The death of a family or friend is overwhelming, and soon after the death, the responsibilities of performing rites leave one in more perplexity. They have to put aside their grief to deal with the required tasks. Moreover, the skyrocketing prices of funeral rituals don’t help either. The expensive costs of a traditional funeral are why most people in the United States have been opting for cremation instead.
As per the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), Consumer and Preferences Report 2021, 78% of Americans choose cremation over burial. The cremation rate is said to be projected more in the coming years. In Kansas, the demand for cremation rites has also surged up to 66.4%, as many people find it affordable compared to traditional burial.
Following are some of the reasons why people choose cremation as the final arrangement for a deceased loved one:
- It has lower costs.
- It is better for the environment if the cremation is done sustainably.
- It does not involve the fear of burial or natural decomposition.
- It requires simpler arrangements.
- It has flexible service options.
- It can be completed in a shorter amount of time.
Keep on reading if you want to learn more about the cremation process, the cost of cremation in Kansas, and other FAQs about cremation.
What is Cremation?
Cremation is the method of disposing of a dead body through burning at a high temperature. It may sound like a simple procedure; however, it is quite intricate. Cremation involves different steps that can cost you separately.
The following steps are involved in the cremation process:
- Once the remains are handed over to the crematory, any metal items such as jewelry are removed from the body. This also includes medical devices such as pacemakers, as they can be hazardous during cremation.
- The body is placed into a container and then placed into the cremation chamber with a temperature of up to 1400 to 1600 degrees Fahrenheit (760 to 982 degrees Centigrade).
- After a few hours, all organic remains will have been consumed by the high heat or evaporation.
- Any remaining bones are removed from the chamber and processed finely via a grinder.
- The ash remains, also known as cremains, are placed in a temporary vessel and handed over to family or loved ones.
The cost of cremation in Kansas depends on various factors, including your needs and requirements. Below are the average costs of different types of cremation services in Kansas state:
Services Determining the Cost of Cremation in Kansas
Following are the several factors and services which determine the total expense of cremation of your loved one’s remains:
Cremation Process
The heftiest expense is the cremation process that allows the final disposition of the remains of a deceased.
Transportation
A transportation fee is required to transfer the remains to the crematory. If the body weighs more, additional charges may apply as more labor would be required for transportation.
Refrigeration
Typically, the cremation process is conducted 48 hours after death. During this time window, the remains need to be refrigerated, or else the body will start decaying. This adds to the costs of cremation.
Preparation
For full-service cremation (more on that later), the body needs to be cleaned, disinfected, or even embalmed, and all these services cost more.
Caskets
Many people choose to do a funeral service before cremation, which requires a casket. And renting or buying a casket for your loved one can be expensive. The price may vary depending on the variety, style, wood type, etc.
Urns
An urn is used to keep the ashes after cremation, which you have to buy separately. The urn costs differ based on the material, design, and size.
Death Certificate
After all the funeral and cremation services have been conducted, you need to get the death certificate of your loved one. Most funeral homes offer death certificate documentation; its charges are included in the cremation fee. However, you might have to get it yourself sometimes, which you would have to pay separately.
Cost of Cremation in Kansas
Following are the different types of cremation services for the deceased. You can choose one according to your requirements and budget.
Direct Cremation
Direct cremation is a type of cremation that does not involve a formal funeral service. It is also known as a bare ceremony as the services take place without a viewing. Direct cremation is a cost-effective and straightforward alternative to traditional funeral services. On average, it costs around $1420 to $2,075 in Kansas.
Charges for direct cremation include:
- Cremation of remains.
- Transportation of remains.
- Refrigeration of unembalmed
- Minimal services of funeral director and staff.
Charges for direct cremation do not include:
- Preparation of the dead body.
- Use of facilities for ceremony or viewing.
- Any merchandise items.
Funeral Ceremony Before Cremation (Full-Service Cremation)
A full-service cremation involves a funeral ceremony, viewing, or wake prior to cremation at either a church or a funeral home with a public. The cost of a cremation in Kansas with a funeral ceremony is around $4,890 to $6,595.
