Cremation Services at Affordable Prices

The high cost of conventional funerals is causing many individuals to look at what cremation services in Albany have to offer. Although cremation services are less expensive than traditional funerals, they can still be expensive for people living on a budget, especially if a loved one dies unexpectedly without leaving plans for burial costs. The following tips can help relatives find cremation services at affordable costs.

Compare Prices Online

The cost of cremation services may vary from one funeral home to another. By comparing prices online, consumers can get a better idea of prices in their area. “Direct cremation” is one of the most affordable options as it involves no embalming, viewing or memorial service. The essentials of direct cremation Albany involves picking up the decease's body, completing legal paperwork, the actual cremation and ensuring the ashes are turned over to the decease's family. 

Have Memorial Service at Home

Families who desire a memorial service can always arrange for a private ceremony in their home or at a favorite public location such as a local beach or park. Arranging a private ceremony enables families to commemorate the life of their loved one in a meaningful way without accruing large funeral costs. The responsibilities of the services can be divided equally among family members to include setting up the décor, food, drinks, mementos, etc. In this way, everyone shares in the work and financial cost. The urn with their loved one’s ashes can be present at the memorial for people to pay their last respects.

Purchase a Low-Cost Urn

Family members have various options for dealing with a loved one’s ashes once the body is cremated. If ashes are to be scattered, there’s no need to invest in an urn. Families can simply request that the ashes be placed in a plastic container that the funeral home provides to be scattered later on. If the ashes are to be kept, relatives should consider purchasing a proper urn to store the remains.

Purchasing an urn from the funeral home may add $50 or more to the funeral cost. Less expensive urns can be found in many local department stores as well as online. An attractive urn is more appropriate for storing or displaying the ashes in a relative’s home. 

By choosing cremation services, family members make sure their loved one receives a proper funeral at an affordable cost.   

4 Advantages of Cremation Over a Traditional Burial

Dealing with the death of a loved one is never easy, and family members may feel overwhelmed with everything involved afterward. One of the biggest decisions is choosing between cremation Albany or a traditional burial in a casket. For many families, opting for cremation makes much more sense for a variety of reasons. Here are four distinct benefits of going this route.  

1) Affordability

First and foremost, cremation is much more cost-effective than a burial. When adding up all of the costs involved with a burial such as a casket, headstone, cemetery fee and grave site, the costs can really add up in a hurry. At the very least, it's going to be a minimum of $3,200. On the other hand, cremation in Albany can cost as little as $895. For families that don't have thousands of dollars to spend, cremation is by far the better choice.  

2) Simplicity

With a burial, there are a lot of extra steps involved with the process including embalming, a formal funeral, choosing flower arrangements, etc. When a family is already grieving, this can make things even more stressful and contribute to added complications. Opting for cremation still allows family and friends to hold a remembrance ceremony, but without all of the other distractions.

3) Portability of Moving Remains

One advantage that isn't so obvious involves the ease with which an urn can be transported. If a family chooses to move, it would be a major hassle to visit a grave site of a deceased loved one. However, cremated remains can be moved with ease so family members can pay respect whenever they need. 

4) Environmentally-Friendly 

Finally, this choice is beneficial from an environmental standpoint as well. Not only does it save land, but it reduces the number of trees that have to be cut down to accommodate grave sites. Besides this, research shows that traditional burials hurt the environment in several ways. For example, the metals from a casket are bad for soil, and the chemicals found in embalming fluid can adversely affect the environment as well. Cremation is significantly better in this respect. 

When weighing all of the advantages of cremation in Albany, it's easy to see why many families choose it over a traditional casket burial. Not only does it make sense from a financial perspective, but it makes it easier on family members and reduces the impact on the environment.