Direct Cremation vs. Traditional Cremation: Understanding the Differences

When determining how to handle the remains of a loved one you are generally left with two options, burial or cremation. While it may seem like a simple binary choice there are actually multiple styles of cremation that you can choose from. In today’s blog we will be looking at the differences between Traditional Cremation services and Direct Cremation services so you can determine which is best for your needs.

What is Traditional Cremation?

The main thing to know about traditional cremation services is that they involve the combination of the cremation with many of the facets of a traditional funeral service. Traditional Cremation usually involves the transportation of the deceased to a funeral home where a funeral service is held with the body displayed in a traditional manner so that loved ones can pay their respects. The deceased is then transported to a crematorium (if there isn’t one on site) where the deceased is cremated with their remains then being returned to the family. As there is a traditional funeral component to the service it is often more expensive as there are more requirements than in a direct cremation, requirements like more labor from funeral directors and staff as well as the need for embalming, dressing and casketing

What is Direct Cremation?

Direct Cremation is a stripped-down end-of-life service that focuses on affordability and expediency rather than ceremony. With a direct cremation the deceased is transported from the place of death to the sheltering facility, they are then cremated within 48 hours, and the remains are then returned to the family. There are no viewings or funeral services included with direct cremation services in order to keep costs down. If you desire services like viewings, embalming, dressing or casketing these are often available as optional additions to the direct cremation service, so you are able to customize the direct cremation to fit your needs.

We hope we have been able to show you the differences between traditional cremation and direct cremation. If you have any questions about cremation services, please feel free to contact us.

Care and Comfort Cremations is located in Vancouver and serves not only Vancouver, but Richmond, Burnaby, and the North Shore. We offer cremations at a fraction of the cost of a traditional funeral home while providing personal service with reverence and respect. If you have any questions about this blog article, please feel free to call us at (604) 260-2156.