Charges for a funeral ceremony followed by cremation include:
- Cremation of remains.
- Transportation of remains to the funeral
- Transportation of remains to crematory.
- Refrigeration of the remains.
- Minimal services of funeral director and staff.
- Ceremony at the funeral facility.
- Supervision of ceremony at other places such as home or church.
Charges for a funeral ceremony followed by cremation do not include:
- Casket
- Urn
- Other merchandise items.
Memorial Ceremony After Cremation
A memorial ceremony or public gathering after cremation costs around $3,000 in Kansas.
Charges for a memorial ceremony after cremation include:
- Cremation of remains.
- Refrigeration of the body.
- Transfer of remains.
- Overhead of funeral director and staff.
- Memorial ceremony or gathering.
Charges for a memorial ceremony after cremation do not include:
- Casket
- Urn
- Any cash advance or merchandise items.
Private Viewing Before Cremation
If you want a small private viewing along with cremation, it will cost around $2,650 in Kansas.
Charges for private viewing along with cremation include:
- Cremation fee.
- Bathing and disinfecting of the remains.
- Use of facility for private viewing (limited to 10 people and 30 minutes)
Charge for private viewing along with cremation do not include:
- Casket
- Urn
Cost of Cremation in Kansas by Cities
The cost of cremation in Kansas also varies depending on the city. Following are the average cremation cost in different cities in Kansas:
Kansas City
The average cost of a direct cremation in Kansas City is $1,762, whereas a full-service cremation costs around $6,442.
Wichita
The average cost of a direct cremation in Wichita is $2,056, whereas a full-service cremation costs around $5,893.
Lawrence
The average cost of a direct cremation in Lawrence is $2,282, whereas a full-service cremation costs around $5,701.
Topeka
The average cost of a direct cremation in Topeka is $1,522, whereas a full-service cremation costs around $6,202.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Cremation
Here are some of the most common FAQs about cremation answered:
1. How Long is the Cremation Process?
The amount of time taken to complete a cremation process depends on various factors such as the size of the body, the type of vessel containing the body, and the efficiency of the equipment used. Usually, flame-based cremation takes around 2-3 hours, and liquid cremation takes up to 15 hours.
2. How Long Should We Wait After Death Before Cremation Takes Place?
Depending on state-mandated laws, you must wait 48-72 hours after death before cremating a body. One can obtain cremation authorization from the legally known next-of-kin during this period.
3. How Much Does Cremation Cost?
Cremation costs vary depending on the state, type of cremation service, and a few other factors. Here are the direct cremation costs of a few states:
- Cost of cremation in Kansas: $1420 to $2,075
- Cost of cremation in Florida: $990 to $2,500
- Cost of cremation in Georgia: $870 to $3,500
- Cost of cremation in Oregon: Up to $2,200
4. What Happens to The Body After Cremation?
After the cremation, the body turns into ashes which the crematory hands over to the family.
5. What Can You Do with the Ashes After Cremation?
There are a plethora of options to choose from when deciding what to do with cremated remains of loved ones. Here are a few ideas:
Store the Ashes
The most traditional way to keep cremated remains is to store the ashes in an urn. There is a wide variety of urns available in the market for you to choose from, including standard urns, keepsake urns, companion urns, and biodegradable urns.
Inter the Ashes
Burying or placing the cremated remains in a permanent place is known as Interment. You can do this by burying the ashes in a cemetery or a burial plot. Or place the urn in a columbarium, small niches specifically designed to keep urns. Water burial is another popular practice where you release the ashes-filled urn into the sea.
Scatter the Ashes
You can scatter the remains of your loved ones in the open air or a scattering garden. However, make sure to note the local laws regarding scattering.
Put the Ashes in Jewelry
Get cremation jewelry made by incorporating the ashes in them. Cremation and memorial jewelry includes necklaces, bracelets, rings, keychains, etc.
Get a Tattoo With the Ashes
Keep your loved one close by incorporating ashes into tattoo ink and getting a tattoo with it.