A cremation funeral allows families to hold traditional ceremonies, viewings, or memorial gatherings while selecting cremation as the final end-of-life care option.

More than 60% of American families now choose cremation, drawn by its flexibility, affordability, and the freedom to plan services on their own timeline.

Whether you're planning immediately after a passing or thinking ahead, this guide walks you through everything you need to know about cremation funerals.

Not sure whether a cremation at After is the right path? Our team is here to guide you through your options with transparency, care, and zero pressure. You can call us 24/7 at 1-844-717-5170.

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What Is a Cremation Funeral?

A cremation funeral is any memorial service combined with cremation as the method of final disposition. The service can happen before cremation (with the person present in a casket) or after cremation (with the remains present in an urn, or with no remains present at all).

Unlike traditional burial, cremation funerals offer timing flexibility. You don’t need to rush to arrange services within days of the passing. Families can hold a service immediately, wait weeks for distant relatives to travel, or even plan multiple gatherings in different locations.

The key difference: Cremation funerals separate the ceremony from the final cremation, giving you control over when, where, and how you gather to remember your loved one.

Types of Cremation Funeral Services

One of cremation's biggest advantages is flexibility. You're not locked into a single ceremony format or rushed timeline. Here are the most common ways families honor their loved ones when choosing cremation.

Traditional Funeral Service With Cremation

This option mirrors a conventional funeral but ends with cremation instead of burial. The service includes a viewing or visitation, a formal ceremony with the person present in a casket, and then cremation afterward.

Many families rent a ceremonial casket for the service, then use a simple cremation container for the actual cremation process.

Traditional services typically include eulogies, religious readings, music, and time for family and friends to pay respects. After the ceremony, the cremation takes place privately, and families receive the remains some day slater.

Memorial Service

Memorial services happen after cremation takes place. The remains may be present in an urn, displayed on a memorial table, or absent entirely. This format removes time pressure and allows families to plan thoughtfully.

Common elements include:

• Photo displays and memory boards
• Shared stories from family and friends
• Music that held meaning for the deceased
• A memory table with personal items
• Refreshments or a reception afterward

Celebration of Life

A celebration of life focuses on honoring the person's unique personality rather than following traditional funeral customs. These gatherings tend to be less formal, more uplifting, and highly personalized.

You might hold a celebration of life at a meaningful location like a favorite park, a beach, the family home, or a community center. The tone is often lighter, with an emphasis on joyful memories, laughter, and stories that capture who the person truly was.

After provides transparent cremation packages starting at $995, allowing families to focus their time and resources on the type of memorial that matters most to them.

The Cremation Process: What Actually Happens

Many families feel uncertain about what cremation actually involves, and that uncertainty can add stress during an already difficult time. Here’s an overview of what you can expect from the cremation process.

Before Cremation

After a passing, our team transports your loved one to our cremation facility. We care for them in a climate-controlled environment while we finalize paperwork and arrange services with your family.

Required documentation includes a death certificate signed by the attending physician, cremation authorization forms signed by the legal next-of-kin, and any necessary permits your state requires.

Your care team handles most of this paperwork, walking you through each signature and requirement.

During Cremation

The cremation chamber (called a cremator or retort) reaches temperatures between 1,400 and 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. Flame and heat gently reduce the individual to bone fragments over approximately 2-3 hours, depending on their size.

Throughout the process, a metal identification disc remains with the individual one, ensuring proper identification at every step. Facilities maintain strict chain-of-custody protocols, documenting each movement from arrival through the return of remains.

Following Cremation

Staff cool the bone fragments, then process them into fine particles (typically 1/8 inch or smaller). We place the remains in a temporary container or the urn you've selected.

The team removes any metal fragments from medical implants or surgical hardware and typically recycles them. Most families receive the remains within a few business days after cremation.

Do You Need a Casket for Cremation?

You do not need need an expensive casket for cremation. Cremation requires a container that fully encloses the decedent, prevents leakage, and can withstand the cremation process.

Your options include:

• Simple cardboard containers (our cremation package includes this)
• Wooden cremation caskets
• Rental caskets for viewing services
• Eco-friendly options made from bamboo, willow, or other sustainable materials

Can You Have a Viewing Before Cremation?

