What is "direct cremation"?

Direct cremation refers to the process of cremating a deceased individual without conducting a formal viewing or funeral service beforehand. This approach is often chosen for its simplicity, lower cost, and expedience. In a direct cremation, the body is prepared for cremation and then cremated shortly thereafter, without the traditional rituals or ceremonies that typically accompany other types of funerals.

This option is particularly appealing for families who may wish to postpone a memorial service for later or opt for a more private and less costly approach to handling the arrangements. The absence of a service prior to the cremation allows families to focus solely on the cremation process itself, which can lead to significant savings on costs associated with caskets, facilities, and services commonly part of traditional funerals.

Conversely, other choices involve varying forms of services or options that incorporate elements of traditional funeral practices, which do not align with the direct cremation model.