What other charges may impact the Cremstar base price? Cremstar is committed to providing the most affordable cremations possible. While typical funeral homes charge a minimum of a few thousand dollars even for a simple “direct cremation” (no embalming, expensive coffin, or traditional memorial service), because we operate primarily online with phone and chat support, we can charge in the hundreds, not in the thousands of dollars. Don’t be fooled by “bait-and-switch” providers who advertise a low cost online but don’t include all that you need. Some factors do result in our incurring additional expenses; e.g. traveling long distances, or more complex removals from private homes. These surcharges are clearly explained during the checkout process (on Step 1, Options and Payment). You may also select some optional features, such as a special urn. Our transparent pricing model makes sure you always know exactly what you're paying for.
How do I know I can trust Cremstar? When you arrange a direct cremation through Cremstar, you are engaging the services of professional, licensed funeral directors and crematoria. These trusted, local experts are certified and regulated by the state, and must maintain the highest professional standards. Cremstar’s family of funeral directors has been servicing customers throughout the New York Metro area, New Jersey and Pennsylvania for more than half a century.
Will Cremstar keep my information private? How do I know you’re not selling my personal data to a 3rd party?
First, we NEVER sell customer data to anyone. Second, we anonymize data as much as possible to protect personal information. Third, we leverage the HTTPS protocol. HTTPS is a secure version of the HTTP protocol. HTTPS allows transferring data in an encrypted form. To provide this encryption, HTTPS uses an encryption protocol known as Transport Layer Security, officially referred to as a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). This protocol uses a mechanism known as asymmetric public key infrastructure to deliver an extra level of security, critical to websites like ours that transmit sensitive data such as credit card information. Finally, it’s important to remember that the HIPAA Privacy Rule protects the individually identifiable health information of decedents for fifty (50) years following their death. During this 50-year period, the Authorizing Agent is granted authorization to certain uses and disclosures of the decedent’s information.
Where will the cremation occur? Cremstar works with a large number of crematories in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. These include: Haven Memorial Cemetery & Crematory; Bucks County Crematory; Delaware County Crematory; Ivy Hill Cemetery and Crematory; Harleigh Cemetery & Crematory; and Liberty Grove Memorial Mausoleum & Crematory, among many others. All Cremstar crematories are fully licensed and accredited by the local state funeral board, certified by various federal and state agencies, and are inspected on a regular basis.
What is an informant? An informant is the person who provides notification to a funeral home or other entity that someone has passed and is in need of services. If you are the person filling out the forms on Cremstar, you are the informant. The informant may or may not be next-of-kin or another authorizing agent (though it often is). Sometimes, the informant might just be someone assisting the family at a difficult time.
What is an authorizing agent? An authorizing agent is someone with the authority to make decisions regarding what happens with the deceased. In this case, that means someone who has the legal right to request a cremation. This person is usually next-of-kin (relative), but sometimes is another person who has been given this authority by an official document; i.e. a decedent’s Last Will and Testament or Designation of Agent for Body Disposition (DABD) . The authority of any person designated in a decedent’s will or by a Designation of Agent for Body Disposition (also known as Statement of Contrary Intent) always supersedes that of next-of-kin. The Cremstar authorization form lists all of the possibilities. If you are next-of-kin to the deceased, note that there might be other next-of-kin with equal authority, such as your siblings. In such cases, it is important that you attempt to contact them prior to ordering a cremation. (See also How do I determine who is the next-of-kin (NOK), the individual with the legal authority to order a cremation? ) Be aware that for those with “power of attorney” over an individual, legal authority expires when that individual passes, and they are no longer entitled to make decisions as authorizing agent. Learn More
How do I determine who is the Next-of-Kin (NOK), the individual with the legal authority to order a cremation? In most instances, the NOK is determined in the following order:
Any person specifically designated by the decedent through a legal document (i.e. only a decedent's Last Will and Testament or Designation of Agent for Body Disposition , not if you have "power of attorney", which no longer applies after death);
If no person has been designated through legal document, the decedent's spouse, if still legally married;
In certain states, like New York, if the decedent was not married at the time of passing, the decedent's officially registered domestic partner or member of a Civil Union;
If the decedent was not married at the time of passing, or did not have an officially recognized domestic partner nor was a member of a Civil Union, the majority of adult children of the decedent are required in PA and NJ, while only one is required in NY;
If the decedent has no living children, the parent(s) of the decedent—both required in PA and NJ, while only one is required in in NY;
If the decedent has no living parent, then brothers or sisters of the decedent—the majority of siblings are required in PA and NJ, while only one is required in in NY;
If the decedent has no living brothers or sisters, then any adult nieces or nephews of the decedent;
If the decedent has no living nieces or nephews, then the siblings of the decedent's parents—i.e. the decedent's uncle(s) or aunt(s);
If the decedent's parents have no surviving children, then the grandparent(s) of the decedent, or—if both are dead—the grandparent's children.
