What Is Direct Cremation

A direct cremation, also referred to as a simple cremation or basic cremation, is when a body is cremated, and the cremains are returned to the family in some type of urn (temporary or permanent). There are no services involved and can be referred to as the minimal care services offered by a cremation provider. Direct cremation is the least cost service a cremation provider offers, which can have the least economic impact on a family’s budget. After choosing a cremation provider, they will need the following information:

• Full name of the deceased
• Location where death occurred, is deceased still at this location
• Date and time of death
• The name of next of kin, their relationship to the deceased and their contact information
• The name and phone number of the doctor who will be certifying the death certificate.
• The cremation provider will need you to contact the place of death and let them know the cremation provider name and that they will be taking your loved into their care.
• The cremation provider will schedule an appointment with you at their location, your home or direct you to their online cremation arrangement system, for you to complete arrangements online.

You will need to make sure you have the following information:

• Deceased full legal name
• Home address
• Deceased Social Security number
• Date of birth
• Place of birth (city/town, State or Foreign Country)
• Date of death
• Place of death (city/town, County)
• Legal marital status
• Spouses full name
• Father’s name
• Mother’s maiden name
• Veteran’s discharge papers (DD-214)
• Highest level of education completed at the time of death
• Decedents occupation (type of work done during most of working life)
• A recent photograph
• Photograph for personalization of memorial items