Funeral homes should respond to a cremation request within 24 hours. There will be a death certification prepared, then filing and obtaining the death certification. The funeral home may also notify social security by form to local office, and obtain permission from the medical examiner to cremate. In addition, there will be a fee to remove the body from the place of death, such as a hospital or home. Usually these need to be within a 55 mile radius of the funeral home. There may be a fee charged per mile out of that radius. Container or urn will also be included. You can upgrade or downgrade based on the options give to you by the funeral home. There will be a refrigeration period, which is a 48 hour waiting period before being cremated that is required by law in most states, and there will also be a cremation fee. Funeral homes can also ship ashes if necessary.
Cremation can be an affordable alternative to a traditional burial. There are those who prefer to be cremated in order for their ashes to spread somewhere. As you go through the cremation process, you'll likely wonder about different fees, and it's important to talk about these with your funeral director.