Any Next-of-Kin must be 18 years of age or older.
Can I choose someone else — other than my next-of-kin — to take care of what happens to me after I die?
An authorizing agent is someone with the authority to make decisions regarding what happens with the deceased. This person is usually next-of-kin (a relative), but sometimes is another person who has been given this authority by an official document; i.e. a decedent’s Last Will and Testament or a Designation of Agent for Body Disposition (DABD). The authority of any person designated in a decedent’s will or by a DABD always supersedes that of next-of-kin (NOK); i.e. they take priority over everyone. Be aware that for those with “power of attorney” over an individual, legal authority expires when that individual passes, and they are no longer entitled to make decisions as authorizing agent. If you would like to download a DABD form to designate an authorizing agent and you reside in New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania, visit our Forms section.
What are the Key Next Steps if someone passes away at home?
Contact a friend or family member for help and emotional support;
Contact the hospice nurse or the police so they can pronounce the death;
If you already did a Cremstar Cost Calculator estimate and emailed it to yourself, click on the link in the email where it says Order Now;
If you didn't already do an estimate, click the Order Cremation button available on each webpage, to order immediately;
Once you have completed Cremstar's online ordering forms and all of the next of kin have signed electronically, our funeral director will call you with an ETA for our drivers;
Meantime, the hospice nurse or police will arrive and pronounce the death;
The Cremstar mortuary transport professionals will arrive to perform the removal.
I already have a Funeral Trust. Can I still take advantage of Cremstar's low cost and convenience? Yes. Even if you already have a Trust with another Funeral Home, you can still order with Cremstar … as long as
the decedent is located in a refrigerated morgue (i.e. in a hospital or at the ME). Simply call us at (888) 802-0999 and provide us with some information about
the Trust (e.g. decedent, beneficiary, amount, Trust company info.). Once we confirm the status of the Trust (during business hours), you will be able to order
by phone without a debit or credit card.
How can I Pre-Pay for a cremation? If you want to Pre-Pay for a cremation, we recommend Final Expense Insurance, also known as "funeral insurance" or "burial insurance" - a type of permanent whole life insurance. Gain peace of mind knowing your final expenses are paid in full. For more information and to know you are covered when the time comes, visit our Pre-Pay page.
How can I pay? Cremstar accepts most major credit or debit cards, as well as MasterCard/VISA gift cards (available for cash purchase at most grocery stores, drug stores, and gas stations) and Zelle... You can pay online or by telephone. There is no sales tax on cremations. We also provide each customer with a personalized Statement of Goods and Services, which you can submit to your insurance carrier for reimbursement.
Why do I have to pay a restocking/change order fee just because I canceled or made a change to my order? Square does not refund transaction charges to Cremstar when a refund has been issued. As a result, in the event that a customer
changes their order, requiring a refund to the customer, Cremstar must recoup the transaction charge associated with the refund at a rate of 2.9% + 30 cents.
Furthermore, since issuing a change order and refund requires additional time for our funeral director and staff to execute, Cremstar assesses a Restocking (Change Order) fee .
