Direct Cremation FAQ

What Is Direct Cremation?

What is direct cremation?

Direct cremation is the simplest form of cremation. The deceased is transferred from the place of death directly to the crematory without prior embalming, a viewing, or a funeral service. After the cremation is complete, the family receives the cremated remains and may hold a memorial gathering on their own schedule, in any location they choose.

How is direct cremation different from a traditional funeral?

A traditional funeral typically involves embalming, a formal viewing or visitation, a service with the body present, and burial in a cemetery. Direct cremation removes those elements and the costs that come with them. There is no casket purchase, no embalming fee, and no obligation to schedule a service before cremation takes place.

What is the difference between direct cremation and simple cremation?

There is no practical difference. "Direct cremation," "simple cremation," and "immediate cremation" all describe the same service: the deceased is cremated without prior embalming, a viewing, or a formal service with the body present. Simple Cremation Solutions uses the term "simple cremation" to reflect their commitment to making the process as clear and manageable as possible for families.

Is direct cremation considered a respectful choice?

Yes. Direct cremation is a fully legal and widely chosen form of disposition selected by millions of families each year. The absence of a formal service before cremation does not prevent a family from honoring their loved one. Memorial gatherings, celebrations of life, and private services can all be held after the cremated remains are returned.

Can we still hold a memorial service after choosing direct cremation?

Yes. A memorial service can be held at any time after the cremated remains are returned to the family. Services can take place in a church, community space, private home, or outdoor setting. Families have the flexibility to plan the gathering at their own pace, without the time constraints of a pre-cremation viewing schedule.

About Simple Cremation Solutions

What is Simple Cremation Solutions?

Simple Cremation Solutions is a family-owned and operated cremation provider serving the greater Memphis, TN area. The company provides affordable, compassionate simple cremation services with cremation starting at $985. The entire arrangement process is designed to be completed online from home, with no requirement to visit a funeral home in person.

Is Simple Cremation Solutions locally owned and operated?

Yes. Simple Cremation Solutions is locally owned and family operated, not a national corporate chain. The company is committed to providing high-quality, compassionate cremation services to Mid-South families at an affordable and honest price.

What areas does Simple Cremation Solutions serve?

Simple Cremation Solutions serves the greater Memphis, TN area including Bolivar, Cordova, Collierville, Bartlett, Arlington, East Memphis, Lakeland, Germantown, Brownsville, and Jackson, Tennessee. The company also serves the Mississippi communities of Holly Springs, Olive Branch, and Southaven.

Is Simple Cremation Solutions available 24 hours a day?

Yes. Simple Cremation Solutions is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Families can call (901) 813-8328 at any hour for immediate assistance.

Who performs the cremation at Simple Cremation Solutions?

Only certified professionals who hold licenses as funeral directors are authorized to operate Simple Cremation Solutions' cremation equipment. The company maintains stringent operating policies and procedures throughout every stage of the process to ensure the highest standards of accuracy and care.

Pricing and Costs

What does direct cremation cost at Simple Cremation Solutions?

Cremation at Simple Cremation Solutions starts at $985. This is the complete direct cremation price, itemized as three components: basic services of the funeral director and staff, transportation to the crematory, and the crematory fee. Simple Cremation Solutions is committed to transparent pricing with no hidden fees.

Why is direct cremation more affordable than a traditional funeral?

Direct cremation eliminates several of the services and goods that drive up the cost of a traditional funeral: embalming, a formal funeral service, a casket, a cemetery plot, an outer burial container, and the associated staff time for a full-service arrangement. By focusing on the cremation itself, providers can offer significantly lower total costs to families.

What additional fees might apply beyond the $985 starting price?

The $985 starting price covers the core direct cremation service as itemized above. Families who choose to purchase an urn or other merchandise would incur additional costs for those items. Simple Cremation Solutions offers a selection of urns, and families can review all available options before beginning arrangements.

The Arrangement Process

How do I start arrangements with Simple Cremation Solutions?

