According to the US National Vital Statistics Department, 34% of deaths in the US were cremated in 2006. The Cremation Association predicts that percentage to reach 40% by 2010 and 60% by 2025. This means that more people are going to be choosing cremation urns over the traditional funeral services.

Many religions allow cremation in their faith, which is more cost-effective for a family than a casket service. The cost will vary geographically and will range from about $400 for an infant to about $1000 for an adult. The cost usually includes transportation, storage, and cremation of the remains, a simple crematorium box, document processing and a temporary container.

A temporary container is either plastic or cardboard and is designed only to transport the cremated remains. For permanent internment, urns that are more permanent are available. There are many sources and many styles available from both the funeral home and online to choose from. Burial urns are made of wood, bronze or marble and in some cases even glass or ceramic.

Preplanning will allow you to compare the costs of burial urns, memorial services, and purchase of the plot or columbaria niche or the service to scatter your loved one’s ashes. Preplanning also gives you the opportunity to discuss your wishes with your family, whether they are going to keep the ashes or scatter the ashes.

Of course, you can choose a combination of a traditional casket funeral with a cremation rather than a direct cremation. A direct cremation is lower in cost. Now that embalmed bodies can be cremated, it is fairly simple to have an open casket service followed by cremation and interment. The cost ranges between $7000 and $8000, which compares to the lowest casket burial plans.

If you would like more information, you can contact the Funeral Consumers Alliance. They can provide objective third-party information about cremation and cost. They also can give you information about legal regulations that govern cremation from state to state.