Why would I have to pay an extra storage fee? In the vast majority of cases, it takes 2-3 days to secure the legal documentation required by the state to perform a direct cremation. Sometimes, things don't go smoothly and key information may be unavailable at first, such as the signatures of all the NOKs, or the signature of the doctor or nurse on the death certificate. In the event the decedent must be placed in a refrigerated unit while Cremstar's funeral director secures all the legal documentation required to perform the direct cremation, customers may be asked to pay an additional storage fee of $50/night, beginning on the evening of the third business day following the initial removal, exclusive of weekends and holidays.
Can I get assistance from the state to help pay for a cremation? If the decedent was on Medicaid or SSI, call us at (888) 802-0999 once they’ve passed. If they're currently in a
refrigerated morgue (e.g. in a hospital or with the Medical Examiner), we’ll check with the county and see if you qualify for a FREE cremation and more.
Note that this may take several business days to confirm. If the person passes at home or in a hospice facility or nursing home, unless the decedent is first
removed to the coroner’s office by the Medical Examiner, we will not be able to verify if they qualify. (Currently only available in New Jersey.)
What is pre-plan, pre-need and at-need ? Does Cremstar offer these? If you are planning ahead (i.e. pre-plan ) and want
to Pre-Pay for a cremation, we recommend Final Expense Insurance, also known s "funeral insurance" or "burial insurance" - a type of permanent whole life insurance.
Gain peace of mind knowing your final expenses are paid in full. For more information and to know you are covered when the time comes, visit our
Pre-Pay page. If you are in immediate need because a death has
already occurred (i.e. at-need ), order a direct cremation now.
If a death is imminent (i.e. in a matter of days or weeks and you're pre-need ),
visit the Cremstar Cremation Cost Calculator for a price quote and to email yourself a
customized "Order Now" link so that you're ready when the death occurs. Cremstar is the only company in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions that offers all of
these options completely online.
When will the cremation be performed? By law, cremations cannot be done until a minimum of 24 hours after death. In most cases, the cremation will take place within 7 business days of all the required permits having been secured. Occasionally, it may take a day or two longer—for example, if the cause of death needs to be confirmed, if the crematory is particularly busy (e.g. during a pandemic), or when a death occurs over a holiday. Once the cremation is completed, the time until you receive the cremains (ashes) depends on your selection of how you wish to receive them. Sometimes, when local crematories are busy or closed and no longer accepting decedents, we may be forced to perform the cremation at a licensed crematory different from the one first posted on the website. In such cases, if you’ve chosen to pick up the cremains, you’ll be notified in advance of the alternate location.
How do I get the ashes back? Customers choose how they would like to have the ashes returned to them when they first order the cremation. You may pick up your loved one’s cremains (ashes) from the crematory or Cremstar funeral home at no cost. You can have them shipped via USPS, anywhere in the world, by special rate. Or, if you’d prefer, we can scatter them anonymously for a nominal fee in one of our scattering gardens or at sea.
What if I forget to pick up the ashes or can't make it when I said I would? Customers have 30 days to pick up cremains. If you fail to do so in that time, we'll email you a reminder that you have 30 more days to pick up the cremains. If you fail to pick up the cremains (or have them shipped or anonymously scattered) within that defined period, we will place them into storage. Note that you will need to pay a $50 storage retrieval fee and $100 for us to ship the cremains to you. If after one year, you have not retrieved the cremains, they will be scattered anonymously in one of our scattering gardens or at sea. Please be aware that if you requested the cremains be shipped to you, and then decide to pick them up instead, we will assess an additional $25 change order fee; i.e. we will only refund you $75 of the original $100 shipping fee.
What do the ashes come in? They are sealed within a durable plastic bag, which is in turn placed inside a biodegradable reinforced cardboard
Cremstar Scattering Tube . Or, you can purchase a custom urn when you first order your cremation (Section 1, Options and Payment),
including high-quality, bespoke urns and other funeral products from Final Spring.
