s death. The goal was to identify if there were any differences between varying forms of disposition.

After surveying hundreds of families, the researchers concluded that a traditional funeral service did not improve the grief experience. It seems that people in the U.S. and Europe are considering alternatives, and direct cremation is a leading option for these families.

Initially, the researchers assumed that cost was the primary – and maybe only – driving factor behind the rise of direct cremation. But based on responses received during the survey, it’s clear that people preferred direct cremation for reasons beyond budgetary.

How the Direct Cremation Process Preserves a Loved One’s Dignity

Other reasons for direct cremation’s rise in popularity include preserving dignity and personalization. When comparing costs, it’s understandable why some families would assume that higher costs mean the decedent is treated with greater care.

However, direct cremation services offer the same professionalism and attention to care that funeral homes offer.

Here are four ways direct cremation preserves the decedent’s dignity and the family’s disposition wishes.

Direct Cremation is Carried Out By Licensed, Trained Professionals

Direct cremation services must be licensed through the state as “direct disposers.” To attain licensure, direct disposal teams must go through training and demonstrate their knowledge through examination. By the time a direct cremation team completes licensure, they know how to properly recover and handle a body for disposition purposes in a dignified manner.

These skilled professionals are the people responsible for traveling to the place of death and receiving the decedent. That means, from the very beginning, there are trained professionals overseeing the direct cremation process.

Direct Cremation Services Ensure the Right Cremains are Returned to the Family

A common concern among loved ones is receiving the right ashes from the crematory. However, direct cremation services have measures in place to ensure the right cremains are returned to the family.

Some companies, for instance, maintain a client database that tracks the deceased as they move through the process.

Another reliable safeguard is the use of an identifying metal disc with each decedent. When a body is recovered, the disc is attached to it and kept with the deceased from recovery to crematory. The disc includes identifying information and makes it simple for direct cremation services to keep track of each decedent.

During cremation, the intense heat involved reliably reduces the body to ash, but it leaves the metal disc unharmed. Following cremation, the ashes are recovered and placed in an urn or container. The metal disc is included to ensure it is delivered to the right family.

In this way, direct cremation services guarantee families receive their loved one’s cremains.

Direct Cremation Allows Families to Create a Personalized Memorial

Perhaps you’ve sat through funeral services and told yourself that this just isn’t for you. Many people do not find a solemn memorial service comforting and prefer something else. Direct cremation allows people and their loved ones to lead all memorial decisions.

Cremains are inert and safe, so they do not need to be handled with the same urgency as a body. As such, families can take all the time they need to plan out a proper celebration of life. It’s becoming increasingly common, for example, to do this well after the decedent has passed away. Some families choose to wait a few months, while others may choose to have a memorial on the first anniversary of their loved one’s passing.

By giving family and friends time to process their emotions, people can spend their time reminiscing fondly instead of managing their grief publicly. And there are many options for celebrating a life lost. Some popular options include hosting a dinner where the departed’s favorite foods are served, an intimate get together at a treasured spot, or even taking the urn on a road trip to scatter the ashes while family is gathered. Simple memorials like these can mean much more than a standard funeral.

Direct Cremation Also Allows Families to Grieve Privately

Based on survey responses, the study’s authors concluded that the public nature of traditional funerals is a major stressor. It’s not hard to imagine why. The last thing most people want to do when grieving is playing host.

Add in the fact that many of those funeral guests haven’t been in contact with the deceased for years, even decades. A funeral is difficult enough – meeting a bunch of new people during one is worse, and a stress that many families would rather not deal with.

Direct cremation makes it easy for families to avoid this stress. With direct cremation, there’s no formal funeral, so no public viewing or ceremony. Everything can be kept private, so loved ones can grieve without putting on a face for guests.

Direct and Dignified, Cremation Can Now Fit into Any Family’s Memorial Plans

With the rising popularity of cremation, additional cremation options have sprung up. Direct cremation is one such choice , and it’s a dignified one. That’s because direct cremation is handled professionally and allows families to memorialize their loved one as they see fit and on their own timeline.

There’s a time for tradition, but with the rising costs and stressful nature of traditional funerals, many are choosing a modern, dignified alternative – direct cremation.

What Is the Difference Between Direct Cremation and a Traditional Cremation?

Wed, 31 May 2023 18:18:05 GMT

Cremations are now the disposition standard for Americans, as a majority of people now consider cremation their primary option. But even among those interested in cremation, they may not know that there’s more than one way to handle the ceremony.

Specifically, there are traditional cremation services and direct cremation services. What’s the difference? That’s what we’ll address, along with why many families are considering direct cremation for their preferred cremation option.

What Does “Traditional” Mean When Referring to Traditional Cremation?

You may hear cremation services referred to as “traditional.” All this means is that there is a traditional funeral service before disposition is carried out.

If a funeral is involved, it will dictate how final arrangements are carried out. Here are a few important considerations when putting together a traditional cremation:

The ceremony will require a funeral home – Funerals must be carried out at a funeral home. That means arrangements must be made to locate and rent out the facility for the ceremony. If the remains are to be transported from one location to another, a second funeral home may be required at both endpoints.
Embalming and cosmetics will also be required – Embalming preserves the body so that a viewing can be included with the funeral prior to cremation. Additional cosmetic work may be required to prepare the body for a viewing.
A rental casket will be needed for the funeral – A rental casket is required to hold the body during the funeral. This casket may or may not be cremated with the body, depending on the family’s preference. If it is not cremated with the body, the remains are instead placed in an alternative container during cremation.
Funeral arrangements must be made quickly – Given the time-sensitive process involved, traditional funerals must be arranged and carried out quickly, typically within days of the decedent passing.

In this way, a traditional cremation is similar to a funeral and burial; only the body is cremated, and the ashes are returned to the family.

What Do Direct Cremation Services Include?

As an alternative to funeral and traditional cremation services, families may opt for a direct cremation instead. While there are more differences than similarities between the two, in the end, the family receives the cremated remains of their loved one once disposition is carried out.

Here’s what the direct cremation process looks like, from start to finish:

The direct cremation service is dispatched to the place of death – Once the direct cremator is notified of the decedent’s passing, a recovery team is sent to the place of death to retrieve the body and return it to the morgue. This is only done after death has been confirmed by a physician.
The remains are kept in refrigerated storage – The decedent is kept in refrigerated storage until cremation can proceed. This may take up to a week or more, but because the body is kept in refrigeration, it does not need to be embalmed.
The direct cremation service attains approval for disposition – The direct cremator will handle the approval process for the family, which involves notifying the state prior to cremation. If needed, the service provider can also help procure and fill out any forms needed for approval.
The body is transported to the crematory and cremated – Once approval is granted, the decedent is taken to the crematory for disposition. The family may be present during this time, but it’s not necessary. An identifying metal disc is kept with the body to ensure the right cremains are given to the family.
The cremains are returned to the family – Following cremation, the service provider will gather the cremains and place them in a container for the family. They can then be delivered, held for pickup, or delivered to any part of the lower United States.

Three Reasons Why Families Are Choosing Direct Cremation Over Other Cremation Services

At first glance, it may seem like direct cremation is just cremation without all the frills. The process only includes the minimum needed for cremation, though additional goods and services can be added into a basic direct cremation package.

For many families, direct cremation is the right decision for their loved one. Here’s three reasons why:

The cost of direct cremation is much lower – Compared to a traditional funeral and cremation, direct cremation services are far less expensive. A traditional cremation costs around $7,000 in Florida, for example. Direct cremation may cost less than $1,000, depending on what items or services are included, and where cremation takes place.

With its much lower cost, direct cremation relieves families of the considerable financial burden that accompanies a traditional funeral and disposition. None of us want to leave behind a burden on our loved ones, so many are choosing direct cremation to avoid it.

Direct cremation allows families to personalize a memorial – Many Americans do not want the solemn type of traditional funeral we’ve all grown accustomed to. Instead, they want something more individual, personalized, and celebratory. It can be difficult for families to find the energy for that immediately following death.

With direct cremation, there’s no need to rush a memorial. In fact, families can wait months, or even years, before holding a proper ceremony for their loved one.

Direct cremation is extremely easy to arrange – Because there’s no rush involved, direct cremation can be quickly arranged without additional stress. As anyone who has planned a funeral knows, there can be intense stress involved in notifying family members, contacting funeral homes and making decision after decision regarding the proper ceremony.

With direct cremation, these decisions can be given all the time they need to be made right.

Direct Cremation Is a Modern, Cost Efficient Approach to the Process

Funeral costs have been rising for years, to the point where a traditional cremation is out of reach for many families. For these families, direct cremation can be an ideal alternative. With its budget-friendly cost structure and simplicity, more families around the U.S. are embracing the direct cremation process.

Seven Things to Know About Direct Cremation

Tue, 30 May 2023 16:06:08 GMT

Although cremation is now America’s top choice in disposition, direct cremation is still a new concept to many. The actual cremation process is the same – the decedent’s remains are taken to a crematory and reduced to ashes through the use of intense heat.

Other than the disposition method itself, you may have questions about what direct cremation entails. Here, we’ve included the basics of direct cremation services, so you and your family will know what to expect when a death does occur.

1) The decedent isn’t taken directly to the crematory from the place of death

The term direct cremation often creates some confusion. Does “direct” mean straight from the place of death to the crematory?

No, direct cremation isn’t quite that direct. Before disposition can take place, the service provider must receive approval from the state. This is the lengthiest part of the process, as the state will not approve cremation unless an authorized person (a spouse or next of kin) authorizes it.

There is paperwork involved that the state must receive prior to approval, including a death certificate and cremation authorization form. Further, Florida statutes require a minimum waiting period of 48 hours before cremation can take place. This is in case the authorized person changes their mind. This all adds up to a slight delay between time of death and cremation.

In most cases, though, the above is resolved within a week. During this time, the direct cremation service provider will refrigerate the decedent’s remains. Embalming is not required.

2) Direct cremation is the least expensive form of disposition

Funerals, burials, and memorials are quickly increasing in cost – faster than almost all other consumer goods and services, in fact. According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the median cost of a funeral with burial was almost $8,000 in 2021. It was only slightly less (about $7,000) for a traditional memorial service with cremation.

Direct cremation is much less expensive, on average. Depending on the chosen goods and services, direct cremation may cost less than $1,000. And while cost is obviously not the only consideration in end-of-life arrangements, the money saved on a traditional service can be used in a future remembrance ceremony.

3) Direct cremation doesn’t include a memorial service or funeral service

How are direct cremation providers able to minimize costs for their clients? Mostly by offering only what’s needed for disposition. With direct cremation, you can expect the following:

A basic services package that includes an arrangement conference, assistance with cremation forms, and retrieval of the decedent’s remains.
Transportation from the place of death to the mortuary, and from the mortuary to the crematory.
Refrigeration, for several days before additional fees are accrued.
A container for the decedent during transport and cremation.
The crematory’s fee.

Note that a funeral, viewing, or memorial is not included with direct cremation. That means families do not need to work with a funeral home for direct cremation. They work only through the service provider.

For many families, a traditional funeral service isn’t what they prefer for their loved one. And it isn’t what many people prefer for themselves. By choosing direct cremation, you can honor your loved one however you choose, whenever you can.

4) Consumer protection regulations that apply to other forms of disposition also apply to direct cremation

Florida refers to direct cremation services as “direct disposers.” And in Florida, direct disposers are regulated with the same laws that govern other disposition providers.

For example, a direct cremation provider must be licensed before they can provide services, just like with funeral homes. Also, direct cremation services are required, as per the Funeral Rule, to provide a complete, transparent list of fees. Further, direct cremators must also allow clients to choose only what they need for disposition, without sales pressure.

5) There are a few government benefit programs that can help with direct cremation costs

The Social Security Administration (SSA), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may provide death benefits to help offset the costs of direct cremation.

The SSA benefit is a one-time payment of $255 – which is enough to cover a third of direct cremation costs. Most of the time, it’s paid out to the surviving spouse, but the decedent’s children may also apply for the benefit. An application to the SSA is required to attain it, and you’ll need to provide some identifying documentation with the application.

VA benefits also require an application (Form 21P-530), which may be submitted by a spouse, child, or parent. If the decedent died while on active duty, the benefit is up to $2,000 in reimbursed costs. If the decedent died while not on active duty, but in a VA facility or while receiving a VA pension, then the benefit is up to $300.

FEMA may also pay out benefits if the deceased died due to a natural disaster. The disaster must have been a declared national emergency, and a pile of paperwork is needed to access the benefit. This includes a death certificate, identifying documentation, proof of unpaid funeral costs and confirmation that death was due to the natural disaster.

6) A direct cremation service can deliver or ship the decedent’s cremains to any place in the continental U.S.

Direct cremation services may include delivery or shipping of the cremains. Delivery is typically available within a specified distance to the direct disposer’s facilities, though shipping may be available anywhere in the lower 48 states.

These services are typically add-ons and require an additional charge, but they allow families to receive their loved one’s cremated remains, no matter how far away.

7) Direct cremation services can be preplanned like other disposition options

Direct cremation services can be planned and funded within minutes, and you may be able to handle the process entirely online. Answer a few questions, provide some basic information and pre-pay so there’s no delay in service.

Preplanning your cremation removes financial and emotional stresses from your family and ensures your choice in disposition is carried out.

Direct Cremation Provides Families With a Low Cost, High Flexibility Disposition Option

Cremation has achieved widespread acceptance in the U.S. in just the last 10 years or so, and so direct cremation is still a new concept to many families. But hopefully you know a little more about it now, and why it’s worth considering for many.

Cremation Concerns? Answering the Tough Questions About Direct Cremation Services

Sat, 27 May 2023 02:19:35 GMT

Some of the toughest decisions in life are final disposition decisions – what we decide to do with our loved one’s remains after they have passed away. Cremation has made this decision easier, and more than half of Americans now prefer the cremation process over other final disposition options.

Among families who opt for cremation, many will work with a direct cremation service to carry out the process. Direct cremation is growing in popularity as a final disposition option, as it’s a low-cost, high-convenience way of arranging final arrangements following a death.

It’s understandable if you haven’t heard of direct cremation, and you probably have questions about the process. Here, we’ll provide answers to the most common cremation concerns that people have about direct cremation, so you can make an informed choice about final disposition.

If I Choose Direct Cremation Can We Still Have a Memorial Service?

