Planning a Direct Cremation Service in West Allis, WI

We offer simple, affordable cremation so you don't have to worry about all the expensive, complicated arrangements of funeral care. In this time of grief, we make it easier for you and your loved ones through the support of our friendly staff. We specialize and only offer simple cremation so we avoid non-essential services that traditional funeral homes offer. That means your money will not be spent on large chapels or expensive vehicles. This helps us in keeping our prices low without making any compromises.

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Arrangements for Direct Disposition

A professional crematory is capable of handling all of the peripheral details involved with cremation, including completion of the legal certificate of death. They are also qualified and licensed to transport the remains of the deceased from the place of death to their on-site crematory. When you contact them for support, they will inform you of their process and provide their general price list for direct cremation service.

When you work directly with a professional crematory, you can choose to bypass the services of a funeral home entirely. But this is not required. If you prefer, all arrangements can be coordinated through a funeral home. This method of care will likely incur additional costs but is an alternative solution if the oversight of a funeral director is important to you.

Costs of Direct Cremation in West Allis, WI

Because traditional funeral services are not carried out with a direct cremation, the cost is minimal. There is no requirement to embalm the body, or any need to purchase a casket. The added cost of a funeral home is avoided entirely, as is any cost to rent a funeral chapel and pay for supporting amenities such as flowers and décor, hearse rental, refreshments, etc.

If your family would like to inter cremated remains in a columbarium niche, or bury them in a cemetery plot, you need to consider the additional cost of doing so. Headstone and grave markers, installation, care in perpetuity, and cemetery fees to open and close the grave plot are a few of the unavoidable costs involved in laying a loved one to rest in these places.

Choice of Services

Many families and individuals choose to have a direct cremation, but also wish to hold a formal memorial service at a future date. You can also choose to hold a tribute service before cremation. In this case, this is not a direct cremation; rather, it is a traditional cremation. The body of the fallen is not present at a memorial service.

If you wish the remains to be present, you can choose to do so, but this is considered to be a funeral service and requires embalming. After services, the deceased will be transported to the crematory for disposition. In all cases, after the body has been cremated the ash remains are processed and returned to the family or as directed.

Why Choose Direct Cremation?

People often think carefully about how they would like their death care to be handled. Some prefer casket burial, others wish to be buried at sea, and others want cremation. The choice is personal to every individual and their family. The primary reasons that people choose direct cremation in West Allis, WI generally fall under four reasons:

It costs less, leaving more money for living survivors
It doesn’t require a full burial plot, saving land space
It is more earth-friendly, causing less environmental damage
It offers portability for modern families in a mobile society

Preplanning for Cremation

Your final arrangements can be planned well in advance of death, even decades. Pre-needs is advantageous because it allows you to lock in cremation service prices at today’s prices. In this way, you avoid inflation and demand cost increases. Most importantly, by pre-arranging for the inevitable, you eliminate the burden of planning and paying for your services which would otherwise fall to your family. Your precise end of life wishes will be documented, and your plan in place, bringing you and your family peace of mind.

Main Steps of a Direct Cremation: What to Expect

When a direct cremation is selected as the preferred means of dispositioning a loved one who has died, there is a general process of steps that occur. It is by no means absolute, but is typical of simple cremation services. The steps are as follows:

Body is removed from the place of death and transported to crematory
Cremation permits and approvals are processed during a brief wait period
Deceased is placed in the cremation oven, flame and heat are applied
Cremated remains are cooled and processed, then returned to the family
The family lays their loved one’s ash remains to rest in preferred manner

Service with Integrity

Cremation Society of Milwaukee is a premier provider of direct cremation services in West Allis, WI, and the surrounding community. When you work with us, the needs of your family come first. Contact our professional care team for individual support and information about how we can serve you. Our facility is located at 2729 S. 108th Street, West Allis, WI 53227. Call today at (414) 384-2424.

Cremation FAQs

Is Embalming Required for Direct Cremation?

No, embalming isn't required for direct cremation because the process happens soon after death and doesn't involve a viewing or formal service. Since there's no public display or long-distance transport, preserving the body is unnecessary. Direct cremation keeps things simple by skipping embalming, caskets, and other traditional elements. It's a straightforward, dignified choice for those seeking a more minimal approach.

What Documents are Needed to Arrange a Direct Cremation?

You'll need a few important documents to arrange a direct cremation, starting with a death certificate and a cremation authorization form. The death certificate officially confirms the passing and is typically obtained from the funeral home or medical professional. At the same time, the cremation authorization form, usually signed by the next of kin, permits the cremation to proceed. You may also need to provide the deceased's ID for verification, complete the SSA-721 form for Social Security, and obtain any necessary local permits. Having several copies of the death certificate is suitable for handling legal and estate matters later on.

Can Personal Items Be Included During Direct Cremation?

Indeed, you can include personal items in a direct cremation, but there are some restrictions. Soft items like photos, letters, flowers, special clothing, and particular jewelry pieces are usually allowed. However, things like pacemakers, glass, batteries, rubber, or anything flammable or non-combustible should be avoided. In some cases, small mementos can be placed with the cremated remains afterward. Check out our cremation FAQs page for more answers.