What restrictions might I face traveling with cremains (cremated remains)? Travelers flying domestically are allowed to travel with cremains in a checked bag. However, we strongly recommend you transport
cremains in a carry-on bag to help protect the contents from the risks associated with checked baggage. According to TSA regulations, cremains in carry-on must pass through an
X-ray machine to be screened prior to boarding. It is best if they are transported in the biodegradable reinforced cardboard Cremstar Scattering Tube that Cremstar provides to customers at no extra charge. Metal urns are likely to set off the alarm. If the X-ray operator cannot clear the remains, TSA may apply other, non-intrusive means of resolving the alarm. We encourage domestic travelers to bring a certified copy of the death certificate with them while flying, provided by Cremstar at your request. Foreign travelers must submit the Statement of Funeral Goods and Services Selected PDF, plus the receipt PDF Cremstar provides to all customers, as well as a certified copy of the death certificate, provided by Cremstar at your request, to the local consulate office of the country you wish to visit. The consulate will provide you with the required paperwork you will need to bring with you so that you may enter the country with the cremains.
Can I see my loved one before they're cremated? And can I view the actual cremation itself? Yes, Cremstar offers the following viewing options:
Time: < 15 minutes
# of Attendees: 3 or fewer
Generally, this occurs within 24 hours of the passing. Cremstar staff will prepare the decedent for respectful presentation, removing all visible tubes
and other devices, as required. Decedent will be placed on a viewing platform and covered by a sheet from the neck down, with the face visible to attendees.
Attendance by children under thirteen is discouraged. Live streaming may be available.
Time: 60 minutes
# of Attendees: 5 or fewer
Cremstar staff will embalm and prepare the decedent for respectful presentation. Decedent will be placed on a viewing platform and covered by a sheet from
the neck down, with the face visible to attendees. Attendance by children under thirteen is discouraged. Live streaming may be available.
Time: < 15 minutes
# of Attendees: 3 or fewer
Decedent will be placed within a cremation tray; their face and body will not be visible to the family. Attendees will be located in a designated viewing area
enabling them to see the tray being placed in the retort. A family member may be responsible for "pushing the button" to begin the cremation process.
Attendance by children under thirteen is discouraged. Live streaming may be available.
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What happens if my loved one had a pacemaker or some other implanted medical device? We ask you when you first order a cremation if the decedent has an implanted heart pacemaker, radiation producing device, or other implanted medical device(s). It’s important to tell us. Failure to inform Cremstar of the presence of such devices could result in harmful consequences to the crematory’s retort during the cremation process.
Can I use Cremstar if I want to have a memorial service or some kind of life celebration? Absolutely. Most Cremstar customers choose to hold some sort of life celebration event, and it's often up to 2 years after the passing. Today, services are no longer relegated to traditional venues such as churches, temples, or mosques. Rather, they're being held in a wide variety of locations, from private homes and local restaurants/clubs, to unusual outdoor venues. (Make sure that if you're scattering cremains, you do so on private property, or beyond the two-mile boundary at sea; check local regulations.) Events may be themed (e.g. for Star Trek fans), formal or casual, daytime or night. Some encourage guests to bring along the lost loved one's favorite dishes for a customized potluck repast.
I've filled out all the forms. Now what? Is there anything else I have to do? You're just about done! Prior to the removal, the funeral director will call you to confirm some details and to make final arrangements. After that, your loved one will be picked up, cremated, and returned to you. Additionally, if you selected "I will pick up" for the cremains, you will be contacted when they are ready for pickup.
How do I order death certificates and how many do I need? You can purchase up to 20 certified copies of the death certificate ("certs") when you first order your cremation (on Step 1, Options and Payment). We generally recommend customers order at least six (6) certs. Uniquely numbered certified copies of the death certificate are required to close out bank accounts, insurance policies, or if the decedent had title to property. Whenever you have to prove to an institution like a bank or insurance company that the decedent has passed, you’ll need to provide them with a certified copy of the death certificate, which they generally retain for their files. Photocopies are not accepted. We do not mark up death certificates; we charge the same price as the state. However, we do sometimes charge a postage/handling fee and/or assess a credit card fee on the purchase of additional death certificates. After the initial order, we recommend customers use VitalChek.com to purchase more certificates in New York and Pennsylvania. In New Jersey, visit the online order form page from the Office of Vital Statistics & Registry.
