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44 CAREGIVING MONTANA SENIOR NEWS • OCTOBER | NOVEMBER 2024

How to Arrange

Capital We Are
Careful
T R A N S F E R & S T O R A G E Your Own
TRANSFER & STORAGE
Local Moving Specialist

Celebrating 70 Years Cremation Service
In Business

1316 Bozeman Street
Helena • 406-442-3970

Call five or six funeral homes or crema-
BY JIM MILLER, SAVVY SENIOR tion-only businesses in your area and ask
them how much they charge for a “direct
Dear Savvy Senior, cremation,” which is the most affordable
I would like to arrange a simple cremation option there is. With direct cremation,
that doesn’t cost me, or my family, a lot of there’s no embalming, viewing or memo-
money. Can you offer any tips that can help me rial service. It only includes the essentials:
with this? transportation of the body; required
Become a –Still Kicking paperwork such as death certificates; the
Classroom Mentor If you’re looking for a simple and afford- the family, usually within a week.
Dear Kicking,
cremation itself; and return of the ashes to
able way to go, cremation is an excellent If you want a viewing, memorial service
choice, and one that’s become exceedingly or anything beyond what a direct crema-
Volunteer with the
Foster Grandparent Program today. popular in the United States. About 60 tion provides, ask the funeral home for an
percent of Americans are now choosing itemized price list so you know exactly what
• Provide academic support to children cremation over a traditional burial, versus you’re paying for. All funeral providers are
in a variety of settings such as only around 20 percent in the mid-1990s. required by law to provide this.
elementary schools, preschools, Why the big shift? Price is a key rea- To locate nearby funeral homes, Google
and Head Start. son. A basic cremation can cost as little as “cremation” or “funeral” followed by your
• Earn a Non-taxable stipend of
$1000–$8300 per year. $700 to $1,200, depending on your location city and state. You can also shop and com-
• Paid vacation, sick days and holidays. and provider, versus $7,500 or more for pare prices from funeral homes in your area
a traditional funeral and cemetery burial. at Funeralocity.com.
Call 406-447-1680 Geography is another factor, as many fam- CHEAPER URNS
or visit rmdc.net ilies are spread across the country, making The urn is another item that can drive
future gravesite visits less common. up your cremation costs. Funeral home urns
Here are a few tips to help you arrange your usually cost around $100 to $350, but you
Must be at least 55 years of age and able to commit
between 5 and 40 hours each week. cremation and ensure you get a good deal. aren’t required to get one.
SHOP AROUND After cremation, your family will receive
You can arrange your ashes in a thick plastic bag inside a
a cremation through cardboard box. This is all they need if you
Southwest Chemical Dependency Program a funeral home or intend to have your ashes scattered, but if

“Where Freedom Takes Flight” a cremation-only your family wants something to display,
Amazon.com and Walmart.com both sell a
business, but it’s
wise to shop around wide variety of urns for under $50.
SWCDP is a state-approved treatment center because prices vary GREEN CREMATION
offering Intensive Inpatient and Outpatient widely. It’s not If you’re an environmentally conscious
treatment for chemical dependency. unusual for one person, there’s also a green cremation
funeral home to option you should know about called “alka-
charge $1,000, while line hydrolysis” that chemically dissolve the
430 E. Park St Phone (406) 222-2812
PO Box 1587 Email [email protected] another charges body. This is a gentler, more eco-friendly
Livingston www.swcdp.org $4,000 or more for process than traditional cremation, which
the same service. uses combustion. It’s legal in more than

We provide a high quality of life for our residents. Live with independence and freedom, with personal care
assistance services available when you need them. Retirement that’s affordable, fun and just right for you.

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406-771-7440 • 1801 9th St S, Great Falls, MT • www.TheLodgeSLC.com