Direct cremation gives families maximum flexibility in arranging memorial services. Although direct cremation doesn’t include a memorial service, there’s nothing preventing a family from putting together a memorial service after cremation has taken place.

Once you receive the decedent’s ashes, what you do with them is the family’s decision. If you opt for a memorial service, that can be arranged separate from direct cremation.

Many people decide to opt for a less formal way of honoring their loved one. Direct cremation services support this approach.

Are Direct Cremation Services Regulated Like Other Businesses in the Funeral Industry?

Direct cremation providers are held to the same regulations that other members of the funeral industry are. For one, direct cremators must be licensed before they can provide cremation services. Specifically, direct cremators must have a direct disposer license so they can properly handle human remains. Some attain additional licensing, but the direct disposer license is a must.

Like with funeral homes, direct cremators are required to provide transparent pricing to their clients. Direct cremators must inform families of their casket and urn options, and provide an itemized list of everything, along with their price.

These regulations are detailed in the FTC’s Funeral Rule. The Funeral Rule requires direct cremators (and funeral homes) to make it easy for families to purchase only the items they need for disposition, and to comparison shop for alternatives, if desired.

Are There Any Hidden Costs of Direct Cremation?

There are no hidden or additional costs of direct cremation – as required by the FTC Funeral Rule. The price you see prior to confirming your decision is the total price you’ll pay for cremation. If you require additional services – such as delivery or additional death certificates – these are listed on the final bill and not added in following cremation.

How Will My Loved One’s Body Be Handled Prior to Cremation?

As a licensed direct disposer, direct cremation services are qualified to handle human remains in a dignified, sanitary manner.

If you opt for direct cremation, your loved one’s remains will be recovered as soon as possible – usually within a few hours of notification of death.

Direct cremation services have multiple recovery teams on hand for this part of the process, so rest assured that the deceased will be quickly recovered and kept safe until cremation is approved by the state.

Approval is usually granted within 48 hours, and once provided, the decedent is immediately taken to the crematory for final disposition.

Can the Ashes Be Scattered After Direct Cremation?

Yes, once the cremation process is complete and the decedent’s ashes have been returned, they can be scattered in a place of your choosing. Before picking a place to scatter the ashes, verify that there are no state or local laws preventing you from doing so. For example, if you wish to scatter the ashes on private property, you’ll need to get permission from the property owner first.

There may be additional restrictions if you wish to scatter the ashes in popular spots like Walt Disney World Resort or Universal Studios. We’ve detailed these restrictions and Florida’s laws on scattering ashes here.

How do Direct Cremation Services Guarantee They Provide the Right Ashes?

One of the most persistent worries about cremation is whether the right ashes are returned to the family. Direct cremators have measures in place to ensure there are no mishaps in this area.

For example, we attach a metal disc to every decedent before they are moved into the cremation chamber. This disc has the decedent’s name and other identifying information on it, and it survives the heat of cremation. Once the process is complete, this disc is retrieved and used to verify that the right ashes are given to the right family. Some direct cremation services also maintain a computerized database to track decedents as they move through the cremation process.

What If My Loved One Passes Away in Florida While on Vacation?

Florida is a tourism hub, attracting millions of “snowbirds” looking to escape the cold every year. With millions of people taking an extended stay in Florida, it’s inevitable that some will pass away while on vacation here.

If this has happened to your loved one, we’ve detailed what to do here. The short answer is – direct cremation is the simplest, least costly way to perform disposition and return your loved one’s remains to the family.

Why? Transporting a body across state lines is burdensome. First, you may need to work with two (not one) funeral homes to prepare the body for transport and to receive the remains at the decedent’s home state. The body will also need to be refrigerated during transport or embalmed prior to transport. Both are expensive and transport itself can run thousands of dollars.

If the decedent specified cremation for their end-of-life arrangements (through a will or other binding document), then performing direct cremation and having the ashes shipped to the home state makes sense. Otherwise, you’re spending thousands of dollars just to move the body before cremation takes place in the home state.

Can I Plan Direct Cremation Services Ahead of Time?

Yes, like other final arrangements, direct cremation services can be preplanned and prefunded for maximum peace of mind. Arranging direct cremation takes minutes and saves your loved ones from having to make difficult disposition decisions when emotions are raw. Many of our clients find that preplanning cremation is a relief, to themselves and their families.

Hopefully, this information has cleared up your questions about direct cremation. While it’s never easy arranging a loved one’s final disposition, direct cremation services aim to make it as easy as possible.

Five Benefits of Direct Cremation

Wed, 24 May 2023 15:15:44 GMT

The way Americans view death-related ceremonies has changed. 50 years ago, less than 10 percent of people chose cremation for their disposition, and 10 years ago, funeral and burial services were still the most popular disposition option. In 2015, though, cremation became the number one disposition choice for Americans, and it’s only gaining in popularity.

Several types of cremation services have emerged as a result. Direct cremation is one such service and offers several peace-of-mind-related advantages that families could really use while going through the grieving process. We’ve listed them here to illustrate why direct cremation is gaining in popularity.

1) Direct Cremation Services are Simple and Quick to Arrange

Death often occurs suddenly, and therefore many families find themselves making funeral arrangements suddenly. This isn’t easy during the best of times, but throw in grief, stress, cost, and very tight deadlines – and it’s understandable why most families dread the process.

By contrast, direct cremation is extraordinarily easy to set up. In fact, you can do it all online, and either in advance or when death occurs. In both cases, you’ll need to provide some basic information about yourself and the deceased. You’ll also have the opportunity to add on extra goods or services, such as an ornamental urn or delivery of ashes.

If you only require direct cremation, you don’t have to work with a funeral home or anyone else to ensure disposition is performed. The direct cremation service takes care of everything, including:

Transport from place of death to the mortuary
Refrigeration
Death certificates and state approval for cremation
Transport from mortuary to crematory
Securing and storing ashes prior to delivery or pickup

You may be present during cremation if you prefer, but it’s possible to arrange for direct cremation even if you can’t be present – even if you’re on the other side of the globe.

2) Direct Cremation is the Most Affordable Option

The cost of a traditional funeral service (with burial) has increased rapidly over time. Since 1986, funeral expenses and the cost of burial caskets has increased by more than 250 percent. That’s according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s twice as much as the typical good or service in the same timeframe. In 2021, the average cost of a funeral with burial and viewing was $8,805.

Most families don’t have nearly $10,000 they can spend on disposition services. Most people don’t want to leave their loved ones with such a heavy financial burden. And even among cremation services, those with a memorial or viewing still cost several thousand dollars.

Direct cremation services are an answer to these rising funeral and memorial service expenses. On average, families spend about 80 percent less on direct cremation than they would on a traditional service and cremation. In some cases, it’s 90 percent less.

Cost is a factor for most of us, and direct cremation is a low-cost, but high-dignity option that many people choose for themselves.

3) A Direct Cremation Service Offers Flexibility to Families

While memorial services can be combined with direct cremation, it isn’t necessary. Death is sacred and personal, and families aren’t all expected to memorialize the same way.

Direct cremation fits into this idea better than any other disposition method. With direct cremation, families can take all the time they need to put together memorial arrangements, as long as a viewing isn’t required. In some cases, memorial services are scheduled up to several months following cremation.

With an extended timeline to work with, your family can honor a loved one exactly the way they wish, with personal touches that may not be available with a standard memorial service. For example, maybe your loved one has a favorite park they spent a lot of time at. Maybe they have a special connection to the home they grew up in, or a place they always wanted to travel and visit.

With direct cremation, you can hold onto your loved one’s ashes until the time is right, and then store, spread, or bury them. Whatever feels appropriate for your family and for the deceased.

4) Direct Cremation is a Regulated Process That Requires Licensing

Your loved one’s dignity is important no matter the disposition method. It’s natural for families to have questions regarding how their loved one will be handled.

Fortunately, families can rest easy knowing that their direct cremation provider is licensed to perform the job. In fact, direct cremation services are regulated with the same laws that govern the entire funeral industry. This includes providing family members with transparent pricing and allowing them to easily purchase only what’s needed for cremation.

Before direct cremation services can perform services, they must be licensed as a direct disposer. Licensing involves education and training in the proper, dignified handling of human remains. With a reputable direct cremation service, you’re working with a team licensed to do the job they offer.

5) Direct Cremation is the Environmentally Sustainable Disposition Choice

For some people, the decision to go with direct cremation has to do with environmental impact. Between embalming chemicals, chemically treated caskets, and diminishing cemetery space, there are several environmental issues associated with a traditional funeral and burial service.

These issues don’t exist with direct cremation. No embalming fluids are ever used, and while you can opt for a casket with direct cremation, it isn’t necessary. The resulting cremains are nontoxic and can be spread without fear of causing any form of environmental harm.

In life, those who considered the environment in their decision making usually want that focus reflected in their disposition. Direct cremation aligns better with a green lifestyle than any other form of disposition.

Direct Cremation is Well-Suited for all Kinds of Families, in all Kinds of Situations

Death-related decisions are never easy, but direct cremation makes them a little easier. With minimal costs, maximum flexibility and several more benefits of note, direct cremation is a dignified, but simple disposition option that can work for all types of families.

A Brief History of Direct Cremation

Fri, 19 May 2023 22:55:38 GMT

In some parts of the world, cremations have been around as long as disposition itself. Relatively speaking, direct cremation is a newer practice, but that doesn’t make it “new.” It’s been almost 140 years since the first direct cremation was performed, and the process has only been perfected in the decades since.

Today, direct cremation is poised to become the nation’s most popular form of disposition, for many reasons. And the future is even brighter, as families in North America, Europe and beyond are establishing direct cremation as a top option for disposition services.

Cremation: A Practice That Spans Millennia

As a cultural practice, cremation is so old that there isn’t a firm idea of when it began. Archaeologists agree that it’s been around for more than 17,000 years, as cremains dating back that far were discovered in Australia.

Peoples in Asia embraced cremation early on, and there is evidence of cremated bodies in China dating back to 8000 BC. Part of Asia’s widespread adoption of cremation has to do with Buddhism, which spread throughout east and southeast Asia about 2,500 years ago. Buddhism considers cremation to be the ideal way to handle death, believing the spirit to be freed from the imperfect body during the cremation process.

In Europe, though, cremation emerged in isolated pockets. There is evidence that the practice was observed by ancient Greeks back in 3000 BC, specifically on the Cyclades islands. There is also evidence that cremation was a standard rite for tribes living in south and southeastern Europe – dating back to about 2000 BC.

Although cremation had a foothold in many parts of ancient Europe, it was never able to become the dominant disposition choice over burial. And this continent-wide trend was cemented once Christianity spread through the region.

The Rise of Christianity and the Fall of Cremation in Europe

During the Middle Ages – and well into the modern era – Christianity was largely opposed to cremation as a cultural practice. This resistance was due to Christianity’s belief that the body was resurrected following death. In fact, cremation was punishable by death throughout the Middle Ages. Even in areas where cremation did become common – such as the Scandinavian countries – it virtually disappeared with the emergence of Christianity.

During the Renaissance, though, additional Christian sects – Protestants foremost among them – offered alternative interpretations of Biblical text. Some of these alternative interpretations allowed for cremation, but it wouldn’t be until 1963 that Catholicism lifted its ban on the practice. While burial remains the preferred disposition choice, cremation is now acceptable by most western Christian churches. The story is different for members of the Orthodox Church, as Orthodox Christianity still rejects cremation as an acceptable form of disposition.

Public Health Brings Cremation Back to the Fore

Cremation remained on the cultural fringes in Europe until the mid-19th century. The reason for its re-emergence was public health, as European doctors believed that cremation offered a safer, healthier way to handle the deceased.

This idea was driven by two factors. One, improving furnace technology made efficient, safe cremation possible. Two, the miasma theory of disease was still the most accepted theory of disease among European researchers. The germ theory of disease wouldn’t take hold until the end of the 19th century.

The miasma theory of disease held that sickness was caused by foul air. This air (sometimes referred to as “night air”) was believed to be caused by small particles of decaying organic matter. This decayed material would enter the body through inhalation and cause illness.
Cremation was championed as a way to halt the spread of miasma, so European medical professionals brought the practice back into the public consciousness.

Direct Cremation Emerges as a Popular Alternative to Traditional Funerals

By the middle of the 19th century, small crematoriums were slowly popping up in Europe and beginning to take bodies for cremation. Most notable among these was the Woking Crematorium, which was the first crematorium purpose-built for human disposition in England. While the Woking facility itself was in service for burials starting in 1849, it wasn’t until 1878 that it began cremating human remains.

On March 26, 1885, the first official direct cremation in England was performed at the Woking Crematorium. The deceased was Jeannette Pickersgill, a painter and writer whose cremation was performed without a traditional memorial service and funeral.

You might say Ms. Pickersgill was a cremation trendsetter, as cremation services – including direct cremation – would grow in popularity with every year.

Today, Direct Cremation is Making New History as a Leading Disposition Choice

Cremation is now the leading choice for disposition for U.S. residents. According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), 56 percent of people who died in 2020 were cremated – an exclamation point on a long-running trend.

And the NFDA found that in 2022, more than 40 percent of people who chose cremation chose direct cremation for their disposition. That’s the highest rate that the NFDA has ever recorded for direct cremation, so it’s likely that direct cremation will be making history for a long time yet.

How to Have the Cremation Conversation with Your Family

Wed, 10 May 2023 15:54:37 GMT

When was the last time you talked about death with your family? Probably not recently, most likely. Only around 25 percent of people have had the disposition conversation with their loved ones, but research shows that death is worth talking about. Informing family members about disposition preferences means they don’t have to make the difficult decisions themselves.

The subject of this conversation is increasingly turning to cremation. Cremation services have overtaken traditional funeral burials as the number one disposition choice among Americans.

If you’re among the millions of Americans also interested in cremation, it’s time to have that conversation.

Addressing Disposition Resolves a Lot of Death-Related Anxiety

Whether it’s cremation or a traditional funeral and burial, there are good reasons to talk out your wishes with loved ones. It’s natural to think that such a conversation will be too uncomfortable for loved ones, but it usually goes easier than people expect.

There are two reasons for that. One, when people discuss their disposition preferences with family, they’re relieving friends and family of those difficult disposition decisions – decisions that no one wants to make when dealing with grief. Your family will be grateful for that.

Two, if you’ve already preplanned your cremation, there’s no cost-related burden to pass onto family. You’ve likely attended a funeral and wondered about who will pay for your own disposition. It’s a scary thing to think about, and it’s something your loved ones will be confronted with if disposition expenses fall to them.

