Nothing is more heart-wrenching than losing a loved one. It takes immense courage to hold your emotions while you mourn the loss of a family member. The grieving period becomes even more difficult to pass as the responsibility of funeral rites is awaiting. It is the time when the decision to honor your loved one is yours to make. With the arrangements of the ceremony, a common concern among families is the cost of the funeral rites. The mourning period becomes financially distressing as the funeral costs may sit heavy in their pockets. The decision to choose a burial or cremation plays a crucial role as the cost of both varies significantly.
According to the 2021 Consumers and Preference Report of the National Funerals Directors Association (NFDA), the cremation rate in the United States has taken a massive toll over burial with a 57.5% cremation rate projection 36.6% burial rate. Similarly, in 2019, Oregon was listed as one of the leading states of the United States, with a cremation rate of 78.9%. Many families are now opting for cremation over traditional burial as it is cost-effective and pocket-friendly. To know how much cremation costs in your state, it is essential to understand its procedure and logistics. Below is an overview of the average cost of cremation in Oregon.
The Procedure:
Cremation is the process of burning the body after death at high temperatures. At the same time, it may sound like a simple procedure; cremation involves various steps to be followed that can cost you separately. Following are the requirements for a cremation process in Oregon that adds to the cremation expenses:
- The body is made free from any metals or jewelry. Due to certain medical conditions, any devices attached to the body are stripped off to prevent hazardous effects during cremation.
- The burning takes place in a cremation chamber, one of the heavy expenses that addto the process. The high-quality bricks used in the chamber to resist fire and high temperatures and the electrical power required for burning the body add to a significant amount to the cost of cremation in Oregon. The body is placed in the chamber and is burned at temperatures of about 2000 degrees
- Any large bones left are then placed into the grinder for crushing.
- The ashes are returned to the family to be scattered or displayed as urns in their homes.
Logistics:
Unlike traditional burial, the cremation process is efficient and consumes less time. It takes around two to three hours to complete the burning of a body and process. However, there are some requirements that must be met before incineration. Listed below are a few steps included in the cost of cremation logistics.
The Process:
The highest amount that tops your expense budget is the process of cremation. The initial payment you are required to make is for the procedure for cremation. However, this cost varies on the service and cremation type you choose for your loved one.
Transfer:
The body of your loved is transferred from the place of their final moments to the crematory for burning. A particular amount is paid for the transfer service or rental vehicle used in the body’s transportation. Additional charges are required if the body is more than an average size as more workforce is needed.
Period of Refrigeration:
A 24-hour waiting is required for waiting to proceed for cremation in Oregon. The deceased’s body is refrigerated to prevent rotting during this period, and a specific fee is paid as part of the cost of cremation in Oregon.
Casket:
The laws of Oregon do not require a casket. Instead, a container is required to be used for cremation. Although, it is a common practice of Oregonians to use a casket for the process. One of the expensive additions is the casket, as it offers a wide range of varieties. Since the caskets available at funeral homes are costly, they are easily rented at a much lower price. Its cost depends on the size, design, and style you choose to pick.
An Urn:
After incineration, the ashes are returned to the family, and it depends on you to choose whether to scatter them or store them in urns for a display at your home. Urns come in different varieties, so the prices differ for each of them depending on the material, design, and size you opt for. If you want to invest in a cheaper urn, choose a simple ceramic urn as it is affordable and costs less than extravagant glass or metal ones.
Death Certificate:
Typically, a funeral director prepares and files the death certificate in Oregon. A certificate is filed within five days following death and before starting the cremation procedure. A certified death certificate copy ranges from $20 to $35 in Oregon, whereas an additional copy costs about $15.
The Paperwork:
Before cremation, a legal process and documentation are required to proceed. Hence, a particular cost is paid for the paperwork procedure of the cremation, depending on the service you choose.
Funeral Laws in Oregon
Specific rules and regulations apply for a funeral in Oregon. To dispose of the cremains, a specific standard is set by the law. The cremation permit is only issued in Oregon if a family member or next of kin signs the authorization form for cremation; this cremation permit has a fee of about $7. After death, a 24-hour waiting period is mandatory to follow before you can proceed for cremation. The legal paperwork and arrangement require up to three days; a professional service is approached for the documentation, which charges a fee for their work.
Officially, the laws do not require a casket to be used for cremation; a compact container or wooden box is mainly enforced to be used.
Since Oregon has one of the highest cremation rates in the United States, families follow different memorialization and honoring their loved ones. The cremains can be stored in urns at home or laid in a niche. Some families turn the ashes into an art craft such as jewelry or portraits or scatter them at a private property or memorial garden. If you plan to scatter the cremains on public land, check with the local ordinance. As the cremated ashes do not have adverse effects on the environment, there is no police for cremains or any legal legislation for ash scattering in Oregon.
In addition, you can also choose a sea burial for your loved one; however, the Environmental Protection Agency suggests performing the burial three nautical miles away from the sea; the services are provided at the cost of $175.
The cost of cremation in Oregon also depends on the type of cremation you plan to choose, and the prices for a traditional and direct cremation vary significantly. Let’s take a closer look to know about the cost difference of both.
A Traditional Cremation:
Since a traditional cremation involves various procedures, it is expensive and time-consuming. Typically, the service includes labor work, transfer fees, vehicle rent, embalming, funeral ceremony, and cremation. In contrast, it is believed that cremation is a cost-effective method to dispose of the deceased; traditional cremation costs similar to the amount of a burial. If you choose to bury the ashes in a grave plot or place a headstone, an additional cost will apply, and you may exceed your budget. An average cost of a traditional burial costs approximately $7,000.
Direct Cremation:
The least expensive method is direct cremation, as no services or ceremony occurs for the process. No viewing or a funeral ceremony is held. Instead, the body is incinerated, and ashes are returned to the grieving family for scattering. Therefore, this method is much cheaper and cost-friendly. The average cost of a direct cremation ranges between $450 to $2,500 in Oregon.
Cost of Cremation in Oregon:
With the increasing cremation rate, the cost of cremation has varied over the years. The cost of the cremation costs about $3,200 in the region. However, the average cremation cost in Oregon depends on the services and type of method you choose for your loved one. It is easy to arrange a service at a much lower price than cremation in the region.
The cremation rate in the United States has increased over the traditional burial. According to the National Funerals Directors Association (NFDA), by 2035, it is estimated that the cremation rate in the United States will experience a 50% increase. Therefore, with Oregon being one of the leading states to have a cremation rate of around 70%, the cost may vary according to states law.