Among the various cremation services available in St. Peters, MO, to families is direct cremation. It’s the simplest form of cremation where no ceremonial services are involved. That is, no visitation, wake, or funeral service. 

As a result, it is a low-cost form of cremation, which, among other reasons, has made it one of the popular disposition methods in Missouri and the rest of the United States. 

How Direct Cremation Works 

Also known as basic cremation, direct cremation involves little planning because there’s not much to plan for. 

After death, the cremation provider collects the deceased and takes their body straight to the crematory. Their body is cremated in a simple, plain coffin without any fanfare. 

In most cases, family members aren’t allowed to attend or view the cremation process, an option in other forms of cremation. 

When the cremation process is complete, the provider returns the ashes to the designated member of the surviving family. 

There are different ways to handle the ashes after. It can be kept, buried, or scattered in a special location according to the deceased’s wishes. 

In more summarized form, the typical timeline of a direct cremation looks like this: 

• The cremation provider collects your loved one and brings them into their care 
• All relevant paperwork and permits are completed, i.e., death certificate, cremation authorization form, etc. 
• Cremation takes place in a plain coffin or cardboard container 
• Ashes are placed in a simple plastic, cardboard urn, or urn provided by the family 
• Depending on the arrangement, the urn is collected or delivered to the authorized family member. 

From start to finish, the direct cremation process takes between one and two weeks. Sometimes, within 48 to 72 hours. The exact duration depends on the funeral home’s efficiency and paperwork clearance since it involves several third parties. 

The Costs of Direct Cremation

As mentioned, direct cremation is the cheapest form of cremation. All you have to pay for is the cremation itself and administrative fees, and the exact price varies between funeral homes and crematoriums, depending on the included services. 

However, a standard direct cremation bill covers: 

• Transportation for collection of your loved one 
  
• Filing of paperwork and permits 
  
• Cremation container 
  
• Cremation itself 
  
• Ashes container 
  
• Ashes delivery (if applicable) 

As you can see, there’s not much to pay for. That’s why the average cost of a direct cremation in Missouri can be as low as $1000, compared to a traditional funeral which costs upwards of $7,000. 

Other factors contribute to the costs of direct cremation. For instance, a funeral home may charge more if they need extra hands to collect the body. This could be because the person is overweight, or they died in a private residence. 

Whatever the case may be, short of donating the body to science, direct cremation is the most affordable cremation option for families. 

Contact us for additional questions or if you would like to arrange direct cremation services in St. Peters, MO, for a loved one. Our staff is eager to answer them, and we’re here to help. Call us now; our line is open 24/7.