If you can preplan and prepay for your cremation, that’s a major stress to take off of the family. Also, they won’t argue with your disposition choices if you’re paying for them yourself.

Five Basic Questions to Answer About Your Final Arrangements

When it’s time to open up the conversation, be ready to answer plenty of questions. This is how family will send you out, after all.

In particular, be ready to answer the four following questions :

Why choose cremation? If your family is unsure about cremation, there’s plenty of information you can give them to resolve their concerns. For example, you might mention how cremation is much less expensive than a traditional funeral and burial. You might not want a traditional ceremony, which can feel severe for the grief-stricken. You could mention how cremation allows decedents and their family members to memorialize in their own way. You could bring up the eco-friendly nature of cremation – and direct cremation in particular – as it has a much lower impact on land resources.

Think about why you’ve chosen cremation for yourself and be ready to explain your reasons to everyone when the chance arises.

How much does cremation cost? When discussing final arrangements, cost is inevitably brought up as a major factor. Your family will likely want to know what cremation will cost.

A traditional funeral and cremation typically cost a little bit less than a traditional funeral with burial – about $6,000 vs. $7,000 for a burial. However, direct cremation costs much less at around $1,200 on average.

If cost is a concern for family members, discussing direct cremation can help ease those concerns.

What should a final memorial look like? Although we don’t go around talking about our ideal end-of-life ceremony, most people have given the subject serious thought. You likely have as well, and it’s possible that those wishes don’t align with traditional funeral and burial services.

If you want something more intimate or more personalized, cremation makes it easy for families to plan out such a memorial. Whether it’s a relaxed get-together among family or scattering the ashes at a beloved spot, cremation allows family members to grieve and collect themselves before giving you a proper remembrance.

How many people will attend your memorial or disposition? This follows from the previous question, but it’s one that people typically consider separately. Again, though, with direct cremation, a memorial of any size can be arranged without rushing through the process. If your family wants to keep it small and intimate, direct cremation makes it easy. If your family wants something grand, direct cremation makes that easy, too.
How will family know they have the right ashes? This is a common fear that people express prior to cremation. It’s also a concern that direct cremation services take seriously. First, many cremation services maintain a database for all of their clients and decedents. Second, as soon as a decedent’s remains are recovered, an identifying metal disc is secured to the decedent, and this remains with them through cremation.

The disc survives the intense heat during cremation, so it can be referenced when recovering ashes. And when it’s time to hand the cremains over, this same disc is used to for verification.

How Can People Ensure Their Cremation Wishes are Carried Out?

The vast majority of cremation conversations end well. Cremation is a dignified, versatile, unrushed, and low-cost process that most people don’t have issues with. But every family is different, and if you suspect that there will be arguments over your decision, there are steps you can take to ensure your cremation preferences are carried out. Those steps include:

Make your wishes clear through the proper paperwork – Your disposition preferences should definitely be detailed in your will. However, this isn’t enough if you want to make absolute sure that your final wishes are observed. It’s common for wills to turn up well after the funeral or memorial, and it will be too late by then. To ensure this doesn’t happen to you, write your disposition preferences down in a separate document that can be quickly retrieved after passing. Let your loved ones know where this document is so they can locate it right away.
Name a trusted family member to act as power of attorney – If you have any final wishes at all to consider – including disposition – someone will need to confirm those wishes. That’s why the recommendation is to grant someone a durable power of attorney in your will and any document that specifies your cremation preferences. This person will have the final say on healthcare decisions if you become incapacitated, and disposition. For obvious reasons, this person should be someone you trust.
Consider preplanning your cremation through a service provider – Preplanning and prepaying for cremation is a compelling way to get your disposition wishes across. It’s highly unlikely that your family will contend with your decision if it’s already paid for, and if an argument develops over your final wishes, your preplanned cremation services will be a major point in your favor, should the discussion require mediation.

Death is an Uncomfortable Subject, But the Conversation is Worth Having

One of the great things about the death discussion is that you should only need to address it a couple of times before it’s settled. That’s the hope, anyway, to address your cremation decision, inform loved ones, and move on to the next conversational topic.

However, most families find that addressing a loved one’s future disposition is easier than it seems. And that’s especially true for people who have carefully considered their disposition options. If you walk into the talk well-informed about cremation and all of its benefits, you’ll leave loved ones with valuable peace of mind.

Six Ways to Honor a Loved One’s Cremains

Tue, 09 May 2023 16:20:02 GMT

CremainsOne of the primary advantages of cremation is that families can take their time in organizing a proper memorial. With a traditional funeral and burial, the nature of the process means it must be completed quickly. Add grief on top of that, and it is clear why many people want something different for their death.

Once a person is cremated , their ashes are safe to handle and inert. Loved ones could theoretically spend years planning out the perfect memorial, though most families do it much sooner than that.

What can slow down the planning process is the variety of options available for honoring a loved one’s cremains. Some of those ideas are quite creative, so we’ve made a list of some of the most popular ways to honor a loved one’s memory.

1. Pick an Urn That Fits Your Loved One

There are many ways to honor someone’s ashes but storing them in a beautiful urn remains a favorite. And there are many urns to choose from, some designed to look like certain things or designed to be placed in certain areas.

An ornamental urn for the fireplace mantle still works. But what about an urn that looks like a book or an urn with a carved landscape on it? Matching an urn to the loved one’s interests or personality is a beautiful way to remember a beloved family member.

There are also special urns designed for burial, and even some for the environmentally-conscious that break down quickly in the soil. In fact, green urns often come with seeds for growing a tree or flowers. In this way, new life becomes part of the memorial.

2. Store the Ashes in a Columbarium

If you do choose an urn to store your loved one’s cremains, they don’t have to be kept in a home. They can also be stored in a columbarium. Columbariums are typically located on cemetery grounds and are free-standing structures designed to house cremation urns.

Some columbariums are large enough to walk through and may include thousands of urn niches. Families also have the choice to secure a family niche, which is large enough to store multiple urns. Niches can be reserved for decades into the future, so future generations can be interred in the same spot.

By going with a columbarium, family members can visit their loved one the same way one would visit a grave. That means anyone can visit at any time.

3. Keep Them Close in a Piece of Jewelry

Cremation jewelry is a popular keepsake option for a loved one’s cremains. Cremation ashes can be incorporated into rings, bracelets, pendants, earrings, and many other pieces

It’s not obvious when someone is wearing cremation jewelry, as these pieces are designed to look like any other piece of jewelry. This makes it a good option for people who want their loved one close by wherever they go.

4. Scatter Them on the Ocean, or Inter Them Under the Water

Many people love the water so much that returning them to it just seems right. There are a few ways to do this, including:

Scattering the ashes at sea – The simplest way to celebrate a water-loving family member is to scatter the ashes at sea. This is obviously easier to do if the ocean or a lake are nearby. Florida’s extensive coastline, for instance, makes this easy to do.
There are boat rental services that can take families out onto the water specifically for releasing cremation ashes. These are inexpensive and quick, but necessary, as most states have laws against releasing cremains close to shore.
Release a water urn – Just as there are biodegradable urns designed for a land burial, there are urns made for the water, where they quickly break down and release the ashes. These can also be dropped in the water, as long as the boat is far enough away from shore.
Incorporate the ashes into a coral reef – There are also underwater options for cremation ashes. One example are coral reefs designed to take cremation ashes. Your loved one’s cremains are integrated directly into the reef, where they provide shelter for fish and a permanent memorial for your loved one.

5. Send Them into the Sky, or Higher

Land, sea, and air – ashes can go just about anywhere. If your loved one was a big fan of the big sky, here are a few options to celebrate them:

Go skydiving with the ashes – Yes, there are skydiving services that will help people release their loved one’s ashes during a jump. You’ll need to make absolute sure that all that’s being released is your loved one’s cremains, because some urns come with the identifying metal tag inside. It’s likely that one of the experienced skydivers will do the actual release, though experienced divers may handle it on their own.
Send them out in a blaze of glory – Your loved one’s cremains can be packed inside fireworks and set to launch. This can be a tough service to find, but there are specialty fireworks manufacturers that can pack cremation ashes into artillery shells that can then be fired like normal.
Before you do launch those fireworks, though, make sure you have permission from the property owner if it’s taking place on a private piece of land.
Let them reach for the stars – Why stop inside the atmosphere, though? Cremains can also be launched into space for a steep fee. Options include launching your loved one’s cremains for a return trip to Earth, launching into Earth’s orbit, launching toward the moon, or launching into deep space. Depending on the launch, your loved one’s ashes will likely be the only trace of humanity, wherever they go. For the space exploration lover, there’s no better final mission.

6. Mix Them into a Memorable Piece of Art

If your loved one was more creatively inclined, that can be the focus for a memorial. Ashes can be incorporated into a variety of art pieces, including

Paintings
Pottery
Glass
Wood art

Your loved one’s cremains can be mixed into the paint or pottery clay that is then used to make the art. As such, you can make the art yourself or have a talented artisan do it for you. In both cases, the final product is one that celebrates your loved one’s creativity.

No Matter How You Choose to Remember a Loved One, Cremation Makes It Easy to Arrange

As you can see, there is an incredible variety of ways to memorialize a loved one’s cremains. Whether they’re going on a mantle or to a distant galaxy, cremation allows families to plan and execute the perfect memorial.

The Rise of Direct Cremation

Wed, 03 May 2023 17:09:17 GMT

For thousands of years, human civilizations have used some form of cremation to honor those that have passed. Some of this was due to practicality as it’s easier to transport cremains than a body, and it can also be done without a labor-intensive burial.

There have long been ceremonial reasons for cremation, too. For some peoples, like the Norse, cremation freed the person’s soul or essence from their body, sending it to the afterlife unburdened.

Today, modern people have more grounded reasons for choosing cremation, but they’re choosing it all the same. According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), 1.56 million people were cremated for their final disposition. That number is expected to double by 2040.

Cremation is clearly becoming America’s preferred disposition option, but a particular type of cremation – direct cremation – is outpacing all other forms of disposition.

Cremation Has a Long History, But Direct Cremation is a Recent Concept

Cremation has been around in some form for thousands of years. As long as humans have honored their dead, they’ve been using fire to do it. However, direct cremation has only recently reached consumer awareness. That could have something to do with the name. After all, what makes direct cremation “direct,” compared to other forms of cremation?

The term comes from the fact that direct cremation services recover the decedent’s remains from the place of death and take them directly to the mortuary. Then, once cremation is approved by the state, the remains are taken directly to the crematory for disposition.

Unlike traditional cremation, there’s no memorial service or viewing included with direct cremation.

This may be another reason why direct cremation is just now reaching consumer awareness – because views on end-of-life arrangements are rooted deeply in tradition. However, direct cremations can be carried out in line with most religious and cultural traditions. Dignity in death can be fully preserved with direct cremation, in other words.

A dignified disposition is one reason why direct cremation is on the rise, but it’s far from the only reason.

Why Are More Families Choosing Direct Cremation?

Historically, funeral and memorial costs have risen much faster than all other consumer goods and services. Today, in Florida, a traditional funeral and burial costs about $8,000. A traditional funeral and cremation runs around $7,000. Note that it’s the funeral or memorial service that drives up the cost, and not disposition itself.

Direct cremation services remove the funeral or memorial from the process, and the associated financial burden placed on families. Instead, direct cremation includes only what’s needed. That means:

Administrative costs and assistance with filing all cremation forms/paperwork.
Transport from place of death to mortuary, and from mortuary to crematory
Short-term refrigeration (usually a week)
An alternative container for the decedent’s remains during cremation
The crematory’s fee

There are additional goods and services that families can add to their direct cremation package, but the above is the necessary minimum. Depending on the direct cremation service, the total may come out to less than $1,000.

For many families, the reduced cost of direct cremation isn’t just a financial relief. The money saved on funeral costs, embalming and burial can instead be used on a personalized memorial service at a later date.

Some Religions Are Now More Accepting of Cremation, As Are Americans In General

Direct cremation is also on the rise because cremation as a cultural practice is widely accepted by Americans now. This wasn’t always the case, but Americans and the religions they practice are softening. For example:

Christianity – Cremation was once frowned on by most Christian denominations, but some have reversed course on the idea. The central cremation issue in Christianity is whether or not the practice interferes with resurrection. Both Protestantism and Catholicism no longer believe that it does. However, some denominations – including Greek and Russian Orthodox – still reject cremation as a form of disposition.
Judaism – The story is similar with Judaism. While Orthodox Judaism is still opposed to cremation, reform Judaism is becoming more open-minded toward the practice. However, even in cemeteries dedicated to reform Judaism groups, the cremains will need to be buried to satisfy religious requirements.
Islam – Islam remains opposed to cremation, and practitioners are barred from choosing it for disposition.
Hinduism – Hinduism is on the opposite end of the cremation spectrum. Hinduism practitioners believe that the soul is bound to the body but seeks release following death. The best way to do this, according to the faith, is to cremate the body. For this reason, cremation is not only accepted, but encouraged as the proper form of disposition.
Buddhism – Buddhism doesn’t prescribe guidelines for funerals or disposition, so followers are allowed to choose their end-of-life arrangement freely. Many decide to go with cremation, as this is how the great Siddhartha’s body was handled after death.

As you can see, most people in the U.S. aren’t restricted by their religion regarding cremation, though some of these developments are recent. This likely has something to do with why Americans are more open to cremation, and direct cremation, than ever before.

Families Are Also Spreading Out More, Which Fuels Direct Cremation Services

Direct cremation also fills a need that has emerged only recently. Families are spreading out into larger networks, some spanning thousands of miles. That distance can be a major impediment to traditional funeral services, which are time sensitive.

That impediment isn’t a concern for direct cremation because it can be arranged and carried out remotely. Of course, if loved ones prefer to be present, or are required to be present for religious reasons, this can also be arranged.

The point is, direct cremation ensures a loved one’s end-of-life arrangements will be managed in a dignified manner, even if no one can be physically present. And following cremation, the cremains can be picked up, delivered (withing a certain radius) or mailed, so the family can honor the deceased wherever and whenever they choose.

Direct Cremation Is On The Rise in America

Cremation just passed traditional funerals as the number one disposition choice for Americans, but its popularity is still spiking. According to industry projections, more than 80 percent of people will choose cremation by 2040.

