The death of a loved one can lead you to experience perpetual episodes of trauma and emotional pain, which becomes even harder with the challenging responsibilities that come with losing a loved one. It is the most crucial time for any family to hold themselves together. In such times, it is even harder to make certain decisions. Choosing a funeral rite for your loved one can leave you in a state of distress and worry, and families are commonly concerned about the finances due to the sky-rocketing price of the rites. Since funerals are demanding and require a high budget, cremation has become a popular choice among families in the United States.
Many families are now choosing cremation over traditional burial as the price of both varies significantly and saves more time. A massive toll has splurged in the United States as 80% of Americans opt for cremation for the final funeral rite of their loved ones. As stated by the National Funerals Directors Association (NFDA) Consumers and Preference Report 2021, the burial rate is projected to be 36.3%, while the cremation rate is projected to be 57.5%. Similarly, it has also gained popularity in the state of Georgia as it is more affordable and cost-effective than a traditional burial. To set your budget and make an estimate of your finances, below is an overview of the average cremation cost in Georgia:
Laws of Funeral Rites in Georgia:
It is essential to be aware of the funeral laws in Georgia to understand the expenses. It is important to follow specific standards set by the law for disposing of the cremation remains. Within 72 hours of the death of a loved one, a death certificate with the local health government is filed in Georgia. Typically, the death certificate is filed by the person responsible for the remains of the deceased, funeral home, a cremation organization, or a mortuary.
You certainly need copies of the deceased’s death certificate for further documentation and personal record. Multiple copies are required if you are taking care of the deceased’s personal affairs. Suppose you are claiming any benefits or property in the deceased’s name. In that case, a certified copy will be required for each claim you make, including the benefits of veteran, social security, or life insurance. To obtain the copies, ask the organization which files the death certificate to order them upon the time of death. The cost of the first copy you receive of the death certificate in Georgia is $25, while the price for each additional copy is $5, which adds to the expenses of cremation cost in Georgia.
Who Can Apply for the Death Certificate?
In Georgia, any member of the deceased’s immediate family can apply for a copy of a death certificate or a legal representative of the deceased persons’ family, including someone interested in obtaining the death certificate. A copy of your identification is provided with the application.
Laws for Scattering the Ashes in Georgia?
According to the law, ashes are stored in either a container at home or a grave, niche, and crypt. Scattering the ashes is permissible and has various options; however, a permit from the funeral director is required to cremate the body or transport it outside the state. Scattering ashes is harmless for the environment; hence, gardens are provided by many cemeteries to scatter the ashes. However, it depends on each cemetery whether they charge any cost or not.
Scattering ashes on private and public land is also permissible by the law. Permission to scatter the ashes on federal land is required. The sea burial must is done within 50 days after the cremation in Georgia, and the local health department files a statement to scatter the ashes. The state law of Georgia and the Clean Water Act instructs to scatter the remains approximately 150 feet far away from the land. Various sea-scattering services are also available, which cost around $250 depending on the service type.
Cremation Process:
The cremation process involves the burning of the body at extremely high temperatures. As simple as the procedure may sound, it requires various steps and arrangements and the cremation cost in Georgia depends on it as the prices for each may vary.
The Procedure:
Any metals or jewelry are removed from the body, and devices attached due to certain medical conditions are stripped off to prevent any harmful effects during cremation. One of the costly expenses for the cremation budget is the cremation chamber. The burning is done in a cremation chamber made from top-quality bricks to resist high temperatures and fire using the high-voltage electrical power of about 2000 Fahrenheit, which adds a significant amount to the expenses of the cremation process. Next, any large bones left are crushed in a grinder, and lastly, the ashes are given to the family for scattering or memorialization. The body takes about two to three hours for the cremation process to complete.
Arrangements:
While cremation is efficient and less time-consuming than a traditional burial, some arrangements and logistics must be made before the incineration. Here are the arrangements required after the death of your loved one that includes the cremation cost in Georgia:
The Process:
The most expensive out of all the arrangements is the process of cremation. It is the first payment required for the procedure and logistics. Although, the cost depends on the cremation type and service you choose for your loved one.
Transportation:
Your loved one’s body is transported for burning from the place of their death to the crematory. A certain amount is paid for the transportation and the vehicle rental. The cost also depends on the size of the body; if the body has a larger size than the average more workforce and labor would be required. Hence, the cost may exceed. However, the price of every service may differ.
Refrigeration:
In Georgia, a waiting period of 24 hours is required before the cremation process. During this time, the body of the deceased needs to be refrigerated to prevent rotting. A separate fee is charged for refrigeration which adds to the cremation cost in Georgia.
A Casket:
A casket is one of the greatest expenses, and the price ranges from $500 to $2,000 depending upon the design and style. However, the laws in Georgia do not require a casket, and a container is used for cremation. Despite the laws, many families opt for a casket. Typically, the cost of a casket at funeral homes is much higher; therefore, they are easily rented at a much lower price. The cost depends on the design, style, and size of your casket.
Urn:
The ashes are returned to the family after incineration. The memorialization depends on whether you want to store them in urns at home or scatter them. A wide variety of urns is available in the market. The cost depends on the material, size, and design you pick for the remains of your loved one. Choose a basic ceramic urn over the metal or glass ones as it is more affordable and cost-friendly.
Death Certificate:
A death certificate in Georgia is typically prepared and filed by the funeral director. Only a family member is issued the death certificate of their loved one. It would help if you approached Georgia Vital Records Office in Atlanta to obtain a copy of a death certificate. It costs $25 to order the copy for the first time, while additional copies are $5.
Paperwork:
A legal process and paperwork are required before cremation. Therefore, a certain amount is paid for the documentation to proceed; the cost usually depends on the service you choose.
The cremation cost in Georgia also depends on the cremation you choose, so the price of a traditional cremation significantly varies from a direct cremation.
Traditional Cremation Cost in Georgia:
Traditional cremation is more familiar among people. It is a time-consuming and costly process as it involves various procedures. The services and costs include labor, transportation, vehicle rent, preparation of the body, and a casket. Although cremation is optional, the cost of a traditional cremation in Georgia is around $2,000.
Direct Cremation Cost in Georgia:
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 in Georgia is around $800.
Cost of Cremation in Georgia:
The cost of cremation in Georgia can start from $800. However, the average cremation cost makes approximately $4,500 according to the services of cremation and provider you pick. Direct cremation is the most common type of cremation that the families of Georgia choose for their loved ones as it is easy and cost-effective.
The cremation rate in the United States has increased over the traditional burial. According to the National Funerals Directors Association (NFDA), it is predicted that the cremation rate in all 50 U.S states and Washington D.C will exceed 50% by 2035. To know about the average cremation cost and its procedure in Georgia, follow the above guide.