Losing a loved one is never easy, and planning a final goodbye can feel overwhelming. More families in Chicagoland — including Chicago and McHenry County — are choosing cremation for its many advantages. In this post, we explore the key benefits of cremation, including affordability, simplicity, flexibility, and environmental impact.
Why is cremation becoming so popular in our area? Below, we explore the key benefits of cremation — including affordability, simplicity, flexibility, personalization, and environmental impact — and how it compares to burial.
The Growing Benefits of Cremation vs. Burial in Chicagoland
Cremation has surged in popularity both nationally and locally. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, over 60% of Americans now choose cremation, with that number expected to rise to over 80% by 2040. Illinois has historically leaned toward burial, but that’s rapidly changing.
Why? Because traditional funerals in Illinois can cost between $7,000 and $10,000 — before factoring in the price of cemetery plots or headstones. Families are increasingly seeking dignified, lower-cost alternatives.
At Trusted Cremations, we offer two affordable packages:
- Traditional Cremation Package – $1,300
- Flameless (Water) Cremation Package – $1,700
- Military and first responders receive $100 off either package
The cost savings alone make cremation a compelling choice, but the benefits go far beyond dollars and cents.
Financial Benefits of Cremation: A Cost Comparison
One of the most well-known benefits of cremation is affordability. Cremation eliminates or reduces many costs associated with burial, including:
- Caskets and vaults: Cremation doesn’t require a traditional casket. Our packages include a wooden urn and an alternative container.
- Burial plots and markers: Ashes can be kept at home, interred in a columbarium, or scattered.
- Embalming: Not required for direct cremation, which saves on preparation expenses.
Every cremation package from Trusted Cremations includes:
- Transportation and removal of the deceased
- Ten (10) certified death certificates
- Completion of all permits and paperwork
- A temperature-controlled holding area
- The cremation itself
- A wooden urn
This all-inclusive approach makes cremation an affordable and transparent option for families across Chicago and the suburbs. See our Cremation Services page for full details.
Simplicity and Peace of Mind: More Benefits of Cremation
Another practical benefit of cremation is its simplicity. Burial often requires families to:
- Coordinate with cemeteries
- Schedule grave services
- Arrange for embalming, viewing, and transport
By comparison, cremation is:
- Faster: Typically completed within days
- Easier to manage: Fewer third-party vendors involved
- Flexible: Families can take their time with memorial planning
Illinois only requires a 24-hour waiting period. Once permits are filed, cremation can occur. At Trusted Cremations, we make the entire process as smooth as possible — including support for pre-planning if you’d prefer to make arrangements in advance.
Flexible Memorial Options: One of the Key Benefits of Cremation
Cremation allows for nearly limitless options when it comes to memorialization. Unlike burial, you are not tied to a single location or a rushed timeline.
With cremation, you can:
- Hold a service weeks or months later, when family is ready
- Choose any meaningful location for the ceremony
- Keep the ashes, divide them, bury them, or scatter them
This flexibility brings peace of mind during a difficult time — you don’t have to rush decisions or feel pressured into rigid funeral formats.
Personalized and Meaningful Memorial Options
One of the most cherished benefits of cremation is the ability to create highly personal tributes:
- Keepsake urns or miniature urns for each family member
- Cremation jewelry: Pendants, lockets, or rings that hold a small portion of ashes
- Custom memorial art or glass infused with ashes
- Scattering ceremonies in special locations (where permitted)
At Trusted Cremations, we also offer:
- Private viewing before cremation – $400
- Witnessing the start of cremation – $450
These services give families the opportunity for final goodbyes and meaningful rituals, even if a formal funeral isn’t planned.
Environmental Benefits of Cremation for Chicago Families
Families in Chicagoland are also choosing cremation for its environmental benefits. Compared to traditional burial, cremation:
- Uses less land and fewer natural resources
- Avoids toxic embalming chemicals
- Requires no vaults or grave liners
Our Flameless Cremation Package uses alkaline hydrolysis (also known as water cremation), which:
- Uses 90% less energy than flame-based cremation
- Produces zero harmful emissions
- Leaves only clean, mineral ash
This makes cremation a responsible, sustainable option — especially for those who wish to leave a lighter footprint.
Learn more on our Water Cremation page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still have a funeral with cremation?
Yes. Families can host a funeral or celebration of life before or after cremation.
What happens to the ashes?
Ashes are returned in a wooden urn, included in both cremation packages. Families may keep, scatter, or bury them.
Can the ashes be divided?
Yes. We offer guidance on sharing ashes among relatives and options for keepsake containers.
Are there any additional costs?
If the deceased weighs over 300 lbs, there may be additional fees:
- 300–400 lbs: $50
- 400–500 lbs: $100
- Over 500 lbs: $150
We always explain these costs up front with transparency and respect.
A Compassionate Choice and Call to Action
The benefits of cremation are clear:
- Lower cost
- Simplified arrangements
- Flexible and creative memorials
- Gentle impact on the environment
At Trusted Cremations, we help families throughout Chicago, Schaumburg, McHenry County, and the surrounding suburbs with compassionate, professional care — 24/7.
Explore our services:
Whether you need immediate assistance or want to plan ahead, we’re here to help you understand your options and choose what’s right for your family.
Contact Trusted Cremations today to begin the conversation.