Light cremation vs traditional: What's right for me?

The average cost for a simple and direct cremation arrangement with Light Cremations is $1,920*. Click here to see the price for your area.

At the difficult moment a loved one passes away, it can feel overwhelming with all of the decisions that need to be made. Making these decisions without all of the required information, at a time you are grieving, can be very tough. Knowing that your loved one wants to be cremated is the first step. Within cremation, there are a number of options available to you.

Historically, the person organising the funeral will call a funeral home, who will provide information on their selection of cremations with a memorial service. Prior to contacting the funeral home, you should understand the difference between a Light cremation and a more expensive traditional cremation.

What’s the difference between Light and a funeral home cremation?

Traditional cremations are typically coordinated through a funeral home, and their comprehensive service packages often encompass more than just the cremation itself. These packages may include services such as embalming and dressing your loved one for a viewing or memorial service, offering private viewings with the option of an open or closed casket, arranging traditional funeral or memorial services either at their facility or your chosen location, and additional customisable services like rental caskets, floral arrangements, catering, decorative urns, and more.

On the other hand, a Light cremation, also known as a no-service cremation or 'direct cremation,' provides a straightforward and cost-effective alternative to traditional funerals. Our services focus on delivering the essential elements of cremation, which include a dedicated arranger, transportation and logistics, private cremation, assistance with the death certificate and registration, the return of your loved one's ashes, ongoing support, and simple arrangement options that allow you to make arrangements from the comfort of your home, online or over the phone. This way, you can be present with your family instead of spending time comparing traditional funeral home services.

There is another important difference between the Light and cremation services offered by traditional funeral homes, and it has to do with timing. Funeral homes usually have a strict schedule, which can be beneficial for some families. However, it can also make others feel rushed during the entire process. With Light, you have the advantage of flexibility, as you are not obligated to quickly arrange a funeral or memorial service within a short period of time. After your loved one is cremated, you can take your time to plan a more personalised memorial service, without the limitations and time constraints that come with a funeral home's schedule.

How do I get the ashes back?

All cremation providers should include transportation in their service package, along with giving you specific information on where and how they will deliver your loved one’s ashes to you.

Direct cremation providers will typically deliver the ashes back to you immediately after the cremation has occurred. This can be in the form of hand delivery, or via tracked and registered mail. In both cases, the utmost care is taken to ensure that you receive the cremated remains in a timely and secure manner. In most instances, traditional funeral homes will have your loved one’s ashes delivered back to their funeral home for you to collect. In general, when working with a traditional funeral home, transportation fees tend to be higher.

What is the cost of a funeral home cremation and a Light cremation?

The cost of every funeral home service is different. Prices between homes vary and depend on how elaborate a service you are looking for. Each additional feature (flowers, casket, celebrant etc.) will have extra fees, which are unique to that funeral home. A service fee is also added, which can vary substantially between providers. A good source for general costs is the website of Gathered Here.

Light offers a simple and affordable cremation option without compromising on the level of service. The average cost for a simple and direct cremation arrangement with Light is $1,920*. Visit our website to get a quote.

Which is the best option – Light or funeral home cremation?

Deciding between Light or a traditional funeral home ultimately comes down to personal preference.

If you are conscious of not spending too much on the cremation and ceremony, then a direct cremation, or unattended funeral service, is likely the best option for you. Also, if you’d prefer to wait and decide what memorial would be most fitting for your loved one, then Light provides you all the benefits of a funeral home-led cremation, but without the time pressure to decide on a ceremony.

If you would like a more traditional ceremony at a funeral home or chapel, then using a funeral home to provide the cremation and memorial services is a good option. Be mindful that there are significant service charges applied as part of working with a funeral home, so if budget is a concern, you will have to contact multiple funeral homes in your area to secure the best price.

Learn more about Light Cremations.

We hope this article has provided you with a better understanding of Light cremations. To learn more about our simple cremation arrangements or to get a quote for a Light cremation, click here, or give us a call on 0489 988 664.

*Average price correct as at January 2025. Prices vary depending on location, please contact Light Cremations for a quote for your area on 0489 988 664, or click this link.