BREAKING NEWS: Direct Cremation Costs! It’s not breaking news that funeral services have increased in price. The reassuring news is that the latest research from the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) shows the pace has at least slowed down a little and isn’t as high as the record inflation levels we’ve seen in recent years. But that may be because the cost of funeral services jumped 21% higher between 1999 and 2009. And it increased almost another 20% between 2010 and 2021.
So to hear that funeral services have only increased 6.6%-11.3% between 2016 and 2021 is somewhat encouraging, however, it doesn’t take into account the extremely high inflation we’ve seen in the last few years. Once those numbers are in, the increase in prices may be more stark.
But not all funeral-related services have steadily increased in price. It turns out direct cremation prices have remained largely unchanged over the last decade.
Direct Cremation Prices in 2012
The NFDA’s 2014 Cremation and Burial Report provided information on pricing from the previous two years. At the very end of the report there’s a section on direct cremation. Direct cremation services don’t include a viewing or funeral service where the body is present.
Data based on 2012 transactions showed that 35% of cremation services provided by funeral homes were direct cremations. The median price for the service was $2,260.
That’s remarkably close to the cost of direct cremation today. Flame cremation is typically around $1,000 while water cremation is often around $2,500. Services from direct cremation providers like Direct Cremate are even more affordable. Our cremation options start at just $545. That’s well below what was being charged in 2012. More than a decade ago direct cremation providers charged $1,348.
Why Direct Cremation Costs Have Remained Affordable
From the beginning direct cremation has been cost-effective because it’s simple. Over the years the process hasn’t changed much. If anything, it’s gotten more efficient, which helps reduce costs.
Direct cremation is also more popular today than it was in 2012. There are more direct cremation providers and more options than before, which has helped keep the price range reasonable. In larger cities where there are multiple direct cremation providers you’re likely to find competitive rates. Funeral homes often feel pressure to match the rates of direct cremation providers, not the other way around.
If you are interested in simple, affordable direct cremation, give our team a call or text. We can help you arrange cremation services whether you need to handle disposition of a loved one immediately or you’re planning cremation services for yourself in the distant future.