Direct cremation is poised to grow along with that trend, as it provides many of the benefits of a traditional cremation, but with added flexibility and at a fraction of the cost.

The Benefits of Prepaying for Cremation Services

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 17:01:48 GMT

As funeral costs have risen over the decades, families have responded by preplanning and prepaying those expenses ahead of time. This approach is also available for cremation services, which can also be paid well in advance.

There are several benefits of prepaying for cremation services, which we’ll address in a bit. But first, it’s worth pointing out how easy it is to preplan and pay for cremation.

Preplanning and Prepaying for Direct Cremation is Simple

Although preplanning disposition was originally done for funerals, the practice may be a better fit for direct cremation services. Funeral costs have gone up dramatically in recent years, and preplanning funeral expenses can be impractical for many families, given the cost. Also, a funeral home is involved when preplanning funeral arrangements, and this means an in-person meeting with the funeral home staff. With family members spread out more than ever, committing to a particular location can be complicated.

These complications don’t exist with direct cremation, so it’s even simpler to preplan cremation than it is to preplan a funeral.

Direct cremation services are sold on their simplicity and low disposition fees. When prepaying for direct cremation, clients usually have a single plan to pick from. There are no agonizing plan comparisons to make or second guess. Just a single, low-cost plan that can be funded in-person, over the phone, or online. If additional goods or services are desired, they can be included in any preplanning. Funding a direct cremation plan comes with everything needed for disposition. No additional fees are passed on to surviving family members.

Four Reasons to Consider Prepaying for Cremation

Preplanning a direct cremation service is simple, but simplicity isn’t the only reason. Here are four more benefits that come with cremation preplanning:

No financial burden on loved ones – The primary reason for preplanning cremation is to eliminate any cost-related burdens on family members. And while direct cremation is only 15-20 percent of what a funeral and burial costs, preplanning still takes care of everything.

And in this case, everything includes retrieving the decedent’s remains from the place of death, transporting the remains to a mortuary for refrigeration, filing all necessary paperwork, obtaining approval from the state, transporting the decedent, overseeing cremation, and retrieving the cremains for the family. An alternative container and basic urn are provided with direct cremation services, as well.

With preplanning, all of the above are paid for and available as soon as death does occur. Family members only need to contact the direct cremation service and request their prepaid services.

No difficult decisions left for loved ones, either – Aside from the price tag, traditional funeral arrangements are notoriously stressful to organize. There’s precious little time to finalize arrangements and contact family members in the process. With so many decisions to make and so little time, rushed families may pay more than they should when getting everything arranged. Last-minute hotel stays and plane tickets can do that.

By preplanning direct cremation, there’s no need to rush. Whether the family is present or not, cremation can be carried out. And, of course, with cremation, a proper memorial can wait until everyone is available. Even if loved ones live several states over, they can still access their loved one’s cremains and keep them until family can gather.

Ensures your final wishes are carried out – When we pass away, it’s a time for family members to grieve and remember. As such, our final disposition may be the last opportunity for family to gather and celebrate our lives. It’s like a last impression, and just like with a first impression, we want it to go just right.

Preplanning cremation gives people full control over how their remains are handled, and how to guide post-death arrangements. By preplanning cremation, you’re making your final preferences clear, so they’re much more likely to be carried out to your specifications.

Ultimate peace of mind – Death is an uncomfortable subject, but the ability to plan our own final arrangements is a great privilege – a privilege that people throughout history haven’t always had.

Death is inevitable, as is arranging your final disposition. There’s no avoiding the fact that someone will have to make a disposition decision for you – but by preplanning, you get to make that decision and rest easy that it’s been made.

Additional Services and Goods That Can be Added to Direct Cremation

Direct cremation is sold as the transparent, easy-to-arrange form of disposition, and families can easily customize their plans with additional items or services, including:

Urns, including burial, decorative and “green” urns
Caskets, to replace the alternative containers during cremation
Rush or expedited cremation services, for faster response time
Storage or delivery of cremated remains
Shipping of cremated remains

With the above customization options, clients can choose their own urn or casket – and prepay for it. Families can also access their loved ones’ cremains, no matter where they lived or passed away. Ashes can even be divided among family members, so everyone can honor their loved one as they see fit.

Death is Never an Easy Thing to Deal With, but Preplanning Cremation Makes it as Easy as Possible

Preplanning disposition has been an option for decades, and one that families have needed to deal with rising funeral costs. It’s also an option for direct cremation, even if direct cremation costs are much lower than other forms of disposition.

But even if direct cremation is the cost-effective option, there are still good reasons to prepay it down. The last thing anyone wants is to leave their loved ones in financial distress – or any disposition-related stress at all. By preplanning and prepaying for direct cremation, your loved ones can focus on handling their grief, rather than worrying about what to do and how to pay for it.

How to Prepare for Your Direct Cremation

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 16:00:26 GMT

So, you’ve chosen direct cremation for your final disposition. You’re not alone – cremation is now the number one disposition choice among Americans.

Now that you’ve made your decision, there are questions to answer and information you’ll need to put together. Let’s take a deeper look at everything you’ll need to ensure your cremation wishes are carried out. And that starts with a conversation.

First, Have “The Conversation” With Your Family

According to a survey by The Conversation Project, 90 percent of people believe it’s important to talk to family members about funeral, burial, or cremation decisions. However, only 27 percent of people surveyed had actually had the end-of-life discussion with their families.

This is one of those loose ends you’ll want to tie up. If your family and friends know about your direct cremation wishes before your death, this will reduce the emotional strain on your loved ones. They won’t have to make the decision for you, which could save a lot of doubt and infighting among family members.

If any loved ones have an issue with the cremation process, an early conversation will help them accept the idea before your death. However, most people find that their families are open to cremation, so this discussion may end up being easier than it seems.

Specify Your Cremation Arrangements in its Own Document

Now that your family members know about your direct cremation plans, it’s time to put them down on paper. If you don’t, the decision will ultimately be left to family members. Your legal spouse would have first say followed by your adult children.

With a little paperwork, though, you can designate who will oversee your final decisions. And, of course, you can specify your preference for direct cremation.

You can do this in a will, but the recommendation is to create a separate document for your disposition details. Tell your family where this document is located so they can find it quickly when needed. And pick a place that’s accessible – not in the safe with your will.

Give a Trusted Loved One Power of Attorney

With a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPOAHC), whoever you name will have the right to make medical decisions for you in case you become incapacitated. It’s also a good idea to detail your cremation wishes in this document, as whoever you choose will also have final say on disposition, memorial or funeral arrangements.

Consider Where Your Ashes Will Be Buried, Stored or Spread

Following cremation, families have a few options regarding what they can do with the cremains. Those options include:

Spreading the ashes – Spreading ashes is simple and there are few restrictions in most places. However, if the ashes are to be spread on private property, permission is required from the property owner first. Some popular ash spreading locations, like theme parks and state parks, usually have tight restrictions on the custom, so verify before making your decision.

Many cemeteries have areas designated for spreading ashes or burying urns. Termed urn gardens, burial spots are much smaller than a standard burial plot (about 1/4 the size), which means it costs less.

Burying the cremains – Cremains can also be buried, and the restrictions here are similar. In most cases, the cremains are buried with the urn – but there are biodegradable urn options, as well as urns that grow flowers or a tree once they’ve broken down. If you wish to be buried on private property, you’ll need permission. An important note – if the urn is buried on private property, and someone else buys the property, they may require the urn to be removed or may prevent people from digging up the urn.
Storing the cremains in a columbarium – As the popularity of cremation rises, so does the number of columbariums. A columbarium is a structure, often located at a cemetery, designed to house cremation urns. Inside, families can reserve a location just for their cremation urns, in a way that’s similar to having a family burial plot. The difference is that much less space is required and, therefore, it’s less expensive.

If you have a preference for your own remains, specify that along with your other disposition preferences. If you haven’t thought this far, that’s okay – the decision can be left with a person you trust.

Talk with a Direct Cremation Service to Preplan the Process

Once you’ve determined your cremation planning and made your family aware of the decision, the next step is to consult with direct cremation services . Reputable Orlando Florida direct cremators have an established preplanning process that makes the experience quick and frustration-free. In fact, you’ll only need to answer a few questions and provide some basic information to set up your direct cremation in Orlando Florida.

Work with an Orlando Florida cremator that offers an online portal where you can schedule direct cremation, choose from available goods and services, and provide all needed information.

During preplanning, you’ll also have the opportunity to prefund your cremation so that’s paid for ahead of time. There are a couple of reasons to consider this:

You can purchase exactly what you want, or do not want – During preplanning, you have complete control over what additional services or goods you want for your cremation. If you have specific ideas for your memorial or just want to make the most economical choices for your family, preplanning is the best way to do it.
Preplanning minimizes stress for your loved ones – With all cremation fees taken care of, you’ll save your loved ones the stress of paying out of pocket. Direct cremation is less expensive than other cremation and funeral options, but it still costs several hundred dollars. By preplanning, your family can manage their grief without tacking on financial stress.

Disposition Decisions Can Be Difficult, But Direct Cremation Makes the Process Simple For You and Your Loved Ones

Death is a part of life, but a part that we’d rather not talk about. However, it’s a conversation worth having as it ensures your final wishes are carried out. It also provides peace of mind to your loved ones, who would probably rather have these matters taken care of before death occurs.

And with direct cremation preplanning , you won’t leave any part of the process behind for others to manage. When the day comes and your family must work through their grief, that certainty can be a final gift you leave to them.

What Paperwork Is Needed for Direct Cremation in Florida?

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 18:21:59 GMT

Direct cremation is simple and inexpensive to arrange , but like other disposition options, some paperwork is required before it can be carried out in Florida . Most of these forms are easy to access and fill out, but direct cremation services can make it even easier on families. They can help attain these forms and fill them out so there are no interruptions prior to cremation.

Here is a quick guide on the forms needed to complete before direct cremation can take place in Florida.

The Death Certificate Application Form

The death certificate is one of the most important forms you’ll need for direct cremation in Florida. It’s an official document and provided by the government on request.

In most cases, death certificates are used by surviving family members to access benefits or for estate settling purposes. The government may request a death certificate to determine a person’s cause of death, or for data tracking purposes.

For direct cremation purposes, a death certificate is required before cremation can proceed. Fortunately, this is something your direct cremation service can handle, as they can order one or more death certificates on your behalf. To do that, you may be asked to fill out information about the decedent. This information may be provided when scheduling direct cremation services, so there’s no delay during cremation.

The Cremation Authorization Form

The cremation authorization form is the other critical piece of paperwork you’ll need to submit before disposition can take place. This form protects the cremation service, as disposition is irreversible. Before a direct cremator will provide services, it will need more than a verbal agreement to proceed – it needs something in writing. That’s what the cremation authorization form provides.

It’s a quick and easy form to fill out. You’ll need to provide the decedent’s name, your name, and a signature for authorizations purposes. The form also lists all the terms and conditions for cremation, so you’ll know what’s involved in the process. For example, if the decedent has certain types of prostheses, including dental prostheses, these may need to be removed prior to cremation. Pacemakers and other implantable medical devices will also require removal before cremation. The decedent’s family must indicate whether such a device is present in the decedent on the authorization form.

This is just one example of what may be included. You can think of the cremation authorization form as the official agreement between the direct cremation service and the family.

The Cremation Arrangement Form

Some direct cremation services require families to fill out a disposition arrangement form during their initial meeting with the client. This form may also be provided online for quick access and submission.

While death certificates and cremation authorization forms are official legal documents, arrangement forms aren’t binding in the same way. They’re developed by the cremation service and aren’t legally standardized. Still, you may be required to fill one out for the cremator’s reference.

Most arrangement forms include fields for the decedent’s full name, social security number, date of birth, date of death, address, age, marital status, and whether they were an armed forces veteran. This information can help the cremation service put together other important forms, like a death certificate application.

The Payment Authorization Form and Goods Statement

Direct cremation services are regulated by the Funeral Rule. Some of the Funeral Rule’s stipulations include complete fee transparency. Direct cremation services must make it easy for families to select only what they need for the process. However, it’s common for families to add extra goods or services for their loved one, such as an urn to store ashes in, or a casket to hold the deceased during the cremation process.

These regulations offer much-needed consumer protection to families. Given the tight regulations involved, direct cremation services may require a payment and goods authorization form before cremation can proceed.

This form includes an itemized list of all services and items included in the agreed-upon price. It also includes the name and address of the person responsible for all listed costs. That person, termed the buyer, must provide their signature and acknowledge that their rights under the Funeral Rule were observed.

What do those consumer rights include?

The direct cremator must provide a full price list of all services and goods. The cremator must also inform the client that embalming is not necessary for cremation, except in special circumstances. Cremation services are also disallowed from making claims about the container’s (or casket’s) protective features, unless they are listed by the manufacturer.

VA Benefits Form and Other VA Applications

Veterans who served on active duty and were honorably discharged may be eligible for cremation benefits through Veterans’ Affairs (VA). Officially termed Form 21P-530, this piece of paperwork is an application for disposition benefits, whether it be burial or cremation.

When filling out the form, the decedent’s service information (service number, dates and rank) must be included. Information regarding the place of cremation, the costs associated with disposition and to what extent those costs have been paid must also be included on the form.

Additional VA forms include applications for a burial flag or military headstone. Your direct cremation provider can help you put these forms together if you’re unsure about the process.

A Direct Cremation Service Provider Can Help Your Family Gather, Complete and Submit All Necessary Forms

In the past, arranging a disposition was a difficult, time-consuming process that included a significant amount of paperwork.

Florida direct cremation services have greatly simplified this, especially if you’re working with an experienced, reputable service provider . All necessary forms are typically available on the cremation provider’s website, so you can download and send them back in minutes. This approach ensures there are no delays in carrying out your loved one’s final wishes.

Direct Cremation Near Me

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 02:33:46 GMT

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Four Reasons Why Orlando is One of the Country’s Cremation Capitals

Florida has long been one of the country’s foremost adopters of cremation. Since cremation began its rapid rise in popularity following the turn of the millennium, Florida residents have opted for cremation to a greater degree than almost every other state.

In Florida, Orlando stands out for the cremation services it offers. Here, we’ve included four reasons why that’s the case.

1) The Cost of Cremation Services are Lower in the Orlando Area

The cost of disposition leads the cremation discussion, and while cost is far from the only consideration, it’s hard to fault families for focusing on it. Funeral and burial expenses have climbed precipitously over the past couple decades, with funeral costs (burial caskets chief among them) outpacing almost all other consumer goods in price growth.

