There can be a HUGE difference between funeral homes on the cost of a direct cremation. Therefore, it pays to shop around. All funeral homes are required to give prices over the telephone. Using the Yellow Pages, consider calling all funeral homes in a 50-mile radius.
First, ask for the price of "a direct cremation with a minimum alternative container." (That means with a cardboard casket or other non-fancy box.) Once you have that price, ask, "Does that include the crematory fee?" If the funeral home doesn't own the crematory, the crematory fee may be extra. Then ask if there are any additional charges such as for permits.
Cremation prices will vary considerably from one region to the next, especially if there is open price-competition. In some areas, a cremation may be as low as $500. Even if you don't find a price that low, you should be able to find something less than $1,000 by shopping around.
"Preneed" is a term coined by the funeral industry to describe the arrangement and payment of a funeral prior to death. Obviously, if you are to have any say in it, you must plan in advance of your death. "Prearrangement" is also used interchangeably with "preneed".
Thanks for writing, and thanks for your kind words. Let me answer your questions one by one.
"Is Texas one of the states where the mortuary "owns" a deceased body (funeral director must sign the death certificate)?"
REPLY: No. You have the right to do your own funeral in Texas if you wish.
And if so, how can I ensure that a direct cremation happens immediately to prevent storage fees? Must I request this in writing/get written guarantee prior to removal of my loved one to prevent later fee gouging?
REPLY: It's always a good idea to shop around first so you know the prices and practices of a funeral home well before you need them. Our local groups in TX can help. There's a link at the top of the page to "Find a Local FCA.
TX law requires that a body be refrigerated, or embalmed, or in a sealed casket 24 hours after the death. Because a cremation often can't happen immediately - insisting on it won't change that reality - you should find a funeral home that charges no or very low refrigeration fees.
"Does the hospital call the funeral home of my choice or theirs (is this information detailed on the release a hospital gives me to sign to remove the body)?"
REPLY: No. The hospital has no right to choose a business for you. You pick the funeral home, not them.
What law(s) protect(s) my choices at this juncture given that I won't likely be in as collected a state as I can be now?
REPLY: There are many. The most important is called the Federal Trade Commission's Funeral Rule. The FTC puts out a great pamphlet explaining it here:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/products/pro26.shtm
The key to making sure you're not taken advantage of is advanced planning. As you gather information now, put it into a folder for later reference, and most importantly, share it with your family. Instruct them on their rights, or everything you're learning now wont' help anyone when death comes. You'll find lots of good pamphlets on our site. Visit "Frequently Asked Questions" on the left-hand menu.
Cheers,
Josh Slocum
Exec. Director
Does the hospital call the funeral home of my choice or theirs (is this information detailed on the release a hospital gives me to sign to remove the body)? What law(s) protect(s) my choices at this juncture given that I won't likely be in as collected a state as I can be now?
THANK YOU for existing...you have no idea what a relief it is to know a non-commercial entity is available for questions that stress me enough to even think about, much less ask.
The crematory at which I am employed (Ardent) charges only $795.00 and that is the lowest I've ever seen. They do cover the entire state of Maryland.
There is also the Anatomy Gifts Registry, which offers free cremation if tissues are allowed to be procured first for Medical Science and Education purposes. To me, that option is even better than the $800 - but that's just my opinion.
Here, no viewing, a mass and the cremation is close to
$6000.00
It depends on the state. Some states have cremation-only businesses, others require funeral homes to operate crematories, and still others allow crematories only on cemetery property.
Whether the business is "cremation-only" or a full-service funeral home matters less, I think, than whether the price is fair and the service acceptable.
Josh Slocum
FCA
why not arrange for the body to go directly to Crematory?