Over the years, direct cremations have become increasingly popular thanks to how simple and affordable they are. When you’re dealing with a loss, sometimes the very last thing you want to do is navigate a complex array of funeral arrangements. Or, if you’re pre-planning your own funerary arrangements, you might prefer this as a simple alternative that places as little stress on your loved ones as possible.
Accessing a direct cremation can be a seamless process in Auckland if you have the right guidance. The team at Natural Funeral started our company because we heard many clients beginning to ask for a more direct or natural alternative, which means we have a lot of experience delivering a unique kind of care for a person’s body.
For some, that translates into direct cremations. That’s why we want to guide you through how to easily arrange direct cremation services with a company like ours.
Is a Direct Cremation for You?
In short, choosing a direct cremation is ideal for anyone who doesn’t want a big fuss or a large bill. The deceased is cremated without a traditional funeral service being conducted beforehand, hence the term ‘direct’. This can be a cost-effective or convenient option, allowing you to arrange your own gathering or memorial services later for relatives and friends.
In a direct cremation, we use simple cardboard or plywood coffins, which heavily reduces the cost when compared to more ornate coffin or burial options. The individual who has passed on is cremated, and the ashes will be readily available for any memorial services to come.
Despite this option being more affordable when compared to other burial options, there are still expenses involved in a direct cremation. It’s important to be aware of these costs prior to arranging the cremation to avoid any surprises. These costs include the transfer of your loved one, a death certificate, a doctor’s certificate, and the cremation fee. Generally speaking, a direct cremation in Auckland will cost anywhere between $3,900 and $4,400.
In summary, a direct cremation is for you or your loved one if you’re looking for an affordable, simple option that still leaves the door open for an upcoming memorial service. If you’re considering a direct cremation for yourself, think about including that choice in your will or letting your loved ones know about your preference.
How to Arrange a Direct Cremation
Get in Touch
Begin by reaching out to your chosen cremation service provider to begin the process of arranging your loved ones’ cremation. If you’ve chosen Natural Funeral as your direct cremation provider, you can reach us over the phone or via a website enquiry (although we recommend the phone as a first port of call).
When you get in touch with us, we’ll ask a few questions to clarify your unique situation. For example, we may ask where or when your loved one passed away, if any other plans have been made for their memorial, the name of the deceased, and your preferred date for cremation.
Complete the Required Paperwork
Cremation requires a few different pieces of paperwork, which we will happily guide you through. This will usually include acquiring a death certificate, a doctor’s certificate, and information around the transport of your deceased loved one.
This might also include filling out a funeral grant, which is designed to provide loved ones with the funds they need to send off their deceased should they need any help with funeral costs. As part of the completion of the paperwork, we’ll also work with you to arrange the transport of your loved one to our crematorium.
Select the Coffin
For direct cremations, we use two different coffin styles to help move the process along: cardboard and plywood. Cardboard caskets are generally more cost-effective, while some family members prefer the plywood option as a more formal send-off. If you’re unsure of your choice, we’re here to help you make your selection as simple as possible.
Receive the Ashes
Finally, once your loved one has been cremated, you will be able to receive the ashes as quickly as possible. This allows them to be present for any memorial services you may have arranged to say goodbye. The speed and simplicity of this process is a big reason why more and more families are choosing this option as a way to send off their departed loved ones, allowing them to be flexible with arrangements following the cremation.
Keep in mind that this process might vary slightly depending on where your loved one passed – at home, in hospital, or in hospice – and what your ideal timing is.
We understand that this can be a beyond difficult time, and making even the smallest decisions can feel overwhelming. Therefore, when in doubt, you can rely on the Natural Funeral team to guide you through our direct cremation services. Simply give us a call to get started.
Choose The Natural Funeral Company for your direct cremation
Considering direct cremation for yourself or your loved one? Get in touch with The Natural Funeral Company so our team can guide you through these steps with ease, allowing you to focus on saying goodbye.