Overall, funeral costs have nearly quadrupled in the last 35 years. Families look at this and see cremation as a necessary alternative. And in Florida, Orlando is among the least expensive cities for cremation services.

Across Florida, the average cost of direct cremation is just under $1,700 – which is lower than 80 percent of U.S. states. That’s according to data put together by Choice Mutual.

In Orlando, though, the average cost of direct cremation is even lower. It sits around $1,550, so nearly 10 percent lower than the state average, which is already low compared to the rest of the country.

It’s worth noting that direct cremation can cost significantly less than $1,550, as this average is brought up by families purchasing additional goods and services.

Regardless, direct cremation services in Orlando are highly affordable, compared to the average cost of cremation in other U.S. states.

2) There are Numerous Memorial Gardens, Columbariums and Cemeteries in and Around Orlando

If cost was the only factor, Orlando would be near the lead. Of course, cost isn’t the only factor when it comes to memorializing a loved one. As cremation becomes more popular among general Americans, families are developing new ways of memorializing their loved ones.

The Orlando area offers plenty of places where cremains are accepted. Memorial gardens are one example, and there are several inside and just outside of Orlando. Memorial gardens are beautifully landscaped areas where families can spread their loved one’s ashes or bury them. Many memorial gardens are affiliated with a church or cemetery, and these offer a few options for families that have ashes to spread or bury. For example, some cemeteries maintain urn gardens. Here, families can bury an urn in a small plot, much like burying a casket. With the plot and an accompanying plaque, it’s easier for families to remember and visit their loved one.

Columbariums are another traditional form of interring a cremation urn. Columbariums are free-standing structures designed to store and display urns, and spaces can be rented for individuals or families.

There are other options near Orlando, too. With the city’s central location, the coast is only a short drive away. Here, families can rent a boat and release the cremains over the open water. There are even reefs developed from cremains, and though this is expensive, it’s a unique and productive way for people to put their cremains to use after they pass away.

No matter what your memorial preferences are, though, Orlando makes it easy to carry them out.

3) Florida’s Laws Make it Easy for Families to Spread or Bury Their Loved One’s Ashes

Florida’s laws are also relaxed regarding how and where ashes can be spread or interred. In public spaces, excepting state parks, no permission is necessary before spreading ashes. On state parks and private property, permission is required, but that’s it. In fact, families can bury a cremation urn as long as they have permission to do so.

Now, don’t try to spread the ashes at Walt Disney World Resort or Universal Studios, as there are tightly enforced rules against the practice. But as long as families aren’t releasing the cremains at a private theme park, minimal planning and preparation is required.

4) Orlando is Near Several Snowbird Hotspots in the State

With affordable direct cremation available to Orlando residents, Florida families find it a bit easier to carry out a loved one’s disposition and memorial. But direct cremation isn’t limited to Orlando and Florida residents. Every year, Florida’s warmth, natural beauty and affordability attract thousands upon thousands of snowbirds.

Many of those that stay in Florida for the winter will stay in Kissimmee and coastal communities near Orlando. Now, snowbirds are generally physically and mentally active, but it’s inevitable that some of them will pass away during their annual stay in Florida. Direct cremation services ensure that these snowbirds are given a dignified disposition that can easily be arranged by family members who are out of state.

Because of direct cremation’s flexibility, people temporarily living in Orlando can still have their cremation wishes carried out and overseen by a loved one, even if that loved one is thousands of miles away.

Orlando Direct Cremation Services Provide a Mix of Affordability and Convenience for the Sunshine State’s Communities

Orlando is one of Florida’s top destinations for several reasons. It’s affordable, family-friendly, and is a perfect starting point for touring around the state.

With reputable, low-cost direct cremation services available throughout the area – as well as plenty of memorial areas to choose from – Orlando is one of the country’s cremation capitals.

Understanding Cremation Costs: A Comprehensive Guide

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 18:09:41 GMT

If we’re fortunate, planning a loved one’s disposition is rare. Rare, but inevitable, and one of the primary concerns with disposition is the cost. Traditional funerals and burials have become much more expensive over the decades, pressuring the market into providing a less costly but still dignified option.

For many families, that alternative is direct cremation. In this guide, we’ll address how direct cremation minimizes disposition expenses. We’ll also take a look at the other cost-related factors involved in a loved one’s final arrangements.

Funeral and Burial, Traditional Cremation and Direct Cremation: A Quick Cost Comparison

First, a high-level look at disposition costs. Here’s how traditional funerals and burials, traditional cremations, and direct cremations stack up:

Traditional funeral and burial – The price of a traditional funeral and burial varies greatly across the country, and even across each state.

According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the average price of a traditional Florida funeral is about $6,500. Between Miami and Orlando, average funeral costs differ by almost $1,000.

This also does not include the cost of a casket or cemetery plot – both of which are necessary for most burial practices. These two can add another $2,000 to $2,500 to the final cost. In all, families can expect to pay upwards of $9,000 for a traditional funeral service with burial.

Traditional cremation – According to the NFDA, cremation with a traditional memorial service costs around $7,000. Most of this expense is tied up in the ceremony itself, as cremation services themselves are generally cost-efficient.

The traditional cremation process is similar to a traditional funeral with burial. The funeral home is rented out for the memorial, and there may be a viewing prior to disposition.

Direct cremation – With direct cremation, there is no traditional remembrance ceremony or viewing prior to disposition. Services include retrieving the decedent’s body from the place of death, transporting the remains to the mortuary and crematory, preparing the necessary authorization forms, and guiding clients through the process. An alternative container is provided for the decedent’s remains during cremation, and a second container is provided for the resulting cremains.

The only goods and services involved are those absolutely necessary to carry out cremation. As a result, direct cremation prices are much lower. In Florida, the average cost of direct cremation is about $1,500, but this figure is lower for many, as it includes optional goods and services.

Three Services and Goods That Drive Up Cremation Costs

The pric e difference between traditional cremation and direct cremation is stark. It can be greater than $5,000, in some cases. Why does the type of cremation make such a big difference?

Funeral home and staff costs – The biggest expense, by far, associated with traditional cremation is the cost of the funeral home staff and space. Together, staff and venue fees can run up to $4,000 or more. When a family works with a funeral home, these fees are unavoidable.
The cost of cremation casket – During a traditional cremation with viewing, the decedent is placed in a ceremonial casket. This casket is typically of durable, quality construction – the kind that would normally be used with a burial. For most traditional cremations, though, the casket is only rented and will not be passed into the cremation chamber with the decedent. That rental will cost up to $1,800 or more.
The cost of embalming and cosmetics – Embalming is required with a traditional viewing, as this preserves the body long enough for the viewing to take place. Additional cosmetic services may also be necessary to present the deceased in a dignified manner during the memorial service. Embalming and cosmetics don’t impact the final price as much as other funeral service fees, but they can still run several hundred dollars.

Embalming and cosmetics are not required for direct cremation, as the body is placed in refrigeration prior to cremation.

Families Can Add Items, Like an Urn, to Their Direct Cremation Services

As budget friendly as direct cremation is, there’s still room for flexibility, and many people do decide to add in certain goods and services. For example, the following options are available:

A cremation casket
An urn (available in many designs and materials)
Delivery or mailing of decedent’s cremains
Expedited or rush cremation services

While these can increase the cost of direct cremation, they can help with informal remembrance ceremonies and are therefore popular additions to direct cremation plans.

Another Cremation Cost Factor: What Families Do with the Ashes Following Cremation

One of cremation’s primary advantages is its flexibility. With cremation, people have additional post-disposition options, so families can choose to remember their loved one the way they choose. Some of those options include:

Scattering or burying the ashes in a beloved spot – Many families choose cremation so they can scatter or bury their loved one’s cremains in a favorite spot. This could be on the decedent’s own property, at a park, over the water, or any place of personal significance.

This approach is generally cost-free, and Florida ash-spreading regulations are relaxed. However, you’ll need permission from the property owner before ashes can be scattered or buried in the area. Also, if the cremains are to be scattered over the water, you may need to rent a boat, as Florida laws require scattering to occur a certain distance away from the coast. If you’re planning on scattering ashes in a public park, a permit will likely be required and the typical cost is up to $75.

Scattering the ashes at a scattering garden – Some cemeteries have space reserved for a scattering garden, where families can spread their loved one’s ashes in a cultivated, beautiful space. Costs start at around $100 and may run up to $1,000, as a plaque, bench or other memorial with the decedent’s name can be included with scattering.
Burying the urn in an urn garden – Some cemeteries also have areas designated for burial urns. Termed urn gardens, these spaces include smaller burial plots designed for urns, so they cost less than a traditional burial plot. Along with the burial plot, urn gardens may include a memorial plaque or headstone. The cost of burial in an urn garden is usually several hundred dollars, with most of that going to the plot itself.
Storing the urn in a columbarium or vault – There are also above-ground interment options for cremation urns. These include vaults and columbariums, which are specifically designed for urns. Interment spaces range in size – some are only large enough for a single urn, while others are large enough for an entire family.

There’s also a big range in cost. An exterior-facing, single space vault may only cost a few hundred dollars. A family-sized space inside of an ornate columbarium, though, usually costs a few thousand dollars or more. In densely populated areas and in high-demand cemeteries, the price can be over $10,000 for a space.

Funeral and Cremation Costs Are On the Rise, But Direct Cremation Provides a Mix of Affordability, Flexibility and Dignity

Most types of disposition come with serious sticker shock. With funeral home services, rentals, and caskets all climbing in price, the traditional funeral is out of reach for many families.

Fortunately, traditional funerals represent only one disposition option among many. Cremation , and direct cremation specifically, offers the dignity that comes with a traditional funeral. And it also offers the flexibility and lower cost that many families require.

What is Direct Cremation and How Does it Work?

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 19:13:35 GMT

Cremation is the top disposition option for Americans, and different types of cremation services are popping up to meet demand. One option is direct cremation, and it’s quickly becoming a popular choice for many families.

Direct cremation is different than traditional cremation in several ways. We’ll go into what those differences are, but the important point is this – if you’re concerned about cost or complexity, direct cremation could be an ideal disposition option for you or your loved one.

What Do Direct Cremation Services Include?

Direct cremation services usually include the following:

Direct disposal services and staff – Direct disposal services include responding to calls, retrieving the decedent’s remains, arranging for cremation with the client, and providing clerical assistance for all necessary forms.
Refrigeration – The decedent’s remains are not embalmed prior to cremation, therefore refrigeration is required. Direct cremation service fees include several days’ worth of refrigeration, but more can be added, if needed.
Transportation – This includes transportation from the place of death to the mortuary, and from the mortuary to the crematory.
Crematory fee – This is the fee required by the crematory to handle the remains, cremate them, and recover the ashes.
Alternative container – Direct cremation services do not require a casket. Instead, an alternative container (a cardboard box) is provided to hold the remains during the cremation process.

The above services are the minimum necessary for direct cremation. The associated costs are around $1,000 in most cases, but some direct cremation companies can do it for around $800.

How does this compare to the cost of other disposition options?

Memorial service with cremation – Between $2,500 and $5,000, depending on location.
Traditional funeral service and burial – Between $6,000 and $9,000 in most cases, though it can run up to $12,000 or more in some areas.

Urns, Caskets and Additional Services Can Be Added to Direct Cremation

Cost is one of direct cremation’s benefits, but families may add onto their cremation package if they wish. Some of those goods and services include:

A wooden, metal or ornamental urn
A casket, instead of an alternative container
Additional death certificates
Expedited or rush cremation services
Delivery of remains to a residence or cemetery
Dividing the cremated remains into multiple containers
Packaging and mailing the remains (within the continental U.S.)

While these goods and services will increase the price of direct cremation, they allow loved ones to be flexible with how they plan final arrangements.

Is Direct Cremation Regulated Like Other Funeral Services?

The Federal Trade Commission regulates the funeral industry through its Funeral Rule. Direct cremation services are also required to abide by this rule.

The Funeral Rule requires cremation services to provide transparent pricing and a simple purchasing process. Transparent pricing includes an itemized list of all fees, so the family can review everything prior to purchase. Further, cremation services must inform people of all options pertaining to goods and services. In short, consumers must be aware of all their choices when making cremation arrangements.

Also, direct cremators must maintain a direct disposer license to provide cremation services in their state. This license ensures the recovery team is trained in safely and properly handling human remains following death.

With these regulatory measures in place, families can opt for direct cremation without fear.

How is Direct Cremation Different Than Other Cremation Options?

We’ve already addressed the difference in cost, which can be thousands of dollars depending on what services are required and where cremation is taking place.

However, there are other differences with direct cremation, including:

You don’t have to work with a funeral home – With traditional funeral or memorial services, you’ll need a funeral home. The funeral home provides everything needed for a traditional service, including the venue itself. However, funeral home services are expensive, are time-constrained, and may not offer the flexibility your family is looking for.

Also, you’ll need to visit the funeral home in person, which may not be possible if the decedent lived far away from you.

No funeral or memorial services are provided – Direct cremation services do not include a funeral or memorial. Cremation is handled soon after the decedent’s body is recovered, and while family members may be present during cremation, it isn’t necessary.

Once cremation is complete, though, the decedent’s ashes can be incorporated into a future memorial service. For some families, this service is held months or even years after the decedent has passed away.

You don’t need to be present for cremation to take place – Family members may be present during cremation – and this is required by some religions. However, there is no requirement for family members to be present while the decedent is removed or during cremation. In fact, the entire process can be handled without any in-person meetings. Once cremation is complete, the remains can be delivered or mailed anywhere in the continental U.S., so distance is not an obstacle.

Direct Cremation Offers Peace of Mind and Flexibility to Families

Direct cremation may be the low-cost choice among disposition options, but in this case, that low cost may be a help to other memorial arrangements. Direct cremation allows families to memorialize and grieve how they wish, without the pressure of putting together last-second arrangements. You only need to contact a direct cremation expert , schedule services, and provide some information along the way. The direct cremation team takes care of the rest, so you can focus on steering your family and yourself through this difficult time.

How Long to Wait Before Arranging Funeral Services?

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 16:38:20 GMT

Arranging Funeral Services: How Long Do You Have?

When a death occurs, families have some decisions to make regarding final arrangements. One of the first decisions to make is whether or not to include a funeral with burial or cremation services.

