Complete Cremation Planning Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Planning for the end of life isn’t easy. But here’s what we know: families who plan ahead spend  far less and experience significantly less stress during an already difficult time.

Today, 60% of Americans choose cremation—a number that’s doubled in the past two decades. Why? Cremation offers flexibility, affordability, and increasingly, environmental benefits that align with personal values. Yet despite its popularity, most people don’t understand their options or the true costs involved.

Whether you’re planning for yourself or helping a loved one, you’ll find everything you need  about cremation planning here: transparent pricing breakdowns, clear explanations of your options, and practical steps to protect your family from unnecessary burden. 

Ready to take control? Everis makes it simple to plan ahead, offering everything you need and nothing you don’t: cremation, paperwork, obituary, nature memorial, resting place in nature, estate settlement assistant and ongoing grief support for loved ones for one transparent, all inclusive price of $4,150. Find out more

Quick navigation: Cremation planning guide

1. Why make arrangements in advance
2. Understanding cremation types
3. Direct cremation vs. full-service cremation
4. Planning your memorial ceremony
5. Deciding what to do with ashes
6. Having end-of-life conversations with family
7. Choosing the right provider
8. Understanding cremation costs
9. Pre-planning checklist
10. Why families choose Everis

1. Why make arrangements in advance

Every day, families walk into funeral homes during the hardest moments of their lives. Grieving. Overwhelmed. Forced to make expensive decisions while emotionally exhausted. There’s a better way: making arrangements in advance.

Your family unburdened

• “What would they have wanted?”
• “How much will this cost?”
• “Are we doing this right?”

 
Without pre-planning, families face impossible questions at the worst possible time:

You can spare them all of it. Here’s what your family won’t have to do if you plan ahead:

• Guess what you would have wanted
• Argue with siblings about the “right” choice
• Navigate aggressive sales tactics while grieving
• Scramble to cover unexpected costs
• Wonder if they’re honoring your wishes

Instead, they can focus on what matters: supporting each other, sharing memories, and begin healing.

Your wishes honored

When you plan ahead, everything is in place before death occurs. You decide:

• How you want to be remembered
• Where your memorial takes place
• Whether to prioritize simplicity or ceremony
• If environmental impact matters (it does to 60% of Americans now, according to the NFDA)
• How to align your farewell with your values

You also protect your choices. Without written plans, a well-meaning family might default to traditions that never felt right to you. Your children might not know you’d prefer water cremation. Your spouse might keep your ashes on the mantle and wonder what to do with them, instead of returning them to the earth.

Your finances protected

Cremation costs are rising annually. The median price for a full-service cremation costs $6,250 today and will likely reach at least $8,500 in ten years. By planning now, you lock in today’s prices—permanently.

But the real savings come from avoiding crisis pricing. Families making arrangements after a death pay premium rates for everything:

• Expedited services add 20-30% to standard pricing
• Limited time to compare providers costs thousands of dollars
• Emotional decisions lead to unnecessary add-ons
• Some providers may push packages with services you don’t need or want

Pre-planning changes everything. You can compare providers at your own pace, ask important  questions about pricing, and choose only what aligns with your values and budget. Many providers offer payment plans, turning a large expense into manageable monthly amounts.

Plan ahead with Everis: While traditional full-service cremation averages $6,250, Everis provides complete cremation for $4,150—and includes what others charge extra for: a permanent resting place in a protected memorial forest, a Nature Memorial ceremony, an interactive online obituary, estate settlement assistance to help your family navigate paperwork, and ongoing grief support for your loved ones. No hidden fees. No surprise charges. Just transparent, complete care. 

2. Understanding cremation types  

Not all cremation is the same. Many are surprised to learn that there are three cremation methods available today. Understanding your options helps you choose the method that aligns with your values and budget.

Flame cremation

Traditional cremation uses high heat (1,400-2,000°F) to reduce the body to bone fragments over 1-3 hours. These fragments are processed into ash and returned to families. The environmental case is straightforward:

• Eliminates embalming chemicals that contaminate soil and groundwater
• Requires no permanent land use or cemetery infrastructure
• Minimal material footprint—no caskets, vaults, or burial plots

Direct flame cremation typically costs $1,500-$3,000.

