The cheapest cremation is done by a basic cremation service, but it will depend on your location on who actually does the cheapest cremation services in your location.
In some cases you can get cremation done for less than $1,000.00 when you go with basic cremation.
Some examples of basic cremation services include Science Care with body donation, local funeral homes like Westfield Chapel, aCremation or DFS Memorials.
The least expensive way to be cremated is to go with direct cremation, which is where you're cremated directly without any funeral service and then your ashes or remains are returned to your loved ones.
The three types of cremation are memorial cremation, traditional cremation and direct cremation.
With memorial cremation the cremation is done first and then a memorial service occurs.
With traditional cremation, the funeral or memorial service is done first and then cremation is done after.
And with direct cremation, there no service and then the body is just cremated after the 3 day or so waiting period.
Direct cremation without a service is the cheapest cremation.
The reason why you have to wait 3 days before cremation is due to legal requirements which include needing the death certificate, permits and administrative steps like next of kin authorization as well as health and coroner checks, possible need for autopsies to be done for unexplained deaths and also to give families time to see the deceased and give their final goodbyes.
The actual delay though for cremation is often due to doctors taking time to sign the needed forms, which makes the 2 to 3 days a common minimum time for the process of paperwork to be carried out.
Before cremation can occur, a death certificate must be filed and permits must also be obtained from health departments, which also requires signatures from doctors and coroners, which is a process that can take days.
The legal next of kin also must sign documents that authorize the cremation of the deceased.
And if the death of the person was sudden or suspicious or unexplained, then the medical examiner or coroner, has to investigate the death, which can also add significant waiting time before cremation can occur, which can be days and even weeks.
And waiting 3 days before cremation also allows for inspection of any possible contagious diseases and ensures that all official checks have been done before the body is disposed of.
And it provides time for the family to gather, to grieve and make any final arrangements or hold services, although the legal process often dictates the minimum timeframe for the cremation to occur.
The most common delay though for cremation is waiting for doctors and physicians to sign the death certificate and or provide medical clearance.
And holidays and weekends can make the time take longer as Government offices close on Holidays and weekends and stops the permit process.