Simple cremation is a straightforward, no-frills cremation arrangement that includes only the essential services needed to cremate a deceased person and return the remains to the family. There is no formal funeral service, no embalming, no viewing, and no elaborate ceremony -- just cremation. For families who want an affordable, uncomplicated approach to final disposition, simple cremation offers a respectful option that typically costs between $1,000 and $3,000.
Whether you have heard it called simple cremation, just cremation, or basic cremation, the concept is the same: you are choosing cremation as the method of final disposition without the additional services and expenses that come with a traditional funeral. This guide explains exactly what simple cremation includes, how it compares to other cremation options, and how to arrange one.
What Is Simple Cremation?
Simple cremation -- sometimes marketed as "just cremation" or "simply cremation" -- refers to a cremation arrangement stripped down to its essentials. The provider takes care of the minimum requirements: transporting the deceased, handling necessary paperwork, performing the cremation, and returning the remains.
What Simple Cremation Includes
While specifics vary by provider, a standard simple cremation package typically covers:
- Transfer of the deceased: Picking up the body from the place of death (hospital, home, nursing facility, or medical examiner's office) and transporting it to the cremation facility
- Basic professional services: Administrative work including coordination with the family and required record-keeping
- Refrigeration: Temporary storage of the body until the cremation takes place (rather than embalming)
- Cremation container: A simple, combustible container that meets legal requirements for cremation
- The cremation itself: The actual cremation process performed at a licensed crematory
- Cremation permit and required documentation: Filing for the legal permits needed to perform the cremation
- Return of remains: The processed cremated remains returned to the family in a basic container or temporary urn
What Simple Cremation Does Not Include
To keep costs low, simple cremation excludes many services associated with traditional funerals:
- Embalming or other body preparation
- Viewing, visitation, or wake
- Funeral service, memorial ceremony, or gathering at the funeral home
- Casket (a simple cremation container is used instead)
- Decorative urn (remains are returned in a basic container; you can purchase an urn separately)
- Flowers, printed programs, guest books, or other ceremony items
- Clergy or officiant coordination
- Obituary placement
Simple Cremation vs. Direct Cremation
The terms "simple cremation" and "direct cremation" are often used interchangeably, and in practice they refer to essentially the same thing. Both describe a cremation that takes place without a prior funeral service. However, there can be subtle differences depending on the provider:
| Feature | Simple Cremation | Direct Cremation |
|---|---|---|
| Formal funeral service | No | No |
| Viewing or visitation | No | No |
| Embalming | No | No |
| Cremation included | Yes | Yes |
| Return of remains | Yes | Yes |
| Typical price range | $1,000 - $3,000 | $1,000 - $3,000 |
| Marketing emphasis | Simplicity and ease | Speed and affordability |
The main difference is often in branding. Some providers use "simple cremation" to emphasize the ease and low stress of their process, while "direct cremation" emphasizes that the body goes directly to cremation without an intervening service. From a practical standpoint, the services included are nearly identical.
For more detail about direct cremation specifically, see our guide on what is direct cremation.
How Much Does Simple Cremation Cost?
Simple cremation is one of the most affordable options for final disposition. Costs vary based on geographic location, the provider, and whether any additional services are added.
Typical Cost Breakdown
| Cost Component | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Basic services fee | $200 - $800 |
| Transportation / transfer | $150 - $500 |
| Cremation fee | $200 - $600 |
| Cremation container | $50 - $200 |
| Permits and documentation | $50 - $300 |
| Total | $1,000 - $3,000 |
Factors That Affect Price
Several factors influence how much you will pay for simple cremation:
- Location: Cremation costs vary significantly by region and even by city. Urban areas tend to be more expensive than rural areas. For state-by-state data, see our average cremation cost by state guide.
- Provider type: A standalone crematory or direct cremation company typically charges less than a full-service funeral home offering simple cremation as one of their options.
- Body weight: Some providers charge additional fees if the deceased exceeds a certain weight threshold. Learn more in our guide on cremation for overweight individuals.
- Weekend or after-hours pickup: Some providers add fees for transporting the deceased outside of normal business hours.
- Death certificates: The cost per certified copy of the death certificate varies by state and is often not included in the base cremation price.
For a comprehensive look at pricing, including potential add-on fees, see our cremation cost guide and our article on hidden cremation fees to watch.
