Whether you are planning your own funeral or a funeral for a loved one, researching the price of funeral services is essential. Funerals can easily cost over $7,000, and many families simply don't have the budget to afford such an expense. Funerals with cremations instead of traditional burials, however, cost as little as $2000. Why is there such a large price discrepancy? The price breakdown of a traditional burial includes a lot of extras that aren't necessary for a simple cremation. Here are a few of the differences between traditional burials and cremations.

No Casket

Although some people do choose to get cremated in a casket, many cremations are done in a simple, low-cost cardboard container. Some cardboard cremation containers cost as little as $135. On the other hand, caskets cost anywhere from around $2,000 to $10,000. Many people can't justify spending so much money on something that will quickly be burned to ashes. For a traditional burial service, on the other hand, buying either a casket or a coffin is essential. Just removing this one expense can dramatically reduce the cost of a funeral service.

No Burial Plot

Another expense associated with a traditional burial is the burial plot. Typically, plots in the United States are purchased. This means your burial plot will always be yours. This does not mean, however, that the land will be yours. It still belongs to the cemetery, but it is yours to use specifically for your burial. Burial plots cost between $1,000 and $4,000, not including grave markers, which cost between $1,000 and $5,000. Cremated remains can be buried, but they are typically kept with their loved ones or scattered, instead. Having your remains stored safely at home could save your family thousands of dollars.

No Extra Services

The least expensive way to inter remains is typically called a direct cremation. During a direct cremation, the body is cremated without a funeral service hosted by a funeral home. These cremations skip every unnecessary funeral service, so the family of the deceased will typically bear more of the burden associated with organizing and hosting a memorial service. However, the family won't bear the financial burden of a traditional funeral and burial. The expenses skipped with a direct cremation include embalming, facility usage, body preparation, memorial packages, and more. 

To learn more about cremations and other funeral services, contact a funeral home or crematorium, such as Morris Nilsen Funeral Chapel, in your area.