Why Many Choose a Cremation Without a Service
Cremation's popularity rises, religious affiliation drops
Cremation is now the most popular final choice of Americans, with the cremation rate expected to reach over 80% by 2045, according to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA). According to the group's report, there are a number of factors that have contributed to the trend, including:
- Cost considerations
- Environmental concerns
- Fewer religious prohibitions
- A desire for simple funeral ceremonies
The NFDA says that the number of those without a religious affiliation has also contributed to the decline in traditional funeral services.
These factors have also led to the popularity of arranging cremation without a service.
Direct cremation: Low cost, no immediate service needed
The prices of traditional burial services — and all the extra features they include — tend to run high. According to the NFDA, the average U.S. burial costs around $10,000 once all services and funeral options are included. Traditional cremation, while significantly less at an average cost of $6,280 with similar services, can still be beyond the budget for many.
Direct cremation may be the best choice for those who want to keep funeral costs down and have a simple option without a service.
Choosing direct cremation, also known as simple cremation or cremation without a service, generally offers the most affordable option of all. The direct cremation cost is lower than the full-service cremation packages because with direct cremation, you pay only for the cremation service itself. The deceased is cremated immediately, and the remains are returned in a simple container (often a cardboard box). Most providers offer many of the basic features of a full-service cremation package, but without some of the support and frills that can create additional costs.
Most direct cremation providers offer prices below $1,000, but the national average is nearly $2,000. You are then free to arrange a memorial service after cremation that's as simple or elaborate as your preferences and your budget will allow. Direct cremation is a low-cost alternative that skips costly items like expensive caskets and coffins, but in most cases, staff may still assist with paperwork, including filing for a death certificate. The immediate cremation gives families time to consider what, if anything, they'd like to do to honor their loved one in lieu of a traditional service.
Direct cremation opens alternatives to traditional goodbyes
The change in attitudes about religion has also increased the number of people who choose cremation without scheduling a service. Some may opt to hold a later gathering (some of which are increasingly a "celebration of life" memorial), or they may hold a simple gathering at home, a favorite restaurant, or in nature.
For those choosing traditional or direct cremation, there are nearly infinite ways to say goodbye. There is no right way to celebrate the life of a loved one, just the option that brings family together to share stories, laughter, and tears. A family may even opt for a traditional funeral even with a later cremation, depending on their religious beliefs, customs, and family traditions.
Direct cremation allows for a more flexible schedule
One challenge of working with a traditional funeral home, aside from the cost, is that they often follow a strict schedule to keep everything on track.
Cremation, however, does not require immediate planning of a memorial service. While your loved one can certainly be embalmed for a wake or visitation prior to traditional cremation, it is also possible to arrange for a funeral at a later date to allow for more time to plan and gather. With direct cremation, funeral services are not included, meaning you can arrange a memorial or other service at your own pace according to your own schedule. A direct cremation, by its nature, takes place immediately, leaving you time to organize a gathering at a later date with your family.
Direct cremation opens alternatives for celebration
Many funeral homes offer packages to make the decision-making process easier for families. While this is helpful for many, for others, an "à la carte" pricing and options would be better.
What to think about when considering a package price
- Some plans may be more flexible than others, but in the end, your choices could be restricted by what the funeral home is able — and willing — to offer.
- You may find that there are personal touches you would like to add that simply are not available.
- It is also possible that you will end up paying for extra services or benefits that you do not want or need, simply because they are included in the package that best fits what you're looking for. Items like a guest book or thank you cards may not be necessary.
If, on the other hand, you choose to arrange a direct cremation with no funeral service, such restrictions won't apply. You'll be free to go to another provider to arrange a funeral or memorial for you, or to arrange it yourself to ensure that every detail is just right. This can be particularly helpful if you find that your local funeral home does not have services that align with your or your loved one's religious or spiritual beliefs. It also opens up more personal possibilities, including a simple home funeral or a more unique service with elements which a typical funeral home may not be able or willing to provide.
Direct cremation opens a wide array of location options
An additional benefit to cremation is that it opens up more possibilities for a final resting place. With most burials, your options of where to say your final goodbye are typically limited to places like cemeteries, mausoleums, and churchyards. It is sometimes possible to bury a loved one on private land or to conduct a burial at sea, but even where local laws allow it, it can be challenging and costly to arrange transportation of your loved one to the site — especially if it is far from where they passed away.
How and where to spread or store 'ashes'
Cremated remains, commonly called "ashes," however, can be spread, buried, or interred in a much wider range of locations. The urn can be kept in a family home, or you can purchase a small columbarium niche in which to store the ashes. If you still want your loved one to rest in a cemetery or churchyard, you can still arrange for their urn to be buried underground, or for their ashes to be spread in a scattering garden. Many choose memorial items for cremated remains, like jewelry or keepsakes, and ashes can be divided so that many family members can keep a portion of them. Some choose to have a small scattering ceremony, spreading cremated remains in a special place (be sure to check local laws and ask permission on private property). Others might choose something more adventurous, like sending cremated remains to space or in fireworks, or having ashes made into a record, or a tattoo.
Direct cremation offers transportation flexibility
It’s also much easier and more cost-effective to transport an urn versus a casket. If, for example, your loved one passed away on the East Coast but wanted to be taken home to San Francisco to be laid to rest, you could easily arrange a scattering ceremony at sea, by air, or on land on the other side of the country for half the cost — and half the hassle — of a traditional funeral. No matter where you plan to store or scatter ashes, one of the benefits of direct cremation services is that the cremated remains will be returned to the family either delivered by the postal service or picked up by a family member.
Why direct cremation services are popular
Whether you’re concerned about price, scheduling, convenience, or arranging a more unique service, direct cremation is for many the best option available. Direct cremation offers a simple solution for a low cost cremation and leaves you free to arrange a fully personalized memorial service that fits both your budget and your loved one’s last wishes. Arranging direct cremation is a straightforward process that begins with just a single phone call or online consultation. Whether you choose a local funeral home or a service like Tulip Cremation, an experienced funeral director or team member can walk you through your options and help you decide what's right for you.
Why plan ahead for cremation services?
While most people agree that planning ahead is a good idea, less than half actually do it. But by taking part in pre planning, your personal preferences for your own funeral plans can be made clear to your family after you are gone. If having a traditional funeral service is not important to you or your loved ones, you could potentially save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. Beyond cremation, you can also consider body donation, where your body is used for medical science or medical research. There are also a number of new methods of disposition, including "composting," also known as terramation or organic reduction, that are growing in popularity.
Why choose Tulip for direct cremation?
For the highest-quality service and the lowest price, consider Tulip Cremation. Our direct cremation service is low-cost and transparent, simple to arrange and easy to navigate. Our Care Team and licensed funeral directors are available 24/7 to answer questions and make arrangements, and we’ll keep you up-to-date throughout each stage of our process. We will help you with the necessary paperwork, including death certificates, and all can be done from the comfort of home. We’ll never sell you anything you don’t need, and you’ll never have to worry about hidden fees or surprise last-minute expenses. Our priority is helping families like yours through a difficult time by providing a service you can trust, at a price you can afford. Call us or visit our website anytime to get started.
Tulip Cremation’s direct cremation service includes transportation, preparation, and dignified private cremation, plus return shipping of your loved one’s ashes in a simple urn via USPS Priority Mail Express. Feel free to contact our Care Team whenever you need us by calling us at (844) 942-4909, or arrange online quickly and easily.