Cremation FAQs

Our Simple Cremation starts at $997. We believe in transparent pricing and will explain any required additional fees before arrangements begin, so you'll always know what to expect.

The total cost of cremation varies depending on the place of death, county requirements, the number of death certificates requested, and any optional services you choose.

For most families, the total cost typically ranges between $1,400 and $2,000.

Before any arrangements begin, we'll review all applicable costs with you so there are no surprises.

Our Simple Cremation package includes:

• Transportation from the place of death*
• Climate-controlled holding area
• Filing all legal documentation with the county, city, and state
• Individual cremation
• Online obituary

*Within our local service area.

Depending on your circumstances, additional fees may apply, including:

• Death certificates
• County cremation permit fee
• State-required cremation container
• Immediate need transportation (when a death occurs at home or in a nursing facility)
• Expedited cremation
• In-office arrangements
• Urns or keepsakes

We'll always explain any applicable charges before moving forward.

Most cremations are completed within 5–10 business days, depending on required authorizations, county permits, and the issuance of the death certificate.

Yes. Most families complete arrangements online or by phone in less than 15 minutes. There's no need to visit our funeral home unless you choose to.

Water Cremation (Aquamation) is a gentle alternative to traditional flame cremation. It uses water instead of flame and typically returns more cremated remains than flame cremation. Current package pricing starts at $1,897. See our Aqua Cremation page for process details, or call us with questions.

Yes. Our Family Farewell Option includes:

• One-hour private family viewing
• Rental casket included
• Held at our funeral home
• Plus everything included in our Simple Cremation package

It provides a meaningful opportunity for family and close friends to gather, remember, and say goodbye in a private setting before cremation.

Yes.

Every cremation is performed individually. Your loved one remains in our care throughout the entire process, and their ashes are never co-mingled with anyone else's.

Once the cremation is complete, you may choose the option that works best for your family:

• Pick up the ashes at our funeral home
• Personal delivery (where available)
• Secure shipping by mail
• Other arrangements coordinated with our staff

We'll ensure your loved one's ashes are returned safely, securely, and with the utmost care and respect.

We're available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If a death occurs at a residence or nursing facility, we'll coordinate transportation into our care, guide you through the arrangement process, and handle all necessary paperwork from beginning to end.

We serve families throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs — including Cook, Lake, DuPage, and Will counties — from our locations in Chicago (on Jackson Boulevard, Pulaski Road and Cicero Avenue), Evanston, Northbrook, and Naperville. If you're outside that area, call (773) 866-2273 and we'll tell you honestly whether we can help.

Absolutely.

Pre-planning allows you to document your wishes, simplify future arrangements for your loved ones, and provide peace of mind knowing everything has been taken care of in advance.

Families choose Caring Cremations because we combine transparent pricing, compassionate care, and exceptional service. With over 1,000 five-star Google reviews, we've earned the trust of families throughout the Chicago area by treating every loved one with dignity, respect, and the same level of care we would provide to our own family.

From your first phone call until your loved one's ashes are returned, our experienced team is here to guide you through every step with honesty, compassion, and personalized support.

$997 is our Simple Cremation professional service package. Required cash advances — such as the county cremation permit, death certificates, and the state-required cremation container — are separate and vary by county and how many certificates you need. Optional items (urns, keepsakes, family farewell, expedited service) are also separate. For most families the all-in total is about $1,400–$2,000. We'll quote your exact total before you decide.

No. We do not operate an onsite crematory. Every cremation is performed individually at a licensed crematory partner. Your loved one is never cremated with anyone else, and a unique identification process follows them through return of the ashes.

Our primary service area is Chicago and the nearby suburbs across Cook, Lake, DuPage, and Will counties. We have offices at 223 W Jackson Blvd (Suite 200A), 3521 N Pulaski Rd, 6348 N Cicero Ave (Suite 201), 2521 Gross Point Rd in Evanston, 659 Academy Dr in Northbrook, and 50 S Main St (Suite 200) in Naperville. Call (773) 866-2273 if you're unsure — we'll confirm coverage right away.

We file the paperwork with the county. You'll choose how many certified copies you need (banks, insurance, and benefits offices often each want their own). Certificate fees are set by the county and are separate from the $997 package. We'll help you estimate how many to order when we arrange.

Illinois requires a suitable container for cremation. Our Simple Cremation package does not include that container; it is listed with other required cash advances so you can see it clearly. You may choose a simple alternative container or another option we offer. We'll explain choices and costs before anything proceeds.

Ashes can be returned in a temporary container at no extra charge, or you can choose an urn or keepsakes from our selection (starting around $42 for keepsakes online). You can decide at arrangement or after cremation. Browse options when you arrange online, or ask us to walk you through them by phone.

No. Illinois does not require embalming for cremation. We use refrigeration to care for your loved one. If your family chooses our Family Farewell Option — a private viewing before cremation — embalming is not required for that either. We'll explain any preparation options when we arrange.

Yes. Simple Cremation is the disposition — caring for your loved one and returning the ashes — not a limit on how you gather later. Many families hold a memorial, celebration of life, or religious service days or weeks after cremation, at home, a place of worship, or another venue of their choosing. If you'd like a private goodbye before cremation, our Family Farewell Option is available. Call (773) 866-2273 and we'll help you think through what fits your family.

In Illinois, the person with the right to control disposition can authorize cremation. Unless the decedent left written directions or named an agent, the usual order is: a designated agent in a written instrument, then the executor following the will, then the surviving spouse, then the majority of adult children, then parents, then next of kin — as set out in Illinois law (755 ILCS 65/5). We walk families through the cremation authorization paperwork and can explain what we need if more than one adult child is involved. Call (773) 866-2273 if you're unsure who can sign.

Illinois law allows ashes to be placed in a grave, crypt, or niche; scattered in a legally established scattering area (such as a cemetery scattering garden); or scattered on private property with the owner's consent. Public land — city parks, state, or federal land — may have local rules or permit requirements; for example, Illinois Department of Natural Resources land often needs a permit requested ahead of time. We'll return the ashes to you; your family chooses the disposition that feels right. We're happy to point you toward common options when you arrange.

Every cremation is performed individually — your loved one is never cremated with anyone else. A unique identification process follows them from the time we take them into our care, through our licensed crematory partner, and back to you with the ashes. Ashes are never co-mingled. If you have questions about our identification steps, ask when you call — we'll walk you through them plainly.