How can I get free veteran's death certificates in New Jersey? The state of New Jersey provides one free certified copy of the death certificate, available through the state registrar. According to subsection 26:8-63, the State registrar shall furnish without fee upon request a certified copy of a veteran's death certificate to the veteran's legal representative, the executor or administrator of the veteran's estate, or to a family member authorized to obtain a copy of the death certificate pursuant to subsection a. of R.S.26:8-62. No more than one copy of a veteran's death certificate may be provided without fee; all other copies of the death certificate shall be subject to the statutory fee. As used in this subsection, "fee" includes, but is not limited to, any search, certification, processing, authentication, standard shipping, or other fees that would ordinarily be assessed to furnish a certified copy of a death certificate. Typically, the state takes 4-6 weeks or longer to process once you have ordered your free death certificate. For more information, call 609-292-4087.
va.gov , or call the VA benefits hotline at 800-827-1000.
How can I get free veteran's death certificates in Pennsylvania? The PA Department of Vital Records provides ten (10) free certified death certificate copies. These free copies can be ordered by the veteran's legal representative, the executor or administrator of the veteran's estate, the veteran's spouse, or on behalf of a dependent children through the state website. Typically, they take 4-6 weeks or longer to process once you have ordered them. For more information, call 844-228-3516.
va.gov , or call the VA benefits hotline at 800-827-1000.
Where is Cremstar available? When is Cremstar coming to my area? Cremstar is available to customers throughout the New York Major Metropolitan area, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. To check which specific counties we cover, visit the Order Now form or Cremstar's Cremation Cost Calculator .
What is a MemoryBox memorial? MemoryBox is the nation's premier memorialization website and app. With a MemoryBox memorial, you, your family and friends can post and share photos and memories of your lost loved one, simply, from any device, and from anywhere in the world. Plus, it serves as a place you can return to, again and again. Every Cremstar cremation comes with a free MemoryBox memorial. According to Dr. Clay Routledge, world-renowned expert in the psychology of nostalgia, memory and death, "Study after study has shown that nostalgia acts as a psychological resource that helps people cope with life's stressors and uncertainties, resulting in increased positive mood, self-esteem, feelings of belongingness, and perceptions of meaning in life. If you're a family member or friend of someone who's dying, or of someone who has recently passed, MemoryBox can help you cope with your loss more effectively, delivering real clinical benefits." (See also What is a MemoryBox Event Memory? and What is a MemoryBox in the Metaverse and how do I set one up?)
What is a MemoryBox Event Memory? In addition to Memorial (People) Memories at MemoryBox, you can set up an Event Memory at MemoryBox , perfect if you’re hosting a Life Celebration Event, a memorial dinner or repast. When folks who have joined your Event Memory take photographs (on the day and time of the event) — even if they’re not using the MemoryBox app and take their photos the way they always do — all the relevant images are copied from their photo roll automatically and posted to the shared Memory online. No more, “I'll send you those pictures later” or “I'll put them on a thumb drive when I get back to …” Folks simply take pictures the way they always do and they show up in the Memory. It’s that easy. (HINT: You can create an Event Memory at MemoryBox for any event, not just for Life Celebration Events.)
What is a MemoryBox in the Metaverse and how do I set one up? For families that are distributed far and wide, for those who find traveling difficult, for folks who are sick and tired of
videoconferencing, there is an alternative. Hold your Celebration of Life … in the metaverse! If you'd like to arrange a virtual
Celebration of Life, especially in these pandemic times, we've pioneered MemoryBox in the Metaverse , a 3D online environment where you
can memorialize lost loved ones and host a virtual Celebration of Life in real—time, with live eulogies, and guests from anywhere in the world. Take a tour inside a sample
MemoryBox in the Metaverse MemoryBox in the Metaverse , you can host a virtual Celebration of Life there for your loved one, and invite friends and family to
join. For more information, visit MetaMemoryBox.com .
