Cremation is becoming a popular choice for end-of-life planning. It allows families to say goodbye on their own terms without leaving a financial burden behind for loved ones.

The basic cremation cost Fort Worth is very affordable, but ancillary services and funeral products can quickly increase the price. This article will help you understand what drives the cost of cremation.

1. Basic Cremation Container

Many families today choose cremation because they are interested in reducing environmental impact, allowing for a more flexible memorial service and the opportunity to keep or scatter the remains. They may also be looking for more personalization or affordability.

For some, however, the desire to have a wake or visitation with the body present before the actual cremation is important. This is why we offer a variety of cremation caskets. These look very similar to traditional caskets but are designed for cremation and have minimal metal parts that would burn.

Other containers that can be used for a funeral or visitation include green caskets, which are made of natural materials that are acceptable for cremation; and urns, which have no hardware and are combustible. From a legal standpoint, these are all considered minimum alternative containers.

2. Cremation Casket

There are a variety of cremation caskets to choose from. Some funeral homes have their own brand of a basic, low-cost casket they call Minimum Alternative Container. This is often a cardboard container that meets the legal requirements at a cheap price.

Alternatively, you could purchase an all-wood traditional casket for the service and then rent one or use a basic cremation container for the crematorium. This would save you a considerable amount of money in the long run.

Most traditional caskets and shrouds are fully combustible, so they can work as cremation containers. But check with your funeral home or crematorium to be sure. Also, make sure the casket doesn’t contain any metal parts (like metal screws) that can burn and damage the ashes.

3. Urns

An urn is the container that holds your loved one’s cremains. Urns come in a wide variety of styles and shapes, and they are made out of many different materials.

Many families choose urns that reflect the personality of their loved ones or activities they enjoyed. For example, there are urns that are designed to help grow a tree or memorialize a pet who loved spending time outdoors.

Urns are priced according to material and design. For example, marble containers are more expensive than metal urns. Also, urns that are designed to be buried require a vault, which adds to the cost. A simple grave liner costs about $100, while more elaborate options range from $200 to $450. Urns are reusable, so some people decide to keep them at home or put them in a columbarium or crypt.

4. Flowers

Whether you choose to hold a memorial service beforehand or bury the urn later, flowers can be a lovely touch that honors your loved one. But they add to the overall cost, which can be more than $6,000 for a traditional funeral and burial combined with cremation.

It’s also a good idea to consider what will happen to the flowers post-service. Many families ask for charitable donations in lieu of flowers, and this is often included in the obituary or mentioned by the funeral director during the ceremony. It’s also common to see a collection box on the table. Other options include donating to a local cause, keeping the flowers, or giving them to friends and family. They can also be scattered in water or incorporated into jewelry and other mementos.

5. Memorial Service

A memorial service is an opportunity for family and friends to gather and honor the life of their loved one. It can be held in the weeks following a funeral, on the first anniversary of death or any time in between.

During this time, family members can share stories and offer condolences. This is a very important part of the grieving process.

Memorial services also provide an opportunity to remember the deceased with pictures and other mementos. Many families will choose to have a guest speaker to offer a personal perspective of their loved one’s life and legacy. They will also select pallbearers who will carry the casket if the body is present. They will create a guest list and send invitations. They will provide food and drink or arrange for catering.