Water cremation (aquamation alkaline hydrolysis)

This cremation process uses water and alkaline solution to accelerate natural decomposition, producing ash similar to flame cremation. The environmental advantages are substantial:

• Uses 90% less energy than flame cremation
• Zero air pollution or harmful emissions
• Safely neutralizes medications and chemotherapy drugs in the body
• Produces no toxic waste or dangerous byproducts

Direct water cremation averages $3,750.

Soil cremation (natural organic reduction or NOR)

The newest cremation option transforms the body into nutrient-rich soil over approximately 30 days. The body is placed in a vessel with organic materials like wood chips and straw, where microbes do the work naturally. Environmental impact:

• Under 20kg of CO2 emissions (vs. 500kg+ for traditional burial)
• Creates usable, life-supporting soil
• Powered by natural processes, not energy-intensive equipment
• Zero embalming chemicals or preservatives

Direct natural organic reduction costs around $5,000.

Carbon-neutral cremation 

While cremation has a smaller environmental footprint than traditional burial, the process still produces emissions—from transportation, facility energy use, and the cremation itself. Carbon-neutral cremation addresses this by offsetting 100% of the carbon emissions through verified environmental projects.

Providers like Everis calculate the total carbon footprint of each cremation and invest in verified offset projects that remove an equal amount plus a safety buffer  of CO₂ from the atmosphere. These projects include reforestation, renewable energy development, and methane capture from landfills—ensuring every cremation’s environmental impact is fully balanced.

Need help deciding? Everis provides flame, water, and soil cremation options with 24/7 support to match your choice to your values. Read our Blog: Cremation Options Explained or Talk to Guide today for personalized support. Talk to a Guide

3. Direct cremation vs. full-service cremation

Understanding the differences helps you choose the right level of service for your family’s needs, timeline, and budget.

Direct cremation

The most straightforward and affordable option. The body is cremated shortly after death with no prior funeral services or visitation.

What’s included: Basic cremation services, transportation, crematory fees

What’s NOT included: Memorial service, final resting place, death certificates and documentation, estate settlement assistance or grief support

Benefits:

• Eliminates embalming and expensive caskets
• Reduced environmental impact
• Memorial flexibility—plan services weeks or months later when convenient

Drawbacks:

• Frequent add-on fees and surprise costs
• Requires coordinating multiple providers for various services
• Limited insight to total costs upfront when juggling multiple providers

Average cost: $2,000

Full-service cremation

Combines traditional funeral elements with cremation, offering a structured way to say goodbye.

What’s included: Transportation cremation, and memorial service ( viewing or ceremony)

What’s NOT included: Final resting place, death certificates and documentation, estate settlement assistance or grief support

Benefits:

• Honors cultural or religious traditions that value a viewing 
• Combines funeral customs with cremation
• Structured timeline of an immediate service for those that need it

Drawbacks:

• Challenging to coordinate when family is geographically dispersed
• Requires separate provider for final resting place
• Estate and grief support not included

Average cost: $6,280

Everis complete cremation arrangements 

A prepaid, complete cremation arrangements package with transparent, all-in pricing specifically, so you can feel confident that everything is taken care of—all online, without missing a step.

What’s included: Everything you need, nothing you don’t:

• Respectful transportation into our care
• Paperwork, permits, and death certificates
• Carbon-neutral cremation
• Aquamation & natural organic reduction coming soon.  
• Ashes returned in a beautiful urn
• Interactive online obituary
• Resting place in nature with memorial options
• Estate settlement & grief support

Benefits:

• Complete care on one platform
• Transparent all-inclusive pricing with zero surprise fees
•  Plan on your timeline, not a funeral home’s schedule
• Estate assistance and grief counseling included, not sold separately
• Final resting place in nature secured

Price: $4,150

Did you know? Every cremation service with Everis is carbon neutral, honoring both your loved one and the planet. We balance cremation emissions by supporting projects that capture equal amounts of carbon. Learn more

4. Planning your memorial ceremony

One of the greatest gifts of pre-planning is time—time to thoughtfully design a celebration that truly reflects your life and values, without the pressure of grief or tight deadlines.

