What Are Direct Cremation Services?

There are actually lots of different kinds of cremation services in Austell, GA, all varying in cost and included services. One type of cremation that’s becoming more and more popular for many reasons is direct cremation.

A direct cremation is when the body is cremated right after death without any preceding ceremony. Some funeral homes offer direct cremation, as do many crematoriums. Direct cremations can be a lot more affordable than funerals or other cremations as they skip potentially expensive add-ons and services like caskets and embalming.

There is no visitation, wake, or viewing with a direct cremation, so the body doesn’t need to be embalmed. Family, loved ones, or executors can also choose to have the body cremated in a simple container, rather than a traditional and more expensive casket, as there is no need for ornamentation for a viewing or service. Direct cremation allows the bereaved to plan a memorial service later after the cremation, allowing for scheduling flexibility so more people can attend. The longer timeline also allows the family extra time to make the service more creative and personal.

Most direct cremation packages include services other than the cremation itself, from transporting the body to the crematory to completing a death certificate form. Be sure to ask your cremation provider for a specific list of services in their direct cremation.

Don’t forget to plan for the cremated remains after the direct cremation. There are many options, such as burying them in a crematory plot, columbarium, pre-determined cemetery, or scattering them in a meaningful place. Do remember, though, that there are added costs for internment like headstones, cemetery fees, grave markers, endowment or perpetual care, and columbarium or plot fees.

The Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule has laws that protect your direct cremation rights, such as:

• You are not required to purchase or use a casket
• The crematory or funeral home must furnish a wood box or alternate container for the direct cremation
• The funeral home or crematory must return the remains to you in an urn provided by yourself. If you do not provide an urn, they will return the remains to you in a basic container.

A direct cremation is a desirable option if you are looking to avoid costs such as preparing the body, casket, extensive transportation, or funeral services, or if you are looking for a simple way to honor the deceased. But there is no wrong choice when it comes to final disposition.

Davis-Struempf Funeral Home & Crematory is here if you want to learn more about direct cremations, or other Austell, GA, cremation services. We offer a range of cremation services, and our years of industry experience and an emphasis on customer service make us ready to help you with whatever you need in your time of loss. Please stop by and visit us or call us for more information on what we can do for you. Find out more about our caring funeral and cremation services by visiting our online platform. Our site is crafted to support you through these tough times, providing the essential assistance and information you need to honor your departed with reverence and compassion.