End-of-life arrangements must be carried out soon after death, given the realities of body decomposition. If a funeral is preferred, it’s usually performed within a week, and ideally within a few days if there will be a viewing. This timeline can be stretched out if the body is embalmed, but only by another week or so.

In short, you’ve got two weeks to work with if a funeral and viewing are involved. This is true whether the remains will be buried or cremated, because the funeral is what dictates the compressed timeline.

However, if you choose not to have a funeral and opt for direct cremation instead, your funeral planning timeline can be much more flexible.

With Direct Cremation, Families Can Schedule Funeral Services Whenever They Prefer

Once death is confirmed, direct cremation services include the immediate removal of the decedent’s remains and transport to a mortuary. Approval for cremation can take several days, and once approval is confirmed, the cremation service provider will transport the remains to the crematory. Then the body is cremated and the remains are returned to the family.

Funerals aren’t part of direct cremation, but a funeral service can still be held at a later date. In some cases, families delay a memorial service for months following cremation. There are many reasons why family members may choose to delay a funeral, but no matter what they are, direct cremation gives people time to put everything together.

What Can Affect the Funeral Planning Timeline?

Funeral planning is a complicated process, before accounting for grief. If you’ve lost a family member and are working through memorial planning, the process can feel overwhelming. Some of the factors you may need to consider include:

The deceased’s final wishes – It’s common for people to specify their final wishes in a living will, and this could include whether the decedent wishes to have a traditional memorial service or not.

Given the rising costs of funerals, many people are choosing less expensive end-of-life options for their surviving family members, to relieve them of any financial burdens. This is a primary reason why Americans are choosing cremation for their end-of-life arrangements. The average cost of cremation is lower than the cost of burial.

Some people take this approach further and preplan their cremation. By preplanning cremation, you’re making your intentions clear to family members. You’re also ensuring your final arrangements are paid for, which simplifies things further for family members.
If your loved one has specified what they want their final wishes to be, either through preplanning, a living will or just in conversation, then it’s up to surviving family members to make those wishes happen. This can have a big say on when a memorial can be held.
Other family members’ availability – Funerals are a must-attend for close family members, as gathering together can bring comfort in the grieving process. This can complicate funeral planning as you work through determining who can attend and who cannot.

Some people specifically request a small funeral when dictating their final wishes. If that’s the case, contacting everyone and lining up schedules may not be a major concern. If you’re expecting a lot of guests, though, you’ll likely need to schedule the memorial for the weekend, when availability is open for most people.
The date of other important events – If your loved one has passed close to another significant event – like a graduation, birthday or holiday – then pushing the ceremony back may be needed so that sad memories aren’t associated with happier events.
Whether the decedent passed far from home – If the decedent passed in another state and if you want funeral services back home, it will take time to transport the body. You’ll also have to work with multiple funeral homes to make that happen.

This can be the case when a snowbird dies in Florida , as the remains may need to be transported thousands of miles before arriving home. Embalming the body will be required to preserve the body en route and delays are common. This can push the funeral back for a week or longer.

With so much to consider, many people prefer to give themselves time to mourn, map out a potential memorial and opt for direct cremation instead. Direct cremation eliminates all of the challenges associated with funeral planning, as you’ll have all the time you need to figure out the details.

Direct Cremation Allows Friends and Family to Remember Their Loved One in a Personal Way

Along with the standard direct cremation package, families can choose to add an urn for their loved one’s cremated remains, which can be a part of a future memorial service. Families can also opt for a basic container that makes it easy to scatter the ashes. Direct cremation can also be rushed within a few days, to help expedite funeral services for any reason.

When a loved one passes away, flexibility is key. A memorial has to be arranged, family members need to be contacted and schedules have to be adjusted. It’s all made more complex by the rushed nature of memorial planning.

Direct cremation services can help slow everything down, giving people time to grieve, and allow them to come up with the perfect way to memorialize their loved one.

What Happens When a Snowbird Dies in Florida?

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 19:08:14 GMT

According to surveys, snowbirds are in relatively better shape than other people their age, but there’s no telling when a death may occur. The only thing snowbirds can do is prepare for this possibility, and that means understanding what your post-death options are and planning for them.

When a Florida snowbird passes away, there are significant legal issues to sort out. This includes estate planning, taxes, and other legal concerns.

It also includes figuring out what to do with the decedent’s remains and how they are to be transported back to their home state (or determining whether or not they will be).

Transporting Human Remains from Florida to Another State or Country and the Challenges Involved

Florida snowbirds are known for keeping their bodies and brains fit, but death is eventual. When it does occur to a loved one, your initial response will likely be to get the decedent’s body to their home state (or nation) as soon as possible. This is understandable, but there are a variety of costs associated with this approach. There are also many logistical hurdles involved

If your loved one was a U.S. citizen prior to passing, you’ll face the following if you’re transporting their body to another state:

An in-person visit to a Florida funeral home – You may be required to make all arrangements in person at the funeral home you’re working with. That means an expensive last-minute plane ticket and expensive hotel stay, along with missed time from work.
Costs to transport and handle the body in Florida – Your loved one’s remains will first need to be transported to a nearby funeral home and then placed in refrigerated storage. The body will require embalming before it can be transported long distances, or you’ll have to pay extra for refrigerated transport. Every part of this process incurs additional costs.
Costs to transport the body across state lines – Transporting a human body over long distances is expensive no matter how you do it. Van transport runs up to $5 a mile, train transport is around $1,000 and air transport can cost several thousand. If your home state is thousands of miles away, transport costs can be prohibitive for others to bear.
Costs to receive the body in the decedent’s home state – A second funeral home will be responsible for receiving the body and preparing it for additional services, if any. There are additional fees for this, along with additional fees for refrigerated storage if it’s required.

Many Florida snowbirds hail from Canada, and if a Canadian citizen dies while in Florida, the process is similar. However, because Canadians must notify their federal government while beginning the transport process, there are typically delays involved. These delays may pile on additional costs associated with holding the decedent’s remains for a longer period of time.

The Direct Cremation Process Provides Florida Snowbirds with a Less Expensive and Faster Alternative

Given the expense and drawn-out process of moving a body, many Florida snowbirds, and their families, are opting for an alternative to traditional memorial services. Direct cremation is one such alternative, and one that’s ideal for Florida snowbirds. Here’s why:

No other family members have to be present to make arrangements – Snowbirds in Florida may be on the other side of the country from the rest of their family members. With direct cremation, all arrangements can be handled online or over the phone. No one will need to book a last-minute plane to ensure your final arrangements are carried out.
The cost of direct cremation is much lower than traditional funeral services – The average cost of a funeral may be $10,000 or more, depending on what services you opt for. The cost of direct cremation is under $1,000, even with additional services (like mailing) included.
You don’t have to get a funeral home involved – The direct cremation process is designed to be as simple as possible, so no funeral home is needed to carry it out. This is ideal for Florida snowbirds because your family members won’t need to meet with a funeral home directly to manage the process. That will save them a lot of time and expense.
Cremated remains can be mailed to any state – Following cremation, the decedent’s remains can be picked up at the cremation service’s facilities in Florida, or they can be mailed to any part of the continental U.S. via the USPS. If you would prefer your family to receive your remains back at your home state, direct cremation greatly reduces the cost and time it takes to do so.

Direct cremation can also be preplanned and prepaid, which can give snowbirds and their loved ones additional peace of mind.

Florida Cremation Services Simplify a Snowbird's Final Arrangements

When a snowbird passes away in Florida, the surviving family members have some difficult decisions ahead of them. The kind of difficult decisions and questions that no Florida snowbird wants to leave with their family.

Preplanning direct cremation resolves many of these concerns, answering questions like:

What were the decedent’s final wishes? Preplanning direct cremation makes your intentions clear, so when it’s time to carry out your final wishes, your family will know what to do without guessing.
Where did they want their remains to be placed? During the preplanning process, you can also pay for the transport of your remains following cremation, so they can be sent where you and loved ones want them.
How is everything going to be paid for? And of course, preplanning also includes pre-paying for cremation services, so your loved ones don’t have to account for unplanned expenses on their own. Your family will be able to focus on the best way to memorialize you.

Along with cremation itself, direct cremation services can also provide one or more death certificates. These can be used for arranging additional memorial services, for estate planning reasons or for accessing benefits.

When a Florida Snowbird Passes, Direct Cremation Services Provide a Dignified Alternative to a Traditional Funeral

Every year, snowbirds flock to Florida cities like Orlando – enough to grow the state’s population by around 5 percent during the winter months. That’s hundreds of thousands of people, and while most of those snowbirds are in good physical and mental health, some do pass away in Florida every year.

Their families are left with the challenge of recovering their remains and figuring out how to arrange everything from many states away. The easiest and most cost-efficient way to do this is with direct cremation services, and preplanning those services ensures the process is automatic and easier on loved ones.

All There is to Know About the Interment of Cremated Remains

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 00:22:14 GMT

Interment refers to the burying or placement of cremated remains in a memorial space dedicated for the purpose. Some of the most common areas to inter ashes include:

Cemeteries
Memorial gardens
Urn gardens
Columbariums

Why should interment be considered? Some religious practices, including Catholicism, discourage the scattering of ashes and promote that church members inter the ashes instead. There is a belief that the separation of the body separates the soul. Families also choose interment so they can visit their loved one and have a place of significance to visit and honor the departed.

It’s important to note that scattering ashes and interring them are two different things. Interment involves permanent (or at least long term) burial or display. As such, the regulations governing scattering and interment are slightly different.

Cemeteries and Memorial Gardens Offer Multiple Interment Options

Many people still want their final disposition to include interment in a cemetery, and cemeteries typically have spaces dedicated for interring ashes. They include:

● A traditional burial or family plot – Some cemeteries offer standard plots to people who still prefer cremation. Because cremation urns take up much less space, though, the cemetery may allow multiple urns in a single plot. This is ideal for people looking for a family plot.

If you’re considering interment in a cemetery, you’ll need to lease a burial plot as if you were burying an intact body. Plot leases are available for many years and give the owner permission to use that location for interment purposes.

A headstone is placed with the buried urn, as is custom in cemeteries.

● An urn garden – Some cemeteries dedicate areas just for burying urns. Called urn gardens, these areas consist of smaller plots designed to accommodate the smaller space that urns take up. Urn gardens are often beautifully landscaped, but there may be additional rules regarding what headstones can be placed with an urn.

● Columbariums – Columbariums are above-ground interment spaces, built into a small mausoleum-like structure. Columbariums are typically part of a larger cemetery and vary greatly in design and layout. Some are placed alongside urn gardens and burial areas, while others have their own dedicated building. In every case, columbarium spaces are leased like burial plots, allowing for long-term interment. Some spaces are large enough to take multiple urns, so they can be used by entire families.

Memorial gardens are also popular interment spots and are similar to cemeteries in what they offer. You’ll find traditional plots, columbariums and urn gardens here, but instead of a headstone, your loved one’s remains will be accompanied with a flat, engraved marker instead of a headstone.

Ashes Can Also be Interred on Private Property, with Permission

If you wish to inter the ashes on private property, the rules are similar to those regarding scattering. You must have written permission from the property owner if you do not own the land yourself.

In most states, you do not require permission to bury the urn if you are the property owner. In fact, some people bury a loved one’s urn in their own yard. However, if you do bury the urn on your own property, you’ll need to either remove the urn if you sell the property, or alert the new property owners of the urn’s presence. It may be impossible to visit your loved one’s remains in the future if you do sell the property, so keep that in mind.

If you choose to bury the urn yourself, ensure it is buried at least 3 feet deep, with a bit of space on either side. This will keep the surrounding soil from shifting and possibly exposing the urn.

Picking the Right Urn for Interring Ashes

Whether you opt for a cemetery plot, columbarium or a piece of private land, you’ll need an urn to hold the ashes. The type of urn you’ll need depends on where it will be interred. Options include:

Stone and metal urns – Urns made from stone and metal are durable and ideal for long-term interment underground. There are many types of durable urns, including urns made from granite, marble, stainless steel, brass, and pewter. Again, there are plenty of options, and these urns can also be used for display in columbariums or inside the home.
Biodegradable urns – Biodegradable urns are made from wood or other materials designed to break down in the soil. They’re the choice for people who want a green form of disposition. Once buried, biodegradable urns decompose within a few weeks, allowing the remains to rejoin the earth.
Ornamental urns – Ornamental urns are decorative and intended for display purposes. They are appropriate for columbariums or for a mantel and come in a variety of colors and designs. Decorative urns are typically made from ceramic and metals, and they can be used to memorialize the deceased without underground interment.

You Can Include a Memorial Service When Interring Ashes

With cremation, memorial services can be arranged with complete flexibility. This includes arranging an interment service, where friends and family can gather, much like a funeral. In fact, some families opt for both funeral services and interment services.

Depending on where the service is held, it may include a religious ceremony along with readings, eulogies and other acts of remembrance. Loved ones have the opportunity to offer a few words and mourn together, so an interment service can be an act of closure for loved ones.

Interring Your Loved One's Ashes Can be an Important Part of the Healing Process

Many people find that interring a loved one’s ashes helps the grieving process. With a place to visit, it can be a comfort knowing that your loved one isn’t forgotten.

Fortunately, the process for interring ashes isn’t complicated, either. You can pre-plan and pre-pay for the process, or you can choose to inter the ashes years after cremation. A cremation service provider can help you with the process and recommend locations for interring ashes

What are the Different Types of Cremation Services Available?

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 18:14:14 GMT

More Americans than ever are opting for cremation. In 2000, only 27 percent of people chose it for their final disposition. In 2020, that number had doubled, and then some, to 56 percent. Projections developed by the Cremation Association of North America state that 80 percent of Americans will choose cremation by 2040.

For the large majority that prefers cremation, the disposition decision comes down to different types of cremation services. Those services include:

● Traditional cremation with a funeral service

● Cremation with a memorial service

● Direct cremation

There’s no right answer between the services above. Which one works the best for your family will depend on several factors.

What Does a Traditional Cremation Include?

What makes traditional cremation “traditional” is a funeral service held prior to cremation. It’s a familiar type of disposition that usually involves readings, eulogies, a viewing and some time for guests and family members to mourn together. This all takes place at a funeral home, and following the end of the funeral, the body is taken to a crematory for cremation. Following cremation, the cremated remains are placed in an urn and given to the family.

Because there’s a viewing and visitation involved, embalming the body is necessary prior to the ceremony. Additional cosmetic work may also be preferred before funeral services.