Celebration of life options 

When you plan ahead, you can explore:

• Virtual or hybrid ceremonies to include distant loved ones
• Meaningful venues beyond traditional funeral homes
• Personal touches that tell your story

Timeline flexibility 

Pre-planning gives your family breathing room:

• They can choose immediate or delayed services based on what works best
• Consider seasonal timing for outdoor memorials or family travel
• Allow time for everyone to gather, especially if spread across the country

Meaningful personalization 

Planning now means you can specify:

• Music, readings, or video tributes that capture your spirit
• Cultural or religious elements that matter to you
• Ways guests can participate meaningfully in the celebration

By thinking through these details now, you ensure your memorial reflects your wishes—and spare your family from making dozens of difficult decisions during an already overwhelming time.

Resting place in nature: Complete cremation arrangements with Everis includes everything you need including a resting place in a shared Spreading Grove in a protected Memorial Forest and Nature Memorial ceremony for your private farewell.Personalize your memorial with spiritual practices, military honors, readings, music, or any elements that reflect your life. Talk to a Guide today to learn more

5. Deciding what to do with ashes 

One of the most meaningful decisions in pre-planning is choosing where you (or your loved one) will rest. Making this choice now means your family won’t face the pressure of deciding what to do. Or worse, holding onto ashes indefinitely.

Taking time to explore these choices now gives you clarity and family peace of mind.

Traditional options

Ashes can be buried in a standard plot (typically $1,000-$3,000) or placed in a columbarium niche—small compartments designed specifically for urns, usually costing $750-$2,500. Some families choose to keep ashes at home in a decorative urn, though it’s worth considering long-term plans, especially if you move or when making your own end-of-life arrangements.

Scattering options

Scattering offers flexibility and meaningful location choices, but consider the trade-offs: it’s a one-time dispersal with no permanent place for family to visit, and many parks and public lands restrict or prohibit scattering.

Memorials in nature

Both Spreading Groves and Memorial Trees like those offered through Everis, return ashes to the earth within a protected Memorial Forest, allowing your loved one to rejoin the natural cycle of life.

Your exact location is recorded and protected forever—visit anytime and know precisely where your loved one rests. Professional soil mixing ensures ashes nourish the forest ecosystem, while conservation easements guarantee permanent protection. No headstones, no lawn maintenance—just a living memorial that grows naturally.

Everis Memorial Forests: Every Everis plan includes a resting place in a shared Spreading Grove in a protected Memorial Forest. You may also choose a private Memorial Tree that can be shared with people and pets over time. Learn more about Memorial Forests

Dividing ashes

It’s completely acceptable—and increasingly common—to divide ashes among family members or choose multiple memorial options. You might scatter a small amount of ashes in a special place, keep a portion in cremation jewelry, and place the rest in a Memorial Forest.

6. Having end-of-life conversations with family

Pre-planning only works if your family knows your wishes. Waiting until a health crisis forces the conversation adds unnecessary stress and limits everyone’s ability to think clearly.

When to start the conversation

Choose calm, everyday moments rather than emotionally charged situations. Family gatherings, holidays, or milestone birthdays provide natural openings. You might mention an article you read, a friend’s experience, or simply say, “I’ve been thinking about getting my affairs in order and want you to know my wishes.”

What to cover

Be specific about what matters most to you:

• Cremation preference (flame, water, or soil)
• Final resting place and memorial wishes
• Ceremony preferences—religious elements, music, who should speak
• Budget and financial arrangements
• Who should handle arrangements

Tailoring your approach

With aging parents, focus on relieving their burden: “I want to make sure we honor your wishes and don’t have to guess during a difficult time.”

With your own family, frame it as practical planning: “I want you to know exactly what I want so you’re not left making hard decisions.”

With siblings or extended family, emphasize shared responsibility: “Let’s make sure we’re all on the same page about Mom’s wishes.”

Making it easier

Starting imperfectly is better than not starting at all. Listen as much as you speak—these conversations often reveal what matters most to the people you love. Document decisions in writing and share them with everyone involved.

The earlier you have these conversations, the more confident everyone feels. And when the time comes, your family will have the gift of clarity instead of uncertainty.

For tips, read our End-of-Life Conversations Guide and our 16 Thoughtful End-of-Life Questions to Ask Loved Ones

7. Choosing the right provider

When choosing a cremation provider, whether for immediate requirements or advance planning, consider these important questions below. A reliable provider will encourage your inquiries and offer transparent, comprehensive responses without pressuring you into quick decisions.

