What Is Direct Cremation?

Direct cremation is cremation that occurs without any formal viewing of the remains or any visitation or ceremony with the body present. In some cases, the person’s body may be taken directly to the crematory if it is attached to a funeral home with storage. Most states require a waiting period between death and cremation ranging from 24 to 48 hours for the purposes of paperwork such as the death certificate and cremation authorization, so the body may be stored at a funeral home in the interim. Direct cremation usually does not include embalming. 

According to the Federal Trade Commission, the cost of direct cremation is typically less than that of cremation with a funeral. However, if you work with a funeral home, you will be charged a basic services fee and a fee for transportation and care of the body and, where appropriate, storage fees. 

With that being said, you may be able to arrange direct cremation without involving a funeral home. However, you may need to hire a funeral director, either to file the death certificate or oversee the process of cremation and/or burial, if their involvement is mandated in your state. (As of this writing, states that require a funeral director’s involvement include Alabama, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, and New York.) To help you navigate the specific legal requirements in your area, check out Nolo’s Guide to Burial and Cremation Laws or contact your local chapter of the Funeral Consumer Alliance for advice.

To the extent allowed by state law, you can make arrangements with the crematorium directly and transport your loved one’s body yourself. (This is usually done using a van or SUV.)  However, not all crematories work directly with the public, so it may take some time to find one that will. You will also need to make sure that the appropriate documents are complete. Most importantly, you will need to file a death certificate, which can be difficult in some states due to restrictive state laws. You will also need to file a disposition permit and additional permits if you are crossing county lines. See our Comprehensive Step-by-Step Planning Guide: Choosing Funeral Arrangements and Disposition, for more information about documents you may need.

Since arranging transportation and completing documentation can be quite stressful and difficult, many families enlist the help of a home funeral guide to assist them at this time. These specially trained consultants can ease the process in many ways. For example, they can help you find providers and guide you in how to care for your loved one’s body after death. They are also knowledgeable about the law and can facilitate communication with a funeral director if that’s required. 

To find a home funeral guide in your area, visit our local venues and services section or consult the Home Funeral Alliance directory of providers, which lists home funeral guides across the United States. Alternatively, you may contact the Consumer Funeral Alliance with any questions you have. 

Sources

“NHFA Directory”. National Home Funeral Alliance. https://www.homefuneralalliance.org

Funeral Consumers Alliance. https://funerals.org/

“Burial and Cremation Laws”. NOLO. https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/burial-cremation-laws 

“Types of Funerals”. Federal Trade Commission. https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/types-funerals#cremation