Cremation Costs

We recently had a cremation, I think it was around 750 bucks that includes the little package for the ashes which is a plastic bag inside of a thick plastic box..... which is sitting on the shelf in my moms livingroom still.

You do need to shop around tho, prices do very.

Unfortunately our family has done a few over the past couple of years. In our area it ranges about 750 - 900. It is great that she is planning ahead. It saves alot of added anxiety to the family.

Anywhere between 750-900 + urn if you want one. I have had three family member cremated in the past six years. They were all cremated in Farmer's Branch. Also, to save money, when someone does pass and you want them cremated, call the place you are having them cremated to pick them up - not an ambulance and/or funeral home. You will save hundreds to over a thousand dollars.

I have worked in an industry connected with death care for over 20 years. Call your local funeral directors and have them quote you a price for a "direct cremation.' Many funeral directors will view cremation as an inexpensive choice, and, therefore potential income loss for them.
There's lots to consider....does your mom still want a "service or viewing" with the body present? Service at a church? Or at the funeral home itself? Then you will still add costs of the funeral home services, flowers, limo, etc. etc. etc. Many cemeteries still have memorialization options for cremation including ground burial (lot cost, grave opening and closing), niche units were the urn is displayed in an area designed just for that, disposition in a bench designed to accept an urn, etc. There are SO many options !
If you are interested in immediate cremation and return of the cremains to you/your family, just shop the lowest price for a direct cremation, they will return the remains in (most likely) a cardboard container, in a bag. You can purchase a nicer urn on-line at many many websites or make O. yourself of ceramic!
If your mom chooses and requests that her ashes be scattered at a particular site (beach, mountains, back yard) check the local laws, because in many instances, you can't just go and pour them anywhere! (Of course, that only applies if someone sees you!) Good luck!

PLEASE shop around! Just like renting a moving van, getting car insurance, or grocery shopping, their is a price difference.

I recommend starting at the local mortuary school in your area...here's one... http://www.dallasinstitute.edu/Pages/aframe.htm

Sometimes (like going to a cosmetology school), their prices are the cheapest. Of course, they may only be able to point you at a funeral home they work with.

My parent's signed up through the Neptune society. They paid around $1200 a piece. That included pick up, urn and delivery of the ashes. Contact them for more details. My dad was a vet so we interred them at the National Cemetary in Dallas. If you want a place to "visit" them contact your local cemetary for prices and options.

As much as I hated talking about it with my parents, I am glad they planned ahead. Dad died suddenly and it was nice to just be able to open up the folder and call the right person. My FIL also planned ahead and he died suddenly as well. It just makes a difficult time easier.

Take Care and God Bless!

Shop around, also ask her what sort of urn she'd like - we did a nice wooden box with the decease's name engraved into the wood and a cross. The bottom is where you insert the bag of ashes and then it has screws to hold the bottom on so it's secure. It was very handsome and one of the lesser expensive options.
Another thing to consider - my FIL passed in Plano but lived in E. Texas. Originally we were going to have him transported back to his hometown funeral home, but learned that they outsource all their creamations 2 hours away (and we'd have to pay the transport fee to E. Texas and then to where ever the creamation place was). We just did someone local and saved that way.
One final thought: if you plan to fly with the ashes, be prepared to have airport security have to sift through the bag of ashes. Otherwise, have them transported by car. Much more graceful to the loved ones.

I am a funeral director, so feel free to ask me any questions. Some things to think about. Cremation prices do vary. I would love to speak with you about this. I am not in your area, so you do not have to feel obligated. The funeral home number is ###-###-####.

I believe Aria runs around $1000. You might also look for the Southwest funeral or memorial society...that's not the correct name, but ask around at a funeral home and they can tell you what it's called. They have contracted prices (lower costs) with funeral homes. It's supposed to help educate you and save you money when the time arrives so you don't feel like you got "taken" in your time of need. We have a family membership that only cost $25 and I think that was a one time fee. I get a quarterly newsletter from them.