Arrangements begin online. Families start by completing the intake form on the Simple Cremation Solutions website and submitting payment. Upon completion, the team promptly arranges to transfer the deceased from their place of death into Simple Cremation Solutions' care.

Can I complete all arrangements from home?

Yes. Simple Cremation Solutions has designed the entire arrangement process to be completed online from home, providing convenience and privacy during a difficult time. All paperwork, authorizations, and legal documentation are handled electronically. There is no requirement to visit a funeral home in person at any stage.

What information will I need to provide?

After completing the initial form and payment, the legal next of kin will receive an email to complete three documents electronically: the legal cremation authorization form, an identity form, and the vital statistics information required for the death certificate. These are signed electronically before the cremation permit process can begin.

How long does it take to receive cremated remains after arrangements begin?

Obtaining the cremation permit typically takes 8 to 12 business days after paperwork is submitted. Timing also depends on the medical examiner in the county where death occurred. Once the permit is secured and the cremation is complete, Simple Cremation Solutions notifies the family by email and coordinates the return of the cremated remains.

How are cremated remains returned to the family?

After the cremation is complete, Simple Cremation Solutions notifies the family by email. Arrangements are then made to return the cremated remains into the family's care. Families will be contacted to coordinate the return.

Will Simple Cremation Solutions notify the Social Security Administration?

Yes. Notifying the Social Security Administration is included in Simple Cremation Solutions' standard process.

How do I obtain the official death certificate?

Simple Cremation Solutions handles registration of the death certificate in the county where death occurred. Once the death certificate is signed by the appropriate physician, the family is notified by email. Certified copies can then be obtained at any health department in the state where death occurred. Some states also allow online ordering of certified copies.

How many certified copies of the death certificate will I need?

The number of certified copies a family needs depends on their specific circumstances. Financial institutions, insurance companies, government agencies, and courts typically each require an original certified copy. Most families order between eight and twelve copies. An attorney or estate advisor can provide more specific guidance based on the assets involved.

The Cremation Process

What happens during the cremation process?

Cremation subjects the deceased to combustion, vaporization, and oxidation at high temperatures, reducing the body to mineral fragments. The process takes place in a cremation chamber at 1,650 to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. After cremation, bone fragments are separated from any non-consumed metal items, processed to a consistent size, and returned to the family in a selected container or urn.

How long does the actual cremation take?

The duration varies depending on the weight of the individual. For an average-sized adult, the cremation process typically lasts two to three hours within a standard operating temperature range of 1,650 to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

What happens after the cremation is complete?

All bone fragments and any non-consumed metal items are collected in a stainless steel cooling pan. A separation process then removes metal fragments from clothing, joint implants, or dental work using visual inspection and a strong magnet. The remaining bone fragments are processed to a consistent size. The family selects a container or urn to receive the processed cremated remains.

Can two cremations be performed at the same time?

No. Performing two cremations simultaneously is illegal. Each cremation is conducted individually. This requirement applies to all licensed cremation providers.

How can I be certain I receive my loved one's correct remains?

Simple Cremation Solutions maintains a stringent set of operating policies and procedures to positively identify the deceased throughout every stage of the process. Only licensed funeral directors are authorized to operate the cremation equipment. These protocols are designed to minimize any possibility of human error and ensure that the correct remains are returned to each family.

The Cremated Remains

What do cremated remains look like?

Cremated remains are often compared to coarse sand. They typically exhibit a whitish to light grey coloration. Appearance can vary based on factors including the individual's size, bone density, and other physiological characteristics.

How heavy are cremated remains?

The cremated remains of an average-sized adult typically weigh between four and eight pounds. This range varies based on the individual's size and bone density.

Are all cremated remains returned to the family?

With the exception of minute and microscopic particles that are inherently difficult to recover from the cremation chamber and processing equipment, Simple Cremation Solutions strives to return all recoverable cremated remains. The company's commitment is to make every possible effort to ensure 100% of the retrievable cremains are respectfully and fully returned to the family.

