If you’re curious about the cost of cremation in Washington, you may be in the process of planning funeral services for a loved one. If this is the case, please accept our condolences and allow us to help you by providing clear, reliable information about funeral arrangements and burial services.
We’ll start by discussing how much cremation costs in Washington State. Then, we will explain why there’s such a wide range of prices by discussing the different types of cremation. Finally, we will help you find a low-cost cremation provider in Washington with several options.
Cost of Cremation in Washington
The cost of cremation ranges from $850 to $3,800 in Washington State. The price range has to do with the cremation provider and type of cremation.
Before we take a deep dive into types of cremation, we would like to point out that the act of cremation is the same regardless of the funeral service provider. It is illegal in the U.S. to simultaneously cremate more than one human’s bodily remains in the same crematory.
Prices of Different Cremation Services in Washington
Let’s discuss the different cremation packages offered by most funeral homes or cremation providers in Washington.
Traditional Cremation with Funeral Services
Traditional burial or cremation refers to having the deceased’s casketed remains present at the funeral service.
If you choose traditional cremation, your loved one’s body will be embalmed, dressed, and placed in a rental casket so that others can view the body. After the service, the body is cremated. The family will receive the cremated remains later.
Traditional cremation is typically the most expensive type of cremation service because you have to pay for the body to be prepared to be placed in the casket. In addition, the funeral service must be held where the casket can be displayed, typically the funeral home or church. Therefore, additional costs exist for using this space or transporting the casket to those locations.
Basic Cremation with Funeral Services at the Funeral Home
One way to lower funeral cremation costs is to have the body cremated before the memorial service. The funeral director may call this type of cremation “basic cremation.” You may select this cremation type if you wish to have a service at the funeral home.
Basic cremation is typically less expensive than traditional cremation, as most funeral homes allow you to purchase an alternative container for cremation instead of a costly casket. However, while this type of cremation allows you to save money, you will still have to pay the basic service fee. This fee covers the costs of the upkeep of the building and services performed by the funeral home staff (including ordering the death certificate.)
Direct Cremation
Not every family can afford traditional cremation services at funeral homes. One option that has increased in popularity in recent years is utilizing the services of a direct cremation provider. Direct cremation is more affordable than traditional and basic cremation services.
Direct cremation providers will remove the body from the place of death to the crematory. Once the paperwork is completed and the mandatory waiting period has passed (and the medical examiner has signed off on the cremation,) the body is cremated.
After, the remains are returned to the family members, and a service can be held. You may choose to bury or scatter the cremated remains.
Many people choose to scatter ashes on private land or in national or state parks in Washington. Make arrangements with the chief park ranger if you plan to have a scattering ceremony. You can also bury your loved one’s cremated remains in a traditional cemetery or perhaps one that specializes in green burial.
Should You Choose a Cremation Provider Based on Price?
A death in the family can be difficult for various reasons. Not only are you mourning the loss of someone you loved, but you may feel stressed by the financial burden the death has caused. Perhaps you will no longer have the income of your loved one to pay for your daily needs. In addition, you might feel stressed because you know it will be a struggle to pay funeral expenses.
Unfortunately, many families in Washington have unusual hang-ups about cremation costs. They think they need to spend a lot on end-of-life services to show how much they are grieving the death of their family member.
However, think about your own demise. How would you want your family and friends to remember you? Would you rather they use their financial resources on a high-end casket that costs thousands of dollars? Or would you rather they spend less money on the service and instead donate funds to a charity important to you?
Low-Cost Cremation Services in Washington State
Families in need turn to Smart Cremation for low-cost cremation services in Seattle and King County, WA. We have been the most trusted provider of cremations in Spokane, Tacoma, and all throughout Washington State for decades.
Smart Cremation also offers other services, including pre-planning services, guidance with the necessary paperwork required for death certificates, and help procuring a final resting place for your loved one’s remains (including burial or scattering ashes in a memorial park).
We also are extremely knowledgeable about the Veteran benefits the Department of Veterans Affairs provides and will ensure your service member receives the benefits they earned. Contact Smart Cremation immediately after the death of your loved one or to pre-plan cremation services. Our staff is available 24/7.
