The cost of a cremation in Louisiana depends mostly on the kind of cremation you choose, who performs it, and what is or is not included in the price. Many funeral home websites say "call for pricing." We would rather make it easy to find. At Colligan Crematory & Funeral Services in Broussard, we publish our prices on our website, so you can see them before you ever pick up the phone. You will find them on our
cremation packages and pricing page and in our full
general price list.
What cremation costs depend on
When you compare cremation prices, the differences usually come down to four things.
The kind of cremation. Direct cremation, with no viewing or ceremony beforehand, is the simplest option. Adding a private family viewing, a memorial service, or a traditional service with the casket present adds staff time, facilities, and preparation, and the price reflects that.
Who performs the cremation. Some funeral homes send the cremation to a separate crematory and the cost is passed along in their price. Colligan operates its own crematory on site in Broussard, so we do not pay another company to perform the cremation. It is one of the reasons we can keep our prices affordable.
Merchandise. A cremation does not require a casket. A simple alternative container is all that is needed, and our direct cremation package comes with one. Urns vary widely in style and price, and you are never required to buy one from a funeral home.
Extras and fees. Ask every provider for a written list of what is not included in the quoted price. Common items to ask about are the transfer of your loved one into the funeral home's care, certified copies of the death certificate, a newspaper obituary, and payment fees. At Colligan, the obituary on our website is free. A newspaper obituary is separate, and newspapers set their own rates. Certified copies of a death certificate carry a fee, and families usually need more than one for insurance, banks, and benefits.
Our cremation options
We offer four cremation options, and each is priced on our
cremation pricing page:
- Direct Cremation. The essential services of our staff and funeral director, the cremation at our on-site crematory, an alternative container, and a temporary urn. There is no viewing or service beforehand.
- The Farewell Cremation. A private family viewing before the cremation, for up to one hour and up to ten people.
- Memorial Service with Cremation. Cremation followed by a three-hour gathering and memorial service at our facility or another location.
- Tribute Package. A traditional service with viewing before the cremation, with an oak rental casket included.
You can call us at (337) 999-0269 with a question about any of them.
The paperwork
Louisiana law requires a permit and written authorization before a cremation. We will walk you through the paperwork. Ask us whether any permit fee applies in your parish, so there are no surprises.
Questions families ask about cremation cost
Why do quotes from different funeral homes vary so much?
Mostly because of what is included, whether the funeral home has its own crematory or pays another company, and how much it costs to run the business. Ask each one for its itemized general price list and compare line by line what is actually included.
Is a funeral home required to give me its prices?
Yes. The Federal Trade Commission's Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to give you an itemized general price list that you can keep when you begin discussing arrangements, and to give accurate price information to callers who ask by phone. You should not have to come in person to learn a price.
Does insurance or Social Security cover cremation?
Life insurance can often be assigned to pay for funeral costs, and we accept insurance assignment. Ask us how it works for your policy. Social Security pays a one-time death payment of $255 to an eligible surviving spouse or, if there is none, to an eligible child. It helps, but it will not cover a cremation on its own. Our page on
Social Security benefits has more.
Do we have to hold a service to have a cremation?
No. Direct cremation includes no service, and many families hold their own remembrance afterward. If you would like a service, our memorial and Tribute options include one.
How do I start?
Call us at (337) 999-0269. We answer at any hour, and we will explain your options. If you are planning ahead rather than facing an immediate need, our
online pre-planning form is a gentle way to begin. You can also read more about our
cremation services.
