Burial & Cremation Cost Comparison: Understanding The Financial Implications

By: Alterna Cremation
Monday, February 27, 2023

When a loved one passes away, several decisions must be made for the funeral. For many families, one of the most difficult decisions is whether to bury their beloved or have them cremated—and it often comes down to cost. There are many different facets of pricing for end-of-life services, and this guide will help you consider the costs of both types of services. 


Costs for a Funeral
 

Many people rightly perceive that burials are the more expensive option. From the basic fee for the service (which can usually run around $2,000), you also have lots of other smaller costs that can really add up. For example, you’ll need to transfer the body to the funeral home ($200 to $300), prepare and embalm the body ($200 to $1,000), and hire a hearse ($300 to $400). 
 
Those prices don’t include the use of the funeral home or staff, which can often run to an additional $1,000. 
 
Most families who opt for an end-of-life service also want to commemorate the occasion with printed items for the memorial. These can add up to a few hundred dollars depending on the number and quality of the print materials. 
 
Burial is also more expensive, requiring a grave plot (roughly $1,000), a headstone ($1,500 to $2,500), and a casket (which can vary in price from $1,000 to $10,000). 
 
Generally, a funeral and burial could cost around $20,000 depending on the material selected for the casket, which is the most expensive aspect. 


Costs for Cremation
 

The cost of cremation is typically significantly lower than burial costs. You might incur some of the same charges if you intend to have a viewing and funeral service prior to the cremation. For example, you may still need to rent the funeral home or embalm the body if there is to be an open-casket viewing. You might also opt for print materials like memorials for the service. 
 
The good news is that instead of purchasing a casket, you could rent one for much less money, saving thousands over the purchase of a new one. 
 
Direct cremation is substantially less expensive than burial, between $1,400 and $5,000. Urns can vary in price, but you can get one for as low as $200 in some cases. If you don’t want an urn, services offered by Alterna Cremation can include a simple yet dignified container at no charge. 


 
Learn More About Cost Savings
 

If you want to know more about how you can save with Winnipeg cremation services, be sure to reach out to Alterna Cremation today. We’ll walk you through the process and help you choose the best services for your loved one, their family, and friends. Give us a call today to learn more about our services. 

 

Leave a comment
Name*:
Email:
Comment*:
Please enter the numbers and letters you see in the image. Note that the case of the letters entered matters.

Comments

Please wait

Previous Posts

Pre-Planning Cremation: Why It Makes Sense For Your Family

Thinking about cremation might not be the most pleasant thing in the world, but it’s well worth the potential discomfort. By pre-planning your cremation, you can reduce stress, save money, and ensu...

Aftercare Services: The Support Continues After Cremation

When a loved one passes, there is so much to deal with, from grief to legalities. Assistance in helping you process your loss shouldn't stop after cremation.  Here are a few ways that we can ...

Environmental Considerations: How Cremation Reduces Carbon Footprint

As you put your end-of-life wishes in order or make arrangements for the funeral of a loved one, there are countless decisions to make. One of the most pivotal is whether to choose burial or cremat...

Winnipeg Cremation Services Provider Offers Custom-Engraved Keepsakes

WINNIPEG, MB:  Alterna Cremation, a locally owned and operated funeral home providing dignified direct cremation services, is now offering custom-engraved keepsakes to the families in its care...

Traditional Vs. Direct Cremation: Which Is Right For You?

Planning a funeral service for yourself or a loved one can feel overwhelming when you’re already mired in grief. One of the first decisions to make is whether you want to opt for direct cremation o...

The Role Of Cremation In Eco-Friendly Funeral Planning

Many people prize the opportunity to be as eco-friendly as possible. Beyond just shopping at a local farmer's market, you might also want to look toward having a green funeral. An eco-friendly fune...

How To Properly Store An Urn In Your Home

When a loved one passes away, you want to do what you can to honour them and the life they lived. For many people, this means storing their loved one's ashes somewhere in their home. While keeping ...

Female-Owned Winnipeg Funeral Home Reflects On Five Years In Business As International Women’s Day Is Celebrated

WINNIPEG, MB:  Alterna Cremation, an alternative funeral home focused on dignified and direct cremation services, is in its fifth year of business.  And, with International Women’s Day be...

How To Talk To Kids About Death

Death is an inevitable part of life, but many parents face a unique challenge when a loved one passes on: Telling their kids and explaining what death means. Young children may have a hard time pro...

Music Suggestions For Funeral Services

Music expresses what words cannot and stirs human emotions in meaningful and powerful ways.  For this reason, life cycle events, like weddings and funerals, are often punctuated with poignant ...