Service & Availability:

• Do you have availability to help me now?
• What types of cremation do you offer (flame, water, or soil cremation)?
• What memorial service options are available?

Pricing & Transparency:

• What is your total cost, and are there any additional fees?
• Do you provide written estimates with all costs clearly outlined?
• What payment options do you offer (especially important for pre-planning)?

Trust & Credentials:

• How long have you been supporting the Palo Alto community?
• Can you share reviews, references or feedback from other Peninsula families?

Feeling overwhelmed? Talk to an Everis Guide. Our Guides are here to help, not sell. No pressure, no sales tactics. Just caring guidance at every step. Talk to a Guide

8. Understanding cremation costs

Not all cremation providers are upfront about costs. A California-based study by the Funeral Consumers Alliance and Consumer Federation of America found that 25% of funeral homes surveyed actively hide their prices from consumers—and those hiding prices typically charge significantly more than competitors who display pricing openly.

The price range is staggering: direct cremation in California ranges from $525 to over $4,000 for essentially the same service. Without transparent pricing, families often discover the true cost only after they’re emotionally committed to a provider.

Why this matters when pre-planning

Planning ahead gives you the advantage of comparison shopping—something nearly impossible during a crisis. When you research cremation options now, you can:

• Compare actual prices across multiple providers
• Identify hidden fees before they surprise your family
• Lock in costs at today’s rates
• Choose providers based on value, not urgency

Low- and moderate-income families especially benefit from price transparency, as funeral costs can create unexpected financial strain during already difficult times.

More consumers who plan ahead will be able to compare prices at all funeral homes.  Consumers who cannot or fail to plan ahead will be able, in a matter of minutes, to check prices at several funeral homes they are considering.

Curious about cremation costs? For more information read our blog article: Cremation Costs Explained Complete Pricing Guide & Options

9. Pre-planning checklist

Pre-planning cremation involves more than just choosing a provider—it’s about documenting your wishes, organizing essential information, and ensuring your family has everything they need when the time comes.

What to include in your cremation pre-plan:

• Cremation type and provider selection
• Final resting place preferences
• Memorial ceremony details and personalization
• Financial arrangements and payment method
• Essential documents (will, medical directives, beneficiaries)
• Digital account access and passwords
• Key contacts and notification list

Work through this at your own pace. Some decisions can be made quickly; others may require conversations with family or professional guidance. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s clarity for the people you love.

Read and download our complete end-of-life planning checklist for a step-by-step guide to documenting every important detail.

10. Why families choose Everis

Traditional providers charge an average of $6,280 for full-service cremation—and that’s before adding a final resting place, estate settlement assistance, or grief support. Hidden fees and separate providers for different services create confusion and unexpected costs.

Everis changes this. For one transparent price of $4,150, you get everything:

• Complete cremation care
• Respectful transportation
• Carbon-neutral cremation services
• All paperwork handled including permits and death certificates
• Permanent resting place in a protected Memorial Forest
• Nature Memorial ceremony  
• Interactive online obituary  
• Estate settlement assistance to guide your family through paperwork
• Ongoing grief support for your loved ones
  

No hidden fees. No surprise charges. No coordinating multiple providers. Just complete, transparent care that honors your life and protects your family.

Take control of your arrangements today

You’ve just explored every essential aspect of cremation planning—from understanding different cremation types to protecting your family from crisis pricing, from choosing meaningful memorial options to having the conversations that bring clarity and peace of mind.

The most important decision isn’t what you choose—it’s that you choose now, while you have time to think clearly, compare options honestly, and make decisions that truly reflect your values.

Every day you wait, three things happen:

• Costs continue to rise (cremation prices increase 3-5% annually)
• Your family remains uncertain about your wishes
• The burden of these decisions stays squarely on their shoulders

But here’s what happens when you plan ahead:

• You lock in today’s pricing permanently
• Your family knows exactly what you want—no guessing, no guilt
• You eliminate thousands of dollars in crisis pricing and unnecessary add-ons
• Your memorial reflects your life and values, not rushed decisions

Talk to an Everis Guide today: We’re here to help plan ahead at your pace—no pressure, just caring guidance. Start planning online or Talk to a Guide