What Does a Cremation With a Memorial Service Include?

The cremation process does not require a funeral prior to disposition. If preferred, families may opt out of a traditional funeral and have the deceased’s remains cremated first.

Families that choose this option can have a separate memorial service that does not include the body, and therefore does not include a viewing. This is the primary difference between traditional cremation and cremation with a memorial service only. During a memorial service, people gather to remember their loved one as if it were a funeral, with readings and eulogies, but without a casket present.

With cremation, there’s no need to rush memorial arrangements, so many people prefer to wait until everyone can attend the service. This can be weeks, or even months after the decedent’s death.

What Does Direct Cremation Include?

Direct cremation is an emerging alternative to traditional cremation services. Direct cremation services are licensed to manage the cremation process, which starts with recovering the decedent’s remains at the place of death. The remains are taken directly to the funeral home or crematory and placed in refrigeration while the cremation service attains approval for cremation.

Once approval is granted, the decedent is cremated. The cremated remains are placed in a container and held for in person pickup or delivered to the family with mail or courier options.

The difference between direct cremation and other cremation services is that there is no memorial or funeral combined with cremation. Families can still opt for a memorial service at a later date, but it’s not required with direct cremation.

Traditional Cremation, Cremation With a Memorial, and Direct Cremation: A Summary

If you’re still having trouble determining which cremation service is right for you, here’s a quick summary of the most important points:

● Cost – Funeral costs have rapidly increased in recent decades, mostly due to the rise in casket costs. In the last 30 years, funeral expenses have increased at twice the rate of other goods and services. Caskets have risen in cost at an even faster rate. This, plus the use of a funeral home’s staff and facility, adds up to about $7,000, on average.

Cremation with a memorial service can be a couple of thousand dollars less if the memorial is handled directly through the cremation service.

Direct cremation is the least expensive option, averaging a bit more than $1,600. However, a basic direct cremation package may cost less than $1,000. It depends on what services and items, like an urn, are added to the cremation. And it depends on the service provider. Direct cremation will almost always cost more at a funeral home than a company that focuses exclusively on direct cremation.

● Planning process – The funeral planning process is a challenge during the best of times. You’ll need to contact a funeral home, contact family members, and send out notifications about date, time and place. If your loved one had any special requests for their funeral, you’ll need to work with the funeral home to make them happen. Because the decedent should be viewed as soon as possible, funerals must be held within a couple weeks of death.

If cremation will occur before a memorial, then there’s no need to rush the planning process. Some post-cremation memorials take place months after disposition.

● Other considerations – Funeral planning can be extremely complex if the decedent passed in another state. If the funeral is to take place in the decedent’s home state, you’ll need to work with a funeral home in both states to prepare and transport the body.

With direct cremation, the cremated remains can be mailed to any part of the continental U.S., which skips the added cost and complication of moving a body across state lines.

Also, if you’re planning a funeral with cremation, you’ll likely need to be present in-person to finalize the arrangements. This could also be a challenge if your loved one passes away far from home. With direct cremation, arrangements can be finalized online.

Cremation is Growing in Popularity, and Direct Cremation is a Cost-Effective Choice for Many Families

More than half of Americans have already decided on cremation for their final disposition. That trend is only growing, and within a couple of decades the vast majority of people will choose cremation instead of burial and other disposition options.

As the popularity of cremation grows, so does the number of available cremation services. One type, direct cremation, is a departure from traditional funeral and memorial services. It also offers several benefits to families who would rather put together their own memorial event.

What Does the Average Cremation Cost in Florida?

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 19:07:31 GMT

Cremation costs depend on several factors, including where the service is performed. In the U.S., the average cost of cremation is $6,790, according to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA). The state-by-state price can vary greatly, though. Even prices at the city level can be hundreds of dollars apart.

Further, the NFDA’s cremation prices are only relevant for cremations that include a funeral. A popular alternative,

, does not require a funeral home and therefore can be done at a much lower expense.

In fact, the typical cost of direct cremation is several thousand dollars less than a cremation with a funeral, and even less expensive than a traditional funeral and burial. Funeral and cremation pricing can be confusing, though, so we’ll detail the cost comparisons so you know what your options are.

What is the Average Cost of Cremation in Florida?

Nationally, a cremation with a funeral service costs nearly $7,000. At the state level, a typical cremation and funeral costs about the same in Florida ($7,070). Not surprisingly, this puts Florida right around the median in terms of cost.

The bulk of these costs (around $4,000) are associated with the funeral home’s service fees, fees for funeral home staff, and a fee for using their facility during a service. Other fees include embalming, which runs $700 or more, and a cremation casket, which typically costs up to $1,000 to rent.

There are additional funeral costs, too, such as fees for preparing the body cosmetically for the funeral (hair, makeup and possibly some reconstruction), as well as fees to transport the body to the funeral home.

As you can see, traditional funerals can stress any family’s budget, but direct cremation offers an alternative that costs less and provides people with flexibility in how they memorialize a loved one.

The Price of Traditional Cremation vs. Direct Cremation Services

The average cost for a Florida cremation with ceremony is just over $7,000. The average cost of direction cremation in Florida, though, is only $1,673. That means direct cremation costs in Florida are among the lowest in the U.S., ranking in the bottom five or six states.

The much lower price associated with direct cremation is due to a few factors. They include:

No need for funeral homes and funeral home fees – You do not need to involve a funeral home during the direct cremation process. Your only point of contact is the cremation service. Without a funeral home involved, families save thousands on funeral home fees alone.
No need to embalm the remains for cremation – Direct cremation services recover the decedent’s remains, refrigerate them, and cremate them within a couple of weeks. With this reduced timeline, families save hundreds of dollars on embalming fluids and labor. Further, families don’t need to pay for additional cosmetic work needed for an open casket viewing.
No need for an expensive cremation casket – If cremation includes a traditional funeral service, a casket rental will be required for the ceremony. This can cost up to $1,000, and it’s important to note that the decedent is not cremated in it. Instead, the decedent is removed prior to cremation.

An expensive casket is not required for the direct cremation process, so it’s one less cost to account for.

In short, direct cremation is much less expensive because it only includes the services necessary to cremate the remains and return them to the decedent’s family.

Direct cremation minimizes cost, which is important for most people. It also allows families an alternative to a funeral, which may not be preferred by all. Some people would rather have a more private, personal way of remembering loved ones. Direct cremation makes that easy and cost effective to manage.

Orlando Direct Cremation Costs are Lower than the Florida Average

Direct cremation costs in Florida are some of the lowest in the nation, but there are notable differences even among Florida cities. The average cost of direct cremation in Orlando is around $1,600, for example, which is $500 or more less than the state average. Direct cremation costs vary due to local demographics, which means it’s more expensive in rural areas and less expensive in cities like Orlando.

However, even this isn’t the full picture. Although the average cost of direct cremation in Orlando is $1,600, it can be as low as $795, depending on the service provider and cremation package .

Direct Cremation Can Be Customized with Add-on Services

The fee list for a funeral service can be quite long, as it takes additional preparation to manage. Comparatively, the fee list is short for direct cremation and includes:

Basic direct disposer services. Direct disposers are licensed to transport human remains and work with crematories.
Transportation, from place of death to mortuary.
Refrigeration up to the time of cremation.
The crematory’s fee.
And, a basic container for the cremated remains.

This is the minimum required for direct cremation, but many people add on extra services and items that will increase the final cost. Some of those services and items include:

Some folks are very modest and prefer to be cremated in an environmentally friendly casket.
Expedited cremation services.
Delivery of cremated remains to a residence or cemetery with a columbarium.
Mailing of cremated remains.
An urn.

One of the advantages of direct cremation is its potential for customization, which allows families to memorialize their loved ones how they wish.

With Direct Cremation, Families Can Save Their Money for Other Memorial Options

With a traditional funeral attached, burial and cremation are both expensive end-of-life arrangements. That’s true no matter what state or city you live in. Direct cremation services, because they do not include a funeral, cost much less. And they cost even less if you live in a city like Orlando or stick to a basic direct cremation package.

This is especially true if you are shipping a loved one across state lines . By choosing cremation, you can easily ship the cremated remains across state lines, saving thousands of dollars on funeral home costs, embalming, and shipping costs if you were to actually try and transport the body across state lines.

What are the Laws on Scattering Ashes in Florida?

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 19:06:39 GMT

Scattering your loved one’s ashes is a memorable, heartfelt way to say goodbye. It’s also regulated in some areas, so before you plan an informal ash scattering ceremony in Florida or Orlando, make sure you’re doing it by the book.

Ashes are sterile, so they can be safely scattered anywhere without risk to other people or wildlife. Knowing this, the state of Florida makes it easy for families to memorialize their loved ones in this way. There are no state-level laws prohibiting the transport or scattering of cremated remains on public property, so if you decide to scatter them along a roadside or even on a city sidewalk, there’s no law saying you can’t.

However, special rules do apply in certain areas of Florida, especially if you plan on scattering ashes at one of Orlando’s big theme parks (Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Studios). We’ll detail all the potential scattering scenarios below.

Scattering Ashes on Private Property? Get Permission First

If your plan is to scatter the remains on private land, there is only one rule. Before you can scatter the remains, you need permission first. Once you have that permission, you can release the remains from a container of your choice. Simple and straightforward.

Scattering Ashes at Sea? There are a Few Rules to Follow

Scattering ashes over open water remains a popular option for families, but there are regulations to follow. These are defined in the Federal Clean Water Act, which applies to Florida and Orlando coastlines as well. Those guidelines include

Notifying the Environmental Protection Agency ahead of time – The EPA requires notification of scattering at least 30 days in advance. To do this, you can either call the agency or use their online form to provide the necessary information. Most opt for the online form, as it’s quick and simple.
Releasing the ashes far offshore – One of the Federal Clean Water Act’s requirements states that people must be at least three miles offshore when they scatter ashes. This is to prevent those ashes from washing up on the beach and from affecting coastline water quality.

There are multiple boating services in Orlando dedicated to making this possible. They can transport a family out to sea and ensure the remains are released far enough from shore.
Disposing the container separately – If you’re scattering the ashes at sea, you must dispose of the urn separately and not drop it into the water. Alternatively, you could opt for a biodegradable urn, but biodegradable options are tougher to find and more expensive.

Scattering Ashes at a State Park? Talk to a Park Ranger

If the deceased was a lover of the outdoors, then you may decide to scatter the ashes at a state park near Orlando. Lake Kissimmee, Lake Louisa and Wekiwa Springs are all popular destinations for ash scattering, for example.

If you’re planning to release ashes at a Florida state park, you’ll first need to notify one of the park’s rangers. You may be required to speak to the head ranger first. In almost all cases, the ranger will permit the family to scatter the ashes.

Most parks just require people to release the ashes away from high-traffic paths and to scatter them in a way so that they don’t mound up or gather in a single spot. Also, you’re not allowed to leave a marker in the area. Taking a photo will help you remember the spot in case other family members want to visit.

Scattering Ashes at Walt Disney World Resort or Universal Studios? There Could Be Consequences

Orlando’s major theme parks – Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Studios – are places where families make a lot of memories. Unsurprisingly, they’re also places where people go to scatter ashes.

If you’re considering this, you’ll also need to consider the potential consequences of doing so. That’s because Orlando’s major parks prohibit visitors from scattering ashes anywhere on park grounds.

Walt Disney World Resort has received significant attention for this, as it’s gone on the record stating that it will escort visitors from the park if they are caught scattering ashes. In fact, the theme park even has a protocol in place specifically for when a park employee encounters cremated remains. The protocol includes bringing out HEPA vacuums to remove the remains and shutting down an attraction if the remains are dropped during a ride.

Of course, many park visitors attempt to scatter ashes even knowing that there could be repercussions for doing so. Those visitors also have to avoid the thousands of surveillance cameras dotting the park.

Are There Places in Orlando Dedicated for Cremation Remains?

The Orlando-area is a common spot for releasing ashes, so a number of memorial gardens have sprung up for this purpose. Also called scattering gardens, you’ll normally find them attached to or affiliated with a church. Some cremation service providers are also partnered with scattering gardens and can help families locate one following the cremation process.

Relaxed State Laws and Laws in Orlando Make it Easy to Scatter a Loved One's Ashes

The state of Florida and city of Orlando both make it simple for families who want one final memory with their loved one. There are no laws on the books governing the process at the state level, and the only federal regulations are easy to follow – there are even services that can facilitate scattering.

Wherever you choose to memorialize your loved one, you’ll find that it’s easy to do throughout Florida and the Orlando area as long as you follow the location’s guidelines.

Direct Cremation in Florida: What it Costs and How it’s Arranged

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 02:26:47 GMT

Funeral costs have been on the rise for decades, so it’s no surprise that families are looking for a less expensive option. Most funeral fees are related to renting the funeral home itself, as well as the memorial service prior to disposition.

But many families aren’t interested in a traditional funeral or cremation, and they’re certainly not interested in paying the $7,000 or more for them. For many families, that money could be better put to use arranging a personalized, private memorial.

Many Florida families are instead choosing direct cremation for its affordability. But how much does direct cremation cost? That depends on where you live.

The Cost of Cremation Varies From State to State – Here’s How Florida Matches Up With the Rest of the Country

There’s a problem with using averages when illustrating the price of funerals or cremations as those prices depend on where you live. According to some surveys, the average cost of a traditional funeral or cremation can vary by as much as $2,000 from state to state. There may be significant differences at the city level, too. In Florida, for example, Orlando has some of the lowest direct cremation costs in the state, while cities in the northern parts of Florida – like Jacksonville and Tallahassee – may cost several hundred dollars more.

At the state level, though, here’s how Florida’s cremation costs compare:

Traditional cremation – The average cost of a traditional cremation in Florida is $7,070, compared to the national average of $6,970. So, just a hair above the mean.
Direct cremation – The average cost of direct cremation in Florida is $1,683, compared to the national average of $2,183. That’s well under average and puts Florida in the bottom 10 (in a good way) in terms of cost.

Those numbers are provided by Choice Mutual. As you can see, while the price of traditional cremations in Florida is higher than the average, the Sunshine State offers some of the least expensive direct cremation services available. And this is just the average – families may secure even better pricing by limiting the goods and services they purchase.

Why Do Cremation Costs Vary in the U.S. (and Florida)?

