A loved one’s passing is difficult enough, but the financial burden for families can add significant stress. A typical funeral and burial can cost nearly $8,000 according to the National Funeral Directors Association.
By comparison, the cost of cremation ranges from about $800 to $3,500 in Arizona, depending on the services you request. In this article, we explain your options and help you when searching for “cheap cremations near me in Arizona.”
Cremation Options and Costs
The cremation process is regulated and uniform, but costs vary depending on who you choose to work with and where you live. Traditional funeral homes generally have several options available, including:
Traditional Cremation and Funeral Services
This option provides a full traditional service, mirroring a casket burial. It involves preparing and dressing the deceased, casket rental for viewing and funeral services, and cremation after. Offering these extensive services makes it the costliest cremation package. Some providers propose a pared-down basic package with a simple container instead of a casket to reduce expenses.
Memorial Service Cremation Plan
For a more affordable alternative, this package excludes viewing yet still provides a memorial service. The ceremony takes place in the funeral home’s chapel with the cremation container present, allowing friends and family to gather, pay tribute, and find closure.
Direct Cremation
The most budget-friendly and adaptable option skips any formal event. The deceased is transported directly to the crematorium for cremation, with the ashes returned to the family. With direct cremation’s lower cost and greater flexibility, the family can choose a personalized way to honor their loved one, like holding a private scattering service or planning their own memorial gathering.
Discussing Costs for Cremation Services
Discussing the costs of cremation services can be uncomfortable. You may also worry about unscrupulous individuals who may want to take advantage of your grief. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enacted the Funeral Rule to protect you, ensuring funeral homes comply with specific guidelines. For example, when you inquire about available services, they must provide you with a printed (and itemized) price list of the services they offer. Called a General Price List (GPL), you have the right to examine it and choose only the options you want.
For example, you do not need to buy or rent a casket if you want a direct cremation. For the remains, you can choose an urn from somewhere other than your funeral home, and they are required to accept it and cannot charge a handling fee in most states, including Arizona. Likewise, embalming is not required by law if the cremation is handled promptly without a public viewing.
Whole Body Donations for No-Cost Cremations
Another option worth consideration for a “cheap cremation near me in Arizona” is whole body donation. Not only can you make an important contribution to the advancement of medical science, but you can also eliminate the costs of cremation.
As the only non-profit agency in Phoenix, United Tissue Network (UTN) pays 100% of the costs associated with transportation, storage, and direct cremation of the deceased. After research has been completed, UTN will return the remains to family members. While there is no monetary compensation for donating a body, UTN helps by covering costs including filing fees and two death certificates.
UTN is a 501(c)(3), held to the highest industry standards, and is accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks, which promotes and oversees the safety and quality of donated human tissue for research. UTN provides a respectful and dignified way to help defray your costs while helping others. Donated bodies are used for:
- Educating physicians on the latest medical practices and procedures
- Training surgical students on performing operations and procedures
- Conducting research and providing training on new medical devices and equipment
- Researching and developing new pharmaceutical drugs and treatments
- Providing emergency response teams with training for medical crisis situations
Cheap Cremation Near me in Arizona
If you feel slightly guilty looking for “cheap cremations near me in Arizona,” you should not. Honoring your loved ones has nothing to do with how much money you spend to do it. A simple ceremony with friends and relatives and the ethical disposal of their remains offers an opportunity to share memories and pay your respects without causing additional financial stress during an already difficult time.
If you would like to know more about whole body donations in Arizona, contact United Tissue Network today at 877-738-6111 or ask your funeral home or hospice center to contact UTN.