Understanding Direct Cremation

Making decisions when someone dies can be overwhelming. At RIPPLE, we encourage you to plan ahead for yourself. Without a plan in place, the burden falls on your loved ones to decide what to do with your remains. In my experience as a Licensed Funeral Director, many cremations happen simply because the deceased never shared their wishes. Those left behind may not have the time or resources to plan a burial in such circumstances.

If you haven't expressed your wishes or set aside funds, cremation can alleviate some of the financial and logistical burdens associated with traditional or green burials. Burial plots are expensive, adding stress during an already difficult time and buying a burial plot, green or traditional, can take a few days and requires payment immediately.

We're all going to die – it's a matter of "when," not "if." So why delay planning the inevitable? Why hand more money to the funeral industry, which thrives when you lack a plan? Think about it – ever felt bewildered by all the jargon at a car dealership? That's how it feels to enter a funeral home right after losing someone, and between you and I - they love that confusion.

If this resonates with you, what is known as direct cremation might be the best option. Since no prior plan exists, cremation is often what happens anyway. Direct cremation is the most straightforward and least complicated method of body disposition.

Death traditions have come a long way, but the most important thing is feeling comfortable with the choice. Understand options – what happens to your body after death. Cremation is one type of disposition, and it's just one part of a funeral.

What is Direct Cremation?

Cremation has gained popularity in recent years as an alternative to traditional burial. At RIPPLE, we have streamlined the process so you don't have to go in person to a funeral home. We can meet with you on Zoom to get to know you and understand your needs. We're not here to upsell you; we're interested in listening and offering a seamless, efficient, and respectful experience.

Often chosen for its cost-effectiveness and simplicity, direct cremation is one of four "packages" funeral homes are legally obligated to offer according to the FTC. It includes:

  • Collection of the body from the place of death

  • Necessary permits and paperwork for cremation and the death certificate

  • Transportation to the crematory and the cremation itself

  • Returning the ashes to the family or friends

Since direct cremation doesn't include any services, embalming, or expensive caskets, it significantly reduces costs. However, this doesn't mean you can't have a memorial service. Choosing cremation allows you to focus on what you truly need for the healing process. There's no rush to hold a service, separating the immediate cremation process from a memorial that you can plan on your own timeframe. Traditional burials often leave families feeling pressured by the funeral home's control over the timeline.

The term "direct cremation" is mandated by law. Ripple understands that everyone deserves a meaningful goodbye. Even with cremation, we're here to help you organize a unique memorial service at non-traditional venues – everything expertly organized to your wishes.

What to Do Immediately After a Death

Death occurs in many places. Depending on where you are, RIPPLE has a plan on how to proceed.

  • Hospital: Contact RIPPLE. You can choose when the transfer takes place, giving you time to say goodbye.

  • Nursing Home: Similar to hospital scenarios, Ripple will coordinate with the nursing home and handle all necessary paperwork.

  • Private Home:

    • Expected (Hospice Care): Contact the hospice provider first Hospice will pronounce the death and sign the death certificate.

    • Unexpected: The police need to be contacted in this situation. With proper documentation, Ripple will coordinate the transfer once clearance is obtained.

The Direct Cremation Process

At Ripple, we help you avoid feeling overwhelmed by providing an organized approach that addresses your needs, one step at a time.

Take a deep breath

Grief is overwhelming, and shock is natural. Remember, the emergency has already happened. Let's figure this out together.

Making Initial Decisions

  • Pricing: Finding the right cremation services can be a confusing process, especially while grieving. Rather than feeling pressured, take the time to research cremation providers and compare their prices and services.

  • Agent of Disposition: If possible, consider appointing an "Agent of Disposition" while your loved one is still living. This form simplifies things by giving one trusted person the clear legal right to make decisions about their future final arrangements.

  • Legal Authority: If no agent is appointed, it's important to understand that New York State has a next-of-kin hierarchy determining who controls the disposition process.

  • Choosing a Funeral Home: Contact Ripple or another funeral home you trust. We'll need some basic information, such as:

    • The name of the deceased

    • The location of the deceased

    • The time of death (This helps determine if we can immediately take them into our care)

The Cremation

The cremation itself is performed in a specialized facility by trained professionals who ensure the process is carried out with dignity and respect. It is very common for funeral homes to use third-party crematories due to legal restrictions in certain locations, including New York State. We prioritize full transparency about the cremation's location and costs, ensuring loved ones are kept informed and comfortable with every aspect of the cremation process.

During cremation, the body is exposed to high temperatures, reducing it to bone fragments. These fragments are then processed into a finer ash. The entire process is conducted with care, ensuring that the remains are handled respectfully at all times.

Returning the Ashes

After the cremation, the ashes are collected and placed in a simple, yet dignified container. The family is then provided with the ashes, either via the post office or by hand from Ripple, allowing them to decide on the most fitting tribute for their loved one. Whether it's scattering the ashes in a meaningful location, keeping them in a special urn at home, or incorporating them into a memorial piece of jewelry, this final step offers families a way to keep their loved one's memory alive.

The High Cost of A Casket

Why do we spend a fortune on caskets when in reality our loved ones are going to be buried or cremated? Let's look behind the scenes of the funeral industry.

Often, we have no clear roadmap for what a loved one would have wanted. It's like being lost in a forest without knowing where to go. Especially when there is no plan left from the person who passed away, we are essentially guessing what they would have wanted?

Recently, I helped organize a funeral for a friend's father, and it got me really thinking about casket costs. My friend was presented with two plain pine box options – one priced at $995, and another for $1295. The only difference? "A pillow and some stuffing." That's when it hit me: funeral homes often capitalize on grief to upsell items that bring no real meaning or comfort to the farewell.

At Ripple, we approach things differently. We offer eco-friendly and minimalist choices without sacrificing a meaningful farewell. We have alternatives to traditional caskets, from biodegradable options to simple designs. It's your choice – spend more on a casket, or put that money towards a unique memorial service, supporting grieving loved ones, or a charitable donation in the name of the person you've lost.

Conclusion

Choosing between cremation and traditional burial is deeply personal. Direct cremation offers several advantages, including cost-effectiveness, simplicity, and flexibility. With the focus on the cremation itself, families have the freedom to plan a memorial service that truly reflects the life and personality of their loved one, completely independent of time constraints.

FAQs

What is the step by step process of cremation?

The cremation process begins with the collection of the deceased from their place of death, followed by the necessary preparations for cremation, including paperwork and legal permits. The body is then cremated at high temperatures, reducing it to bone fragments. These fragments are processed into ashes and returned to the family in a chosen container. This process ensures that your loved one is treated with respect and care from start to finish.

What is the difference between a pure cremation and a direct cremation?

Direct cremation is the process of cremating the body without a traditional funeral service. The key difference lies in the post-cremation arrangements: direct cremation does not include any form of ceremony or memorial service, focusing solely on the cremation, while direct cremation often allows families the flexibility to arrange a separate memorial service at their convenience, separate from the cremation provider's services.

Do you get ashes from direct cremation?

Yes, after a direct cremation, the ashes of the deceased are returned to the family. This allows families to decide on the most fitting way to honor their loved one's memory, whether through scattering the ashes, placing them in an urn, or incorporating them into memorial items. The return of the ashes is a crucial aspect of direct cremation, providing families with a tangible remembrance of their loved one.