What is a Direct Cremation?

“Direct Cremation”, sometimes called “Simple Cremation” or “Immediate Cremation” is when the cremation is performed soon after death, without a viewing, visitation or funeral service of any kind. Aspects of a Direct Cremation can include:

• The body is cremated immediately after death. This enables you to engage directly with a crematory service provider such as Cremation Society of America, rather than a funeral home
• The deceased is cremated in a simple vessel or container instead of an expensive casket
• Since a Direct Cremation does not involve a visitation, wake or viewing prior to cremation, there is no need for embalming or other measures to preserve the deceased for extended periods
• A Direct Cremation gives the family the flexibility to arrange for a memorial service – or multiple memorial services – at the date, time and locale of the family’s choosing, thereby avoiding the costs of a casket and funeral services. NOTE: If you choose to hold a service before the cremation, you would be engaging in a “traditional cremation” and not a Direct Cremation.

Oftentimes, people assume that the term “Direct Cremation” means the deceased is taken from the place of death directly to the crematory. This is not the case. Death Certificates, contracts and state required permits must all be completed before the cremation can actually take place or be scheduled, often several days later.

How to Arrange a Direct Cremation: In most cases, the crematory staff will be able to handle all aspects of the cremation, including completion of the death certificate and transporting the deceased to the crematory – all for a nominal fee.  Also, a crematory will often change a fraction of the price that a funeral home might charge for the same services.

Please keep in mind that, per to the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule (effective in 1984 and amended in 1994), you have the following rights when it comes to planning a direct cremation:

• You are never required to use or purchase a casket for direct cremation
• The funeral home or crematory you engage must make available to you an unfinished wood box or alternative container for the cremation
• If you provide an urn or other keepsake vessel to the crematory, the crematory must return the cremated remains to you in the urn that you provided. Should you not provide an urn or vessel, the crematory must return the cremated remains to you in a container, which may be a cardboard box

Why Choose Cremation Society of America?

Cremation Society of America (“CSA”) is your trusted provider of Cremation services. Since we at CSA focus solely on Cremation – and leave funerals, burials and ceremonies to others – we can offer cost-effective Direct Cremation services without sacrificing the dignity or solemnity of your love one.

We offer the most efficient online process in the industry as well as 24 x 7 Cremation Consultants who are ready to answer any and all questions during such a troubling time for your family.

Please contact CSA for your Cremation pre-planning needs. We look forward to being of service to you and your family.