I feel so bad for people who have to make quick decisions on how to take care of their deceased loved ones.

The Least Expensive Option

Just on a whim, I decided to check and see if there were any unique burial options in Lubbock. Since I came up short on that I tried to investigate the cheapest option (We all have that one relative who says, "Oh, just throw me in a dumpster"). If you don't want to donate your body to science, apparently the cheapest option is "direct cremation". Direct cremation means the body is picked up, the paperwork is done, and the body is cremated with the remains returned to you, presumably to be scattered or buried at a later date.

It's A Jungle Out There

The problem seems to be the internet. Yes, if you were new to the area and did not have any idea of who to call, you might do as I did and just search "Direct Cremation Lubbock" at which point you will get a bunch of places that are not in Lubbock. I'm not sure how an Austin funeral home could take care of my loved one here in Lubbock in a cost-effective way, but they certainly are marketing here.

Do Your Morbid Diligence

I am researching all of this on a bright, sunny Tuesday. You may have to do this while trying to process a nearly unbearable loss so it's no wonder that sometimes rash decisions are made. Take a few minutes to find out what your loved one's final wishes are, or how you plan to deal with such. After you've settled that, you may want to Google a few places to see if they can accommodate you.

I Wish I Could Help

It doesn't seem like it should be so hard or expensive to burn a body. Maybe it's the retrieval of the ashes that's expensive or even the processing of the resulting fumes. I do know a lot of these places use terms for the charges like, "Prices starting at..." which you know is going to go up, up, up. Death is part of life and I hope you will find someone compassionate of your needs and clear about the price.