Identifying and Reducing the Costs of Cremation Services

Cremation is generally far more affordable than burial, but some families may still find an unexpectedly high funeral cost difficult to manage. A cremation service is made up of multiple components, some of which are required and some of which can be avoided. Those who are looking to reduce the cost of their cremation Albany may want to consider alternatives to some of the nonessential costs.

Embalming and Other Preparation

It is commonly assumed that embalming is required following a family member's death, but this isn't true. In fact, there are some religions that require that embalming not be performed. For a cremation, embalming does not need to be done as long as the cremation service is to be performed soon enough.

Hiring a Funeral Director

A funeral director is not necessary for cremation services in most states. A funeral director simply arranges for the loved one to be transported and cremated as necessary. This can be done by a family member instead, by calling the crematorium directly. Naturally, some families would prefer that a funeral director handle the arrangements for them.

Renting a Casket

Loved ones are generally not cremated within traditional caskets. Instead, an inner cremation-approved casket is usually placed inside of a "display casket," and is removed from the outer shell and slid into the crematorium. A display casket can be very expensive if purchased, but it can instead be rented for a one-time use.

A display casket is entirely unnecessary if funeral services are done without an open casket and instead the loved one is sent directly to the crematorium.

Purchasing an Urn

Urns can become quite expensive depending on the materials used and the personalization involved. An urn does not need to be purchased right away, but can be instead purchased later on when funds become available. A very simple container is usually included in the purchase of the cremation service, which can serve as a temporary resting place. For those who will be scattering the ashes of their loved one, the purchase of an urn may be entirely unnecessary.

A cremation parlor will usually be willing to work with family members to reduce costs or to arrange financing for the cremation. Individuals seeking to arrange their own final services may be able to get them at a discounted, affordable price by arranging their services in advance.