In what container are cremated remains returned?

Following cremation, the remains are placed in a plastic bag for secure handling. They are then housed in a basic container or transferred into the urn of the family's preference. Simple Cremation Solutions offers a selection of urns to choose from. If no urn is selected, the cremated remains are returned in a temporary cardboard container.

Do I need to purchase an urn?

No. The law does not require the use of an urn. If no urn is chosen, the cremated remains will be returned in a temporary cardboard container. An urn may be worth considering if a memorial service is planned or if the intention is to inter the remains in a cemetery or columbarium.

Is a casket required for cremation?

No. A casket is not required for cremation. State law typically requires a rigid container that is cremated along with the body, but that does not need to be a traditional casket. Families may choose from the container options available through Simple Cremation Solutions based on their preferences.

What are the options for cremated remains?

Families may choose to bury cremated remains in a cemetery lot or designated cremation garden, place them in a columbarium, keep them at home, or scatter them on private property with the approval of the landowner. The choice can reflect personal preferences, cultural traditions, or religious beliefs.

Can cremated remains be scattered in Tennessee?

Cremated remains may be scattered on private property with the landowner's approval. Tennessee does not broadly restrict the private scattering of cremains. Families should review local ordinances and federal regulations before scattering on public land or in navigable waterways, as Environmental Protection Agency rules may apply to certain bodies of water.

Legal and Regulatory Questions

Is embalming required before cremation?

No. Embalming is not required prior to cremation. It is against the law for a funeral home to tell a family otherwise. The Federal Trade Commission's Funeral Rule specifically prohibits funeral providers from misrepresenting legal embalming requirements.

What laws govern cremation in Tennessee?

Cremation regulations vary from state to state. In Tennessee, Simple Cremation Solutions adheres to the regulations established by the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers. County medical examiners also play a role in issuing cremation permits, which is part of why the permit process can take 8 to 12 business days.

What is the FTC Funeral Rule and how does it protect families?

The FTC Funeral Rule is a federal regulation requiring funeral providers to give families itemized price information before they agree to any services or goods. Providers must disclose prices by telephone upon request and must furnish a written General Price List to anyone who inquires in person. The rule also prohibits funeral homes from requiring package purchases when individual services are requested.

Are cremated remains safe to handle?

Yes. Cremated remains pose no health risk. They consist of mineral fragments similar in composition to dry bone. Families may handle, keep, scatter, or inter cremated remains without any public health concerns.

What are the legal options for cremated remains in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, cremated remains may generally be buried in a cemetery, placed in a columbarium, kept at home, or scattered on private property with the landowner's consent. Scattering in public spaces or bodies of water may be subject to local ordinances or federal regulations. Families with questions about specific situations should contact Simple Cremation Solutions at (901) 813-8328.

Can cremated remains be transported on an airplane?

Yes. The Transportation Security Administration allows cremated remains in both carry-on and checked baggage. The TSA requires that containers pass X-ray screening. Families traveling internationally should verify the import requirements of the destination country, as regulations vary. Individual airlines may have additional policies.

Pre-Planning Direct Cremation

Can I pre-plan cremation with Simple Cremation Solutions?

Simple Cremation Solutions allows families to begin the arrangement process online at any time. Individuals interested in pre-planning their own cremation should contact Simple Cremation Solutions directly at (901) 813-8328 to discuss available options and current pricing.

Why do families choose to pre-plan cremation?

Pre-planning ensures that a person's wishes are documented before they are needed. It relieves family members of urgent decision-making at an emotionally difficult time and allows the individual to review all service and pricing options at their own pace, without the pressure of an immediate need.

Will pre-planning cremation lock in the current price?

Pre-need pricing terms depend on the provider and the structure of the agreement. Families should contact Simple Cremation Solutions at (901) 813-8328 for current information on pre-planning options and any available price protections.