When loved ones pass away, families across Maine face both emotional grief and financial concerns. Whether you’re based in Bangor or a rural outlying community, understanding how much cremation costs and what options are available is essential for making a respectful decision.
Cremation is increasingly popular in Maine and costs significantly less than traditional burial; it offers scheduling flexibility, carries fewer environmental impacts, and can be personalized in a variety of settings. Many families in New England see cremation as a practical and respectful way to remember loved ones without excessive cost.
Types of Cremation Services and Typical Costs in Maine
Costs will vary depending on the type of cremation you choose.
Direct Cremation
Nationwide, the cost of a direct cremation is between $1,000 and $2,000. While it is possible to find Maine cremation care packages in that price range, most areas of the state are more expensive. For example, cremation in Bangor, Maine averages $2,545.
| AVERAGE COST OF DIRECT CREMATION IN MAINE | |
| Auburn | $3,875 |
| Augusta | $2,552 |
| Bangor | $2,545 |
| Biddeford | $1,790 |
| Lewiston | $2,211 |
| Portland | $3,295 |
| Saco | $1,745 |
| Sanford | $2,870 |
| Scarborough | $2,635 |
| South Portland | $2,237 |
| Westbrook | $2,190 |
SOURCE: US Funerals Online
Direct cremation includestransportation of the deceased, legal paperwork, cremation, and return of the remain in a basic container, without a memorial ceremony or viewing.
When searching for Maine cremation care, you may find lower prices online, but these are often “starting at” prices and might require additional fees.
Cremation with Memorial
This option includes cremation plus a gathering, typically at a funeral home, church, or home, but does not involve embalming or a full funeral service. Costs average between $2,500 and $5,000 depending on the services chosen.
Full Funeral Service Followed by Cremation
A traditional funeral, including embalming, viewing, casket rental, and a full ceremony followed by cremation, will cost between $5,000 and $8,000 or more in Maine. The average price paid is $6,265, according to Funeralocity.
Green Cremation
A few Maine cremation care providers offer a more environmentally conscious alternative using water instead of heat. While there are currently no providers offering cremation in Bangor, Maine, there are natural green cremation packages in nearby Belfast for slightly less than $3,000.
What Affects the Cost of Cremation in Maine?
Besides the type of cremation you choose, there are other variables that impact the cost, including:
- Provider type: Independent cremation services often offer lower costs than full-service funeral homes.
- Location: Cremation costs vary significantly by city, or even within the same community.
- Add-on services: Upgraded urns, caskets, burial plots, memorial services, keepsakes, and other items add to costs.
- Third-party fees: Medical examiner approvals, permits, and crematory fees are sometimes passed along to families.
- Service model: Some providers bundle services in flat-rate packages, while others itemize every detail à la carte.
It’s important to request a full itemized price list, called a General Price List (GPL), which providers are legally required to share upon request. This breaks down costs for each service and helps you compare pricing at different providers.
Whole Body Donation: No-Cost Cremation in Maine
For families concerned about cost, or those who want to leave a legacy of generosity, whole body donation is a dignified, meaningful alternative that also eliminates cremation expenses.
Bodies are utilized by medical institutions for the advancement of education, training, and research. After studies are complete, the body is cremated, and the remains will be returned to the family upon request. The entire process, including transportation, paperwork, cremation, and return of remains, is handled at no cost to the donor or their family.
United Tissue Network (UTN) isa nonprofit 501(c)(3) accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) and coordinates body donations throughout New England. UTN provides respectful and ethical whole body donation services that contribute to life-saving surgical training and medical advancements.
You can pre-register in advance or enroll a next-of-kin at the time of passing. This involves filling out an online form and providing basic health information. Most body donations are accepted as long as donors are 18 years or older and do not have a contagious disease such as HIV/AIDs or hepatitis.
UTN offers compassionate, 24/7 support to help families navigate the donation process and treats donors and families with respect and dignity throughout.
For those seeking a meaningful and cost-free solution, whole body donation through United Tissue Network offers a dignified, impactful path forward. It’s a way to leave a legacy, support the future of medicine, and lift the financial burden from your family’s shoulders.
Learn more about whole body donation in New England or register online to become a whole body donor, contribute to the advancement of medical science, and get free cremation in Bangor, Maine and throughout New England.
