People have a lot of questions about death care, and as the industry continues to rapidly evolve those questions are changing. If you’re looking for information, the Cremation.Green team has answers. Every day we talk to many families that are trying to get through the process of arranging death care services. It’s something that most people know little to nothing about until they have to figure it out on the fly.
If you’re one of those people, this article is for you. In it you’ll get succinct answers to some of the most common questions about death care today.
How much does a funeral service cost today?
This is possibly the most common question about death care – and for good reason. The cost for a funeral service varies a lot, in part because there are more disposition options today. And there are also many related costs that are optional. If you’re looking for an average number, the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) tracks costs annually. Their latest data puts the average cost of a traditional burial at $8,300 and a traditional cremation at $6,280.
However, if you choose to forgo the services provided by the funeral home it will be a lot less. For instance, Cremation.Green offers direct cremation services for $1,595 – and it’s eco-friendly.
Are bodies cremated one at a time or with other people?
It’s a legitimate question, but there should be no cause for concern. State laws require that crematoriums only cremate one body at a time. These laws are in place to help ensure that the family gets the cremated remains of their loved one and no one else.
Something to note is the typical amount of cremains that are produced, which can provide reassurance that you’re getting the cremains of just one person. Typically, the weight of the cremains is 3.5% of the person’s body weight.
What assurance do families have that they are getting their loved one’s cremains?
The state provides assurance with laws that make it clear only one body can be cremated at once. If a crematorium is caught breaking the law they will almost certainly lose their license.
Crematoriums also have to follow identification procedures to ensure they know who the deceased is throughout the entire process. At every stage there is an ID tag with the deceased. And just before the body is cremated the ID is verified again.
Is there a shortage of burial plots?
You may have heard that burial plots are becoming more scarce, and in some places this is true. However, that’s not the case everywhere at this time. But you can count on burial plots becoming more expensive as space do become more scarce, which will happen over time since
How long after a death does cremation take place?
Usually cremations can happen very quickly, but typically it takes a few days at least. Many places have a mandatory 48-hour waiting period and there needs to be a death certificate. But if the medical examiner is conducting a death investigation it can take longer. It’s not uncommon for it to take 1-2 weeks before a cremation takes place.
Why aren’t the new forms of disposition offered everywhere?
Each state creates its own laws regarding disposition. That’s why water cremation and natural organic reduction (NOR) is available in some states but not others. We’ve been working hard as advocates for disposition freedom in Texas, but it’s up to the state legislature to update the codes so that this new, more eco-friendly forms of disposition are available to all Texans.
What happens to medical implants after cremation?
Certain medical implants, like pacemakers, are removed before cremation because they can be hazardous. Regardless of whether they are removed prior to cremation or separated from the cremains afterward, medical implants are discarded, and often they can be recycled.
Do you have to work with a funeral home?
Legally speaking, no, the family doesn’t have to work with a funeral home. The reason why so many people do, including those that choose to have a home funeral, is because handling the disposition can be a complex process and it has to be handled in a certain way to meet legal requirements. And during a time of mourning figuring everything out can be overwhelming. Many funeral homes today are personalizing services in a way that allows the family to be more involved while the funeral director handles the technical and legal aspects of the disposition.
Does a funeral director need to be licensed?
Yes, the specific requirements vary by state, but in virtually every jurisdiction a funeral director must be licensed to offer services. Licensing ensures that the funeral director is properly equipped to handle the disposition and follow the state laws. It’s also a consumer protection measure. If a funeral director is acting in an unethical way, clients can report them to the state licensing board. Knowing they could lose their license,
Is cremation really more environmentally friendly than burial?
It can be. Some people are questioning this because there’s been more scrutiny of late about how cremation impacts the environment. While most flame cremation does produce a certain amount of air pollution and requires the use of nonrenewable fossil fuels, it’s still typically more eco-friendly than traditional burial when everything is factored in.
Plus, new technology and efforts to reduce the impact are helping make the process greener. Here at Cremation.Green we’ve come up with processes to minimize environmental impact from going paperless to using equipment that captures more pollutants before they are released. There are even electric retorts being developed to eliminate the need for burning fossil fuels.
Do you have a different question about death care? The cremation.green team is happy to answer any questions you have. We stay up-to-date on the latest industry news, technology and research so you don’t have to. Just give us a call, text or email at any time, and we’ll do our best to provide you with a thorough answer.