There are lots of things to consider when a family member passes on and you need to plan their final services. Even if you are planning things in advance for yourself, you have a lot to think through. One big decision to make is whether you want a traditional funeral service, or cremation services in Cinnaminson, NJ. Both of these options are completely honorable so you can’t go wrong. But there are a lot of differences between the two that can help you to choose one over the other. Funerals, for example, cost a lot more than cremation services. Here are a few things that go into funerals that you don’t have to have for cremation. 

The (Optional) Embalming Process 

Embalming is an optional process that is commonly used along with funeral services. The purpose of embalming is to use the chemicals to preserve a person’s remains for when they are on display at the visitation or funeral home service. IT’s an optional service that you don’t have to use for a funeral, but it is very common. For cremation, on the other hand, it really isn’t necessary since the person’s body is not on display at all. 

The Visitation Costs 

Traditional funerals commonly start with visitation services, which are like open houses where people can come and go during a set time to see the person who has died. That service has costs attached to it including rental fees for the room that will be used. When you have direct cremation done instead, you don’t have any of the visitation costs. Keep in mind that you can have a visitation before cremation, if you choose to do so, but with direct cremation, those services are skipped. 

The Traditional Funeral Service Expenses 

There are many different costs that can go into the funeral service itself and those are things you can explore if you go that way. You might hire someone to run the service, rent a room at the funeral home, pay for flowers, hire musicians, and any number of other things. With direct cremation, you can cut all of those expenses out. You can have a memorial service later, but those can be very low in cost or even free, depending on what you do. 

The Plot In The Cemetery 

With a funeral, the only final resting place option is the cemetery, so you will have to buy a plot, pay for the opening and closing of the grave, and cover any other fees and expenses that go into that burial process. For cremation, burial is an option, but you don’t have to go forward with that choice and, instead, you can do something that is free or much less expensive. 

As you look at the cost differences, you may realize that you can only afford cremation services in Cinnaminson, NJ for a loved one, or for yourself if you are planning ahead—and that’s okay. Cremation is a valid choice, even if you go that direction because of the lower price.