A loved one’s death is the most crucial time for any family to hold themselves. It gets overwhelming, and soon after the death, they have to put aside their grief to deal with the responsibilities of performing rites. Moreover, the mourning period becomes financially distressing as the funeral costs may sit heavy in their pockets, leaving the family worried. The decision to choose a burial or cremation plays a crucial role as the cost of both varies significantly. As a traditional funeral is expensive, families in the United States are choosing the option of cremation.
As per the 2021 Consumers and Preference Report of the National Funerals Directors Association (NFDA), the cremation rate in the United States is said to take an uprise in the coming years. The report states the projected rate of cremation is 57.5%, whereas the projection rate of burial is 36.6%. Similarly, in 2018, the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) statistics projected the cremation rate to be 63.2% in Minnesota. Families are now opting for cremation over traditional burial as it is cost-effective and affordable. Let’s find out why people choose cremation over burial, the procedure of cremation, and the average cost of cremation in Minnesota.
Why Choose Cremation?
Since cremation has gained popularity and there is demand in the U.S, it is important to know what makes it a better choice. Following are the reasons why people choose cremation over traditional burial:
Pocket-friendly:
Cremation is generally cheaper and more affordable than a burial. As reported by the National Funeral Directors Association in 2021, the funeral cost with burial was around $7,848, whereas the cost of cremation and a funeral was approximately $6,791. The report suggests cremation be a more economical and affordable option than a burial.
Portable:
Once the cremation has taken place, it is easier for the family to decide whether to keep the urn at the memorial service or take it home. Either way, you can always move the remains of your loved ones from one place to another, be it a columbarium or the comfort of your home. This portable option also allows you to turn the ashes into jewelry or ornaments to keep the loved ones even closer to you.
Planning:
Cremation planning is simpler than burial, as the required logistics and arrangements are few. It is a flexible choice as it requires less space, is low maintenance, and provides enough time for the family to plan the funeral ceremony.
Display options:
If you opt for cremation, the memorial displays ideas to express your love for the deceased are many. You can choose a columbarium to display the urn or turn it into a decoration piece for your home; the choice is yours. Paying tribute to them depends on how you want it to be.
Environmentally friendly:
The chances of decomposition are less in cremation unless you scatter the ashes into the soil. An alternate option for traditional cremation can also be water cremation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis; it is a dissolution process with a lower carbon footprint and less fuel. Therefore, cremation has become a popular choice, and its long-term impact on the environment is significantly 10% less than burial, according to the Cremation Association of North America (CANA).
Read more to know the laws and procedures required to perform cremation in Minnesota.
Laws of Funeral Rites in Minnesota:
It is essential to be aware of the funeral laws in Minnesota to understand the expenses. Specific standards are set by the law to be followed for disposing of cremation remains. Within 72 hours of the death of a loved one, a death certificate with the local health government is filed in Minnesota. Typically, the death certificate is filed by the person responsible for the remains of the deceased, a funeral home, a cremation organization, or a mortuary.
You and your family will certainly need copies of the deceased’s death certificate for further documentation and personal record. Multiple copies are required if you take care of the deceased’s personal affairs or claim any benefits or property in the deceased’s name. In such a situation, a certified copy will be required for each claim you make, including veteran benefits, 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 Minnesota is $13. The price for each additional copy is $6, adding to the cost of cremation in Minnesota.
Laws for Scattering the Ashes in Minnesota:
According to the law, ashes are stored in either a container at home or a grave, niche, or 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. You can also scatter the ashes at Lake Superior or inland water as long as you are using sustainable and biodegradable containers for the ashes.
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 cost of cremation in Minnesota depends on it as the prices for each may vary.
The Procedure:
Any metals or jewelry are removed from the body, or 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.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Cremation:
Here are the factors and services that affect the cost and determine the total expense of the cremation of your loved one.
The Process:
The most expensive service is the process of cremation and is the first payment required to make for the procedure of cremation. However, this cost varies on the service and cremation type you choose for your loved one.
Transferring the Body:
The body of your loved one is transferred where the death occurred to the crematory for burning. A certain fee for the service or rental vehicle is paid for the body’s transportation. Additional charges may apply if the body weighs more than average as more labor is needed.
Refrigeration Period:
A 72-hour waiting is required to proceed with cremation in Minnesota. The deceased’s body is refrigerated during this period, and a fee is charged to add to the cost of cremation in Minnesota.
Casket:
The Minnesota laws do not require a casket. Instead, a container is required to be used for cremation. Although, families in Minnesota commonly use caskets for the process. One of the expensive additions is the casket, as it offers many 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 display at your home. Urns come in different varieties, so the prices differ 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 Minnesota. A certificate is filed within five days following death and before starting the cremation procedure. A certified death certificate copy is priced at $13, whereas an additional copy costs about $6.
Cost of Cremation in Minnesota
Following are the types of cremation and their costs; you can choose the service depending on your budget and requirements.
Traditional or Full-Service Cremation:
Traditional cremation is expensive and time-consuming; it involves a funeral ceremony, wake, or viewing the deceased at a funeral home or a church at a public gathering. The average cost of a traditional cremation in Minnesota costs $7,459. Services that affect the expenses include:
- Labor work
- Transportation fees,
- Vehicle rent
- Embalming
- Funeral ceremony
- Cremation
Direct Cremation:
Direct cremation is the cheapest type of cremation that does not involve a formal funeral service. It involves no ceremony, wake, or viewing. During this method, the body is directly incinerated, and the ashes are returned to the family for scattering. Hence, direct cremation is a cost-effective and straightforward alternative to traditional funeral services. On average, it costs around $2,914.
Average Cost of Cremation in Minnesota:
The cremation cost mostly depends on the type of cremation service you choose. However, the average cost of cremation in Minnesota ranges between $600 to $3,700.
Cremation Cost in Minneapolis:
Since Minneapolis is a major and most populous city in Minnesota, the cremation rate is higher than in other cities. Many families opt for cremation instead of a traditional burial. It is important to know how much cremation costs in a major city to estimate the average cost of cremation in any state. With many services available in the city, the price may vary considerably depending on the type and service you choose. For a direct cremation in Minneapolis, the price ranges between $800 to $3,000.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Cremation Services:
Below are some common FAQs answered regarding cremation:
How Long is the Process of Cremation?
The time required for the cremation process depends on different factors such as the body size, equipment used, or the type of vessel containing the body. Usually, a flame-based cremation takes 2-3 hours to complete, while liquid-based cremation consumes up to 15 hours.
Who Can Apply for the Death Certificate?
Any member of the deceased’s immediate family can apply for a copy of a death certificate or a legal representative of the deceased person’s family, including someone interested in obtaining the death certificate. A copy of your identification is provided with the application.
What to do with the Ashes after Cremation?
There are various options to choose from when deciding what to do with the ashes after cremation. The most common choice is to store the remains in an urn and keep them at home. Another way is to scatter the ashes into the ground or a garden; you can also bury them in a cemetery or burial plot. Sea burial is also a popular option where you can release the urn filled with ashes into the sea.