Yes, you can have a viewing or visitation before cremation. This typically requires some preparation of the individual, which may include basic cleaning and dressing, setting features, or in some cases, embalming (though embalming is never essential for cremation).

Viewings can be private (immediate family only) or open to all friends and family. Some families hold a formal visitation at a funeral home, while others prefer a simple, private viewing before saying their final goodbyes.

Important note: After currently offers viewing services only in Arizona, but we're working to expand our service options. If a viewing is important to you, we can refer you to local providers who can accommodate this request before cremation.

What Can You Do With the Remains?

You can keep cremation remains in special locations or scatter them. Unlike burial, which typically means one permanent location, cremation gives you options. 

The choice you make can provide comfort for years to come.

Keep Them at Home

Many families keep their loved one's remains in an urn at home, either permanently or until they decide on a final resting place. You can choose from plenty of urn styles: traditional, modern, decorative, or simple to match your preferences.

Scatter in a Meaningful Location

Scattering allows you to return your loved one to a place they cherished. Popular locations include beaches, mountains, gardens, or family property. Always obtain permission from the landowner before scattering on private property.

For public lands, rules vary. National parks generally prohibit scattering, while national forests often allow it away from trails and water sources. Check regulations before making plans.

Burial or Interment

You can bury the urn in a cemetery plot, family property, or a designated cremation garden. Some families choose a columbarium, which is an above-ground structure with individual niches that hold urns. 

These permanent memorials provide a place for future generations to visit and remember.

Divide Among Family Members

Cremation allows you to divide the remains into multiple keepsake urns or jewelry pieces, giving several family members a tangible connection to their loved one. This option works particularly well for families spread across different states or countries.

Create Lasting Memorials

Modern options include incorporating remains into glass art, pressing them into vinyl records, mixing them into tattoo ink, or even sending a small portion to space. These creative memorials honor your loved one in deeply personal ways.

Cremation Funeral Costs: What to Expect

Direct cremation costs significantly less than traditional burial. 

After's base cremation package starts at $995 and includes transportation (within 30 miles), permits and paperwork, a dedicated care specialist, refrigeration, a basic cremation container, and an online obituary listing.

Additional services increase the cost:

• Death certificates 
• Upgraded urns 
• Memorial service venue rental
• Clergy or celebrant fees 
• Flowers and decorations
• Reception or gathering space

Virtual and Hybrid Cremation Services

Technology now allows distant family and friends to participate in services through live streaming. Virtual attendees can watch the ceremony in real time, submit messages or memories to read, and be a part of the moment despite the distance.

Hybrid services combine in-person and virtual elements, ensuring everyone can participate regardless of location, health concerns, or travel limitations. This approach has become particularly valuable for families spread across different states or countries.

Why Families Choose After for Cremation Services

After provides simple, affordable cremation with transparent pricing, no hidden fees, no pressure, no confusion. We handle everything required for a dignified cremation, from transportation and paperwork to climate-controlled care and return of remains.

Our base cremation package starts at $995, and we offer flexible payment options through LilyPay with 3, 6, 9, or 12-month plans for a flat fee. LilyPay also provides crowdfunding through Community Gardens, making it easier to gather support from friends and family during difficult times.

Ready to learn more about cremation funeral options at After? We're available 24/7 to help you understand your choices with transparency, care, and zero pressure. Call our team at 1-844-717-5170 or explore our cremation service locations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Have a Funeral and Cremation?

Yes, you can have a traditional funeral service with viewing and ceremony, and then have a cremation afterwards. This option combines the familiarity of conventional funeral customs with cremation as the final disposition method.

What Happens to Medical Devices and Implants?

Before cremation, what happens is that the staff must remove medical devices and other battery-operated implants. 

It’s a safety precaution because they can explode in high heat. They also remove hip replacements, surgical pins, and other metal implants from the remains after cremation.

Can You Witness the Cremation?

Some cremation facilities allow families to witness the cremation process, though not all providers offer this option. If witnessing is important to you, ask your cremation provider whether their facility can accommodate this request.