Are you interested in pre-planning cremation services in North Riverdale, NY for yourself? Or do you need to plan cremation services for a loved one who passed away recently? Either way, you should know that you’ll have the option to choose between either a traditional cremation or a direct cremation. Before you make a final decision, you should know the differences between the two so that you’re able to pick the right one. Check out what sets traditional cremations and direct creations apart below. 

What is a traditional cremation? 

During a traditional cremation, a person’s body will be shipped from wherever it is that they died to a funeral home. It will then be kept at the funeral home for a few days while the body is prepared for a viewing as well as funeral service or memorial service. The body will typically be embalmed and dressed for the occasion before it eventually makes its way to a crematory for the actual cremation. It will be cremated at the crematory and the cremated remains from the cremation will then be handed over to the person’s family. This all plays out over the course of several days in most cases. 

What is a direct cremation? 

During a direct cremation, a person’s body will be shipped straight from where it is that they died to a crematory. There won’t be any preparations made to the body, outside of removing medical devices and jewelry from it. It will then be put through the cremation process without any pomp and circumstance as quickly as possible. All of this plays out in just a couple of days since there aren’t many bells and whistles that come along with a direct cremation. 

Which type of cremation is best for you or your loved one? 

When trying to decide between a traditional cremation and a direct cremation, you should consider how long you want to have to wait for a cremation to take place. You should also consider the budget that you have to plan a cremation, as a direct cremation is usually a lot more affordable than a traditional cremation since there aren’t any preparations made to a person’s body during it. As you’ve seen here, traditional and direct cremations are quite different, which is why it’s so important to weigh the pros and cons of both before picking one over the other. 

Can all funeral homes provide traditional and direct cremation services? 

The good news for those interested in choosing cremation themselves or planning a cremation for someone else is that most North Riverdale, NY funeral homes are able to offer both traditional and direct cremation services. They can break down both options for you further and help you decide which is the better fit for you and your family. 

If you’re in the process of planning a North Riverdale, NY cremation for yourself or your loved one, Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, Inc. can speak with you about traditional cremation vs. direct cremation. Give us a call to learn more about each of these two options.