This page goes line by line through what direct cremation includes and what you pay for. For the short answer to what it is, see What is direct cremation?
What is direct cremation?
Direct cremation is a simple form of final disposition. The person is cremated without a traditional funeral service or viewing at that time.
The key word is direct. It describes how the person gets to cremation. It says nothing about how much love or meaning a family can bring to a memorial.
You can choose direct cremation and still hold a beautiful ceremony later. Some families prefer it that way, because it gives them time to gather, travel, pick a place, or work out what kind of memorial feels right.
After.com also describes direct cremation as a way to separate the disposition from a traditional ceremony. See After.com's direct cremation guide and Cremation Without a Funeral Home.
What is usually included?
A direct-cremation price may cover some mix of:
- bringing the person into the provider's care
- required permits and paperwork
- basic care of the body
- the cremation itself
- a basic or temporary container for the remains
- returning the cremated remains, or having you pick them up
There's no national standard for this, though.
Don't assume "direct cremation" means the same package everywhere.
What may cost extra?
Possible extra charges include:
- transportation outside the normal service area
- faster or after-hours transfer
- extra copies of death certificates
- upgraded urns
- memorial services
- viewing or visitation
- keepsakes
- shipping
- burial in a cemetery
- special handling
- third-party fees
The exact list depends on the provider and the state.
Does direct cremation mean no funeral?
No.
It usually means no traditional funeral service comes bundled into the immediate arrangement.
A family can still arrange:
- a memorial at home
- a celebration of life at a restaurant or community center
- a religious service
- an outdoor gathering
- a private family ceremony
- a burial of the ashes later
The ceremony can be the family's own, planned without the provider.
Do you need a funeral home for direct cremation?
That depends on the state and on the tasks involved.
Some states let families do more themselves. Others require a licensed funeral director for transportation, permits, filing the death certificate, or overseeing the disposition.
Check the rules for the state where the death happens in HonestFarewell's state-law directory.
How long does direct cremation take?
The cremation itself is only one part of the timeline.
Before it can happen, there may be:
- identification
- authorization
- completing the death certificate
- release by the medical examiner or coroner
- cremation permits
- the provider's schedule
- transportation
- processing and return of the remains
Ask the provider for a realistic start-to-finish timeline. "How long does cremation take?" only covers one step.
What should I ask a direct-cremation provider?
Ask these eight questions:
- What is the total price?
- What exactly is included?
- Who transports the body?
- Are permits and filing included?
- How many death certificates are included?
- What container do we receive the remains in?
- What costs can be added later?
- When and how will we receive the cremated remains?
A provider who answers these clearly is giving you far more than a low starting price.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to be cremated?
Direct cremation is often the lowest-cost cremation because it leaves out viewing, embalming, a ceremony, and other optional services. The lowest advertised price isn't always the lowest final bill, so compare the complete package.
Is direct cremation dignified?
Yes. Dignity comes from how someone is cared for. The number of services you buy has nothing to do with it.
Can family members witness a direct cremation?
Some crematories let families witness the cremation or identify the person privately, but direct cremation packages don't automatically include this. Ask the provider and check your state's rules.
Can we have a memorial after direct cremation?
Yes. There's no general rule that the memorial has to come before cremation.
Does direct cremation include an urn?
It may include a temporary container. A decorative or permanent urn is often an extra purchase.