Cremation costs are determined by several factors, most of them dependent on local markets. Significant price differences may be due to regional energy prices, the number of service providers in the area, and local cremation rates. In areas where cremation is widely embraced as a form of disposition – like Florida – prices tend to be lower. The opposite is also true – cremation is more expensive in places where cremation rates are lower.

Direct Cremation Services are Designed to Minimize the Cost of End-of-Life Arrangements in Florida

So far, we’ve shown that direct cremation offers the lowest cost in disposition, compared to all other options. But how do direct cremation service providers minimize expenses?

Cut out any funeral homes – Along with the casket, funeral home fees are the major driver of funeral costs. Direct cremation doesn’t require a funeral home and doesn’t require a casket. In fact, the process doesn’t even require family to be present.
Cut out the memorial service – The memorial service is where most of those funeral home fees go, and it often includes a viewing before burial or interment at a cemetery. Although familiar, traditional memorial services may not help every family deal with death. They may find traditional services to be too solemn and out of line with what their loved one would want. Direct cremation allows those families to skip a traditional funeral service and plan something more appropriate for their loved one.
Make the process as efficient as possible – Direct cremation only includes the absolute necessities for disposition. Families may choose to add goods (like an urn,) or services (like additional death certificates or delivery to any lower U.S. location), but the basic package is as cost-efficient as possible in Florida.

The Direct Cremation Process: Simple, Convenient and Flexible

Direct cremation is just gaining traction in the U.S., so many Americans aren’t familiar with how the process works. Fortunately, direct cremation isn’t just inexpensive, it’s easy to arrange. Here’s what families can expect prior to and during direct cremation:

Arrangements are made online or over the phone – There’s no need for an in-person consultation when arranging direct cremation. Everything can be done online, without speaking to a single person. All the family has to do is provide information about the deceased, including the place of death if it has already occurred. Once services are confirmed, the direct cremation provider will be on standby until notified of death.
When death occurs, a recovery team is sent to retrieve the body – Once death does occur, a trained recovery team is sent to the location and retrieves the body. This assumes death has officially been declared by an attending physician.
The remains are transported to the morgue for refrigeration – Direct cremation services provide all necessary transportation, including transportation to the morgue. Embalming isn’t required (or recommended) for direct cremation. Instead, the remains are kept in refrigerated storage until approval for disposition is granted by the state.
The service provider will assist with getting cremation approval from the state – It can take several days to get the go-ahead for cremation. Most states have laws on the books regarding a mandatory waiting period. During this time, the service provider will help the family attain all necessary approval forms and fill them out. The service provider can also attain one or more death certificates for loved ones, as these may be important for benefits purposes.
The body is then taken to the crematory for disposition – Once approval is granted, the remains are transported to the crematory, where disposition takes place under the direct cremator’s supervision. Following this, the ashes are recovered and placed in a container or urn. An identifying metal disc kept with the decedent ensures that the right ashes are recovered and packaged for the family.
The ashes are returned to the family – The direct cremation service will temporarily store the ashes in their facilities. They can be held until picked up, delivered by vehicle (within a limited distance), or packaged and delivered to anywhere in the lower 48 states. They can be divided into multiple packages and mailed to several loved ones, if desired.

Since there is no memorial or viewing involved, all of the above can take place without anyone in attendance. Besides cost, this flexibility is a major reason for direct cremation’s emerging popularity. Many families have elderly loved ones in Florida who have retired or are escaping the winter cold. Direct cremation allows people to arrange disposition from the comfort of their home for those long-distance family members when death does occur.

Has a Loved One Passed in Florida? A Trusted Direct Cremation Service Can Guide Families Through Disposition

Florida is one of America’s direct cremation capitals, with plenty of reputable service providers to choose from and a consumer-friendly market that keeps costs down for families.

It’s also a dignified, low-stress disposition option. Direct cremation is simple to arrange and allows families maximum flexibility in how they plan a future memorial. It’s rare for the least expensive option to also be the easiest one to arrange, but in Florida, that’s the case with direct cremation.

Why More People Are Choosing Direct Cremation

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 18:27:23 GMT

Why More People Are Choosing Direct Cremation

According to many surveys, cremation is America’s number one disposition choice. This is a stark difference from just 50 years ago, when people chose a cremation service only 5 percent of the time.

In fact, cremation has grown in popularity so fast that alternatives to traditional cremation services are emerging. Direct cremation is one such alternative and offers several benefits to families who, for whatever reason, aren’t interested in a traditional ceremony.

While data for direct cremations isn’t tracked as closely in the U.S., other western countries are reporting a steady rise in direct cremation popularity. That trend is taking root in the U.S. as well. There are several reasons for this, including:

1) Cost: Direct Cremation Costs up to 90 Percent Less Than a Traditional Burial

Funeral expenses have rocketed upwards over the decades. Everything is much more expensive than it was 25 years ago – a little more than 50 percent more expensive, based on average consumer goods. The price of funeral arrangements has increased by 112 percent in that same timeframe. Funeral caskets have increased by about the same amount, so the cost of a traditional funeral service and burial is way beyond what the average family can manage.

Direct cremation is the lower cost option for those families. There’s no casket to purchase, no funeral home to rent, and no memorial service to arrange. This removes the major expenses from the disposition process.

Families can expect to pay somewhere between $800 and $2,000 for direct cremation. Compare this to traditional funerals and burials, which cost about $8,000 on average, or a traditional cremation, which is a bit less than that. The actual cost depends on where services will be held, and there are areas where a traditional funeral and burial is more than $12,000.

With numbers that high, it is easy to understand why cost is the number one reason more people are considering direct cremation.

2) Simplicity: Direct Cremation Arrangements Can Be Managed Online or Over the Phone

A direct cremation provider oversees every part of the process. The only thing loved ones need to do is schedule service and arrange for receiving the cremains. This can be done within minutes online, and there’s no need to speak to anyone, if that’s what’s preferred.

For many families, it may be impossible to easily arrange a funeral. If a loved one passes away in a place that’s thousands of miles away from other family members, there may not be anyone nearby to visit the funeral home in-person. That’s a problem because funeral homes typically require an in-person consultation before services can be arranged.

With direct cremation, there’s no need to be physically present during any part of the process.

3) Guidance: Direct Cremation Companies Can Help Clients Get Important Forms Needed for the Process

Direct cremation providers are disposition experts, so they know what paperwork families will need during and following cremation. Multiple cremation approval forms are necessary to finalize disposition. A family member will need to complete them, but direct cremation services can provide them and help clients fill them out.

Direct cremation companies can also procure copies of the death certificate and help acquire any forms for benefits purposes, including VA, Social Security, FEMA and others.

4) Privacy: Direct Cremation Is a Private Ceremony That Only Involves Family Members

The funeral’s cultural role has changed over the decades. There was a time when funerals were a social event that included many people on the outside edge of the decedent’s social or professional circle.

Many modern families no longer embrace this aspect of funerals. They want a private ceremony that only involves close family members and friends – a ceremony where playing host while managing grief isn’t necessary.

Direct cremation is 100 percent private. No one is required to attend disposition in person and memorials can be organized for any time in the future, so there’s no pressure to invite a bunch of people for what should be a personal experience.

5) Personalization: Families May Choose to Honor Their Loved One How They Wish With Direct Cremation

Memorials are extremely easy to manage following direct cremation. For obvious reasons, traditional memorial services must be carried out immediately if they precede burial. With cremation, loved ones can schedule a memorial with family and friends well after death occurs. It’s common for families to wait up to a year before organizing a celebration of life. This flexibility gives families time to process the loss and come up with a memorial that properly honors their loved one, whether it’s spreading the ashes in a favorite spot, burying an urn in a special garden, or placing the urn on display, like in a columbarium.

6) Green: Direct Cremation Is an Environmentally-Friendly Form of Disposition

Direct cremation is material-efficient, involves no embalming chemicals, and doesn’t require a patch of land or a burial plot to carry out. In fact, some people turn their disposition into an environmentally focused event. Some urns are designed to biodegrade and grow flowers, or even a tree. Others are designed to safely disintegrate in water, which allows for at-sea burials, and some have their ashes integrated into a reef.

For those passionate about the environment, direct cremation offers the most green-friendly options.

7) Safe: Direct Cremation Companies Are Held to a Rigid Code of Ethics and Regulations

Direct cremation companies are regulated by the FTC’s Funeral Rule, which applies to all businesses in the funeral industry. The Funeral Rule requires direct cremation companies and all disposition providers to provide a General Price List (GPL) that includes the following:

Details and expenses associated with all items and services
A full price list of all available caskets and their physical descriptions
Reminders that consumers do not have to purchase a casket for direct cremation
Reminders that consumers do not need to purchase a package service for disposition
Disclosures that alert consumers to what they need, at the minimum, for disposition

The FTC requires disposition services to provide the GPL as soon as any discussions about services or pricing comes up. Some states further regulate direct cremation companies. In Florida, direct cremation services must be licensed as “direct disposers” before they may provide services. Licensure includes commitment to a code of ethics and best practices in recovering and handling the body.

Direct Cremation Is Affordable, Simple and Designed for Modern Families

Americans have embraced cremation as their disposition practice of choice, and direct cremation is following suit. In many ways, direct cremation is perfectly suited for modern families who need a low-cost , simple form of disposition that still provides the dignity and care that people expect from an end-of-life ceremony. Direct cremation offers all of that, and is positioned to become one of America’s top choices in disposition.

cremation-specialists-of-florida

How Direct Cremation Can be Customized for Families

What Does the Base Direct Cremation Package Include?

What Customization Options are Available with Direct Cremation Services?

Three Ways Customization Can Help With Disposition Arrangements

Get the Disposition Details Right by Customizing a Direct Cremation Package

How to Ensure Your Final Wishes are Carried Out

Cremation Preplanning: How to Ensure Your Final Wishes are Carried Out

Detail Your Desired Final Arrangements, and Not Just in Your Will

Look into Creating an Advance Directive Should You Become Incapacitated

Pick a Trusted Person to Grant Durable Power of Attorney To

Communicate Your Wishes to Your Loved Ones

Consider Funding Your Cremation Arrangements Ahead of Time

Consider Funding Your Cremation Arrangements Ahead of Time

How Long Does Direct Cremation Take?

The Disposition Timeline

What Happens Once the Cremains are Recovered?

What About a Memorial Service?

Direct Cremation is Designed to Be Quick and Easy for Families to Manage

Direct Cremation: Disposition for the Modern Age

Cost: Direct Cremation is Affordable Even When Finances are Stressed

Privacy: Direct Cremation is an Alternative to a Large Funeral

Convenience: Direct Cremation is Quick and Simple to Plan, Regardless of Location

Personalization: Direct Cremation Gives Families Complete Control Over the Memorial Service

Direct Cremation is the Modern Disposition Choice for U.S. and Florida Families

Direct Cremation: A Dignified Form of Disposition

People Are Changing the Way They Think About Traditional Funerals

How the Direct Cremation Process Preserves a Loved One’s Dignity

Direct Cremation is Carried Out By Licensed, Trained Professionals

Direct Cremation Services Ensure the Right Cremains are Returned to the Family

Direct Cremation Allows Families to Create a Personalized Memorial

Direct Cremation Also Allows Families to Grieve Privately

Direct and Dignified, Cremation Can Now Fit into Any Family’s Memorial Plans ﻿

What Is the Difference Between Direct Cremation and a Traditional Cremation?

What Does “Traditional” Mean When Referring to Traditional Cremation?

What Do Direct Cremation Services Include?

Three Reasons Why Families Are Choosing Direct Cremation Over Other Cremation Services

Direct Cremation Is a Modern, Cost Efficient Approach to the Process

Seven Things to Know About Direct Cremation

1) The decedent isn’t taken directly to the crematory from the place of death

2) Direct cremation is the least expensive form of disposition

3) Direct cremation doesn’t include a memorial service or funeral service

4) Consumer protection regulations that apply to other forms of disposition also apply to direct cremation

5) There are a few government benefit programs that can help with direct cremation costs

6) A direct cremation service can deliver or ship the decedent’s cremains to any place in the continental U.S.

7) Direct cremation services can be preplanned like other disposition options

Direct Cremation Provides Families With a Low Cost, High Flexibility Disposition Option

Cremation Concerns? Answering the Tough Questions About Direct Cremation Services

If I Choose Direct Cremation Can We Still Have a Memorial Service?

Are Direct Cremation Services Regulated Like Other Businesses in the Funeral Industry?

Are There Any Hidden Costs of Direct Cremation?

How Will My Loved One’s Body Be Handled Prior to Cremation?

Can the Ashes Be Scattered After Direct Cremation?

How do Direct Cremation Services Guarantee They Provide the Right Ashes?

What If My Loved One Passes Away in Florida While on Vacation?

Can I Plan Direct Cremation Services Ahead of Time?

Five Benefits of Direct Cremation

1) Direct Cremation Services are Simple and Quick to Arrange

2) Direct Cremation is the Most Affordable Option

3) A Direct Cremation Service Offers Flexibility to Families

4) Direct Cremation is a Regulated Process That Requires Licensing

5) Direct Cremation is the Environmentally Sustainable Disposition Choice

Direct Cremation is Well-Suited for all Kinds of Families, in all Kinds of Situations

A Brief History of Direct Cremation

Cremation: A Practice That Spans Millennia

The Rise of Christianity and the Fall of Cremation in Europe

Public Health Brings Cremation Back to the Fore

Direct Cremation Emerges as a Popular Alternative to Traditional Funerals

Today, Direct Cremation is Making New History as a Leading Disposition Choice

How to Have the Cremation Conversation with Your Family

Addressing Disposition Resolves a Lot of Death-Related Anxiety

Five Basic Questions to Answer About Your Final Arrangements

How Can People Ensure Their Cremation Wishes are Carried Out?

Death is an Uncomfortable Subject, But the Conversation is Worth Having

Six Ways to Honor a Loved One’s Cremains

1. Pick an Urn That Fits Your Loved One

2. Store the Ashes in a Columbarium

3. Keep Them Close in a Piece of Jewelry

4. Scatter Them on the Ocean, or Inter Them Under the Water

5. Send Them into the Sky, or Higher

Direct and Dignified, Cremation Can Now Fit into Any Family’s Memorial Plans

The Cremation Authorization Form

2) There are Numerous Memorial Gardens, Columbariums and Cemeteries in and Around Orlando

3) Florida’s Laws Make it Easy for Families to Spread or Bury Their Loved One’s Ashes