How to Arrange a Simple Cremation
Arranging a simple cremation is designed to be straightforward. Here is what the process typically looks like.
Step 1: Contact a Cremation Provider
Reach out to a cremation provider in your area. You can search for local options using our provider directory or see our guide on finding cremation services near you. Many simple cremation providers allow you to make arrangements entirely by phone or online.
Step 2: Provide Authorization
The provider will need legal authorization to proceed with the cremation. This typically involves:
- A signed cremation authorization form from the legal next of kin
- Verification of the deceased's identity
- Information for the death certificate (name, date of birth, Social Security number, etc.)
Step 3: Coordinate Transfer
The provider will arrange to pick up the deceased from the place of death. If the death occurred at a hospital or care facility, the staff there will hold the body until the cremation provider arrives. If the death occurred at home, you will need to have the death pronounced by a physician, nurse, or medical examiner before the body can be transported.
Step 4: Wait for Required Timeframes
Most states impose a mandatory waiting period -- typically 24 to 48 hours -- between the time of death and when the cremation can take place. This waiting period allows time for the necessary permits and documentation to be processed.
Step 5: Receive the Cremated Remains
After the cremation is complete, the provider will notify you that the remains are ready for pickup or arrange to have them delivered or shipped. The remains will be in a basic container unless you have provided an urn. From here, you can decide what to do with the cremation ashes on your own timeline.
Can You Still Hold a Memorial After Simple Cremation?
Absolutely. Choosing simple cremation does not mean you are giving up the opportunity to honor your loved one. Many families choose simple cremation for the disposition itself and then hold a separate memorial event on their own terms. This approach offers several advantages:
- No time pressure: You can hold the memorial weeks or even months later, giving distant family and friends time to plan their attendance
- Flexible locations: Host a gathering at home, in a park, at a restaurant, or in any place that held special meaning
- Lower cost: By separating the cremation from the memorial, you avoid paying the funeral home's facility fees
- Personalization: You have complete creative freedom to plan the event exactly as you wish
For inspiration, see our guides on celebration of life ideas and cremation memorial ideas without a formal service.
Who Chooses Simple Cremation?
Simple cremation appeals to a wide range of people for many different reasons:
- Budget-conscious families: Those who want a dignified option without the high cost of a traditional funeral
- People who pre-plan: Individuals who want to spare their families the burden and expense of complex funeral arrangements
- Those who prefer simplicity: People who lived simply and want their final arrangements to reflect that philosophy
- Families planning their own tributes: Those who intend to organize a personal memorial separately from the disposition
- Environmentally conscious individuals: People who view cremation as a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional burial
- Seniors on fixed incomes: Older adults looking for affordable end-of-life options. See our guide on cremation costs for seniors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is simple cremation the cheapest option?
Simple cremation, also known as direct cremation, is typically the least expensive professional option for handling a deceased person's remains. Prices generally range from $1,000 to $3,000 depending on your location and provider. The only potentially cheaper option is whole-body donation to medical science, which some programs offer at no cost to the family. For more affordable options, see our guide to the cheapest cremation options near you.
What happens to the body before a simple cremation?
After the body is transported to the cremation facility, it is placed in refrigeration until the cremation takes place. No embalming or cosmetic preparation occurs with simple cremation. The body is kept in a simple container and identified with a tracking tag. The cremation typically occurs within two to five days of the death, depending on state regulations and permit processing times.
Can I have a viewing before simple cremation?
Standard simple cremation does not include a viewing. However, many providers offer an optional private family identification viewing, sometimes called a "witness identification," for an additional fee. This is a brief, informal opportunity for immediate family to see the deceased before cremation, without the formal preparation associated with a traditional viewing. For more information, see our guide on viewing before cremation.
Do I need to buy an urn for simple cremation?
No. Cremation providers are required to return the remains in some form of container, and a basic temporary container is typically included with simple cremation. If you want a more permanent or decorative urn, you can purchase one from the provider, from a third-party retailer, or online -- often at a lower cost than what a funeral home charges. See our guide to choosing a cremation urn for tips.
Can I arrange simple cremation in advance?
Yes, and pre-planning a simple cremation is one of the smartest steps you can take for your family. Pre-arranging allows you to compare providers without time pressure, document your wishes clearly, and in some cases lock in pricing at today's rates. Our guide on how to plan cremation in advance covers everything you need to know.