Chicago Cremation Services:
Compassionate Care When You Need It Most
Why Choose Oakwood Cremations in Chicago?
At Oakwood Cremations, we recognize that planning end-of-life services is an emotional and challenging journey.
Situated in the heart of Chicago, our mission is to provide dignified, affordable, and personalized cremation services that honor your loved one's memory while offering genuine support during your time of grief.
Every family's story is unique, and we believe that end-of-life services should reflect that individuality.
Our approach goes beyond a simple transaction – we offer a compassionate partnership during one of life's most challenging moments.
We combine deep local expertise with genuine empathy, ensuring that each family receives personalized care that respects their specific needs, cultural background, and financial considerations.
Our team in Chicago has years of experience navigating the emotional and practical complexities of cremation services. We pride ourselves on transparency, offering clear guidance and support from the moment you first contact us through every step of the process.
Direct Cremation Services
starting at $1,000
Direct cremation offers a straightforward and cost-effective solution for families seeking a simple, respectful approach to final arrangements. This option minimizes complexity while maintaining the highest standards of care.
Our standard direct cremation package encompasses everything from professional transportation and documentation to the cremation process itself, ensuring a seamless experience during a challenging time.
Our cremation service is transparent, simple and centered around you and your family with no hidden fees.
Our basic cremation service starts at
$1,000
What's Included In A Simple Cremation Package?
- Professional services of a funeral director and staff
- Climate control for your loved one until cremation
- Securing of all necessary authorizations for cremation
- Alternative container if required for cremation
- Local transfer to the crematory
- Disposal of medical waste/pathological materials
- Local delivery of cremated remains in Lake County or the North and Northwest suburbs of Chicago
Our families also need to choose one of two types of cremation listed below for final disposition for their loved one (not included in the $1,000 fee):
Flame Cremation @ $275.00
Eco-friendly Water Cremation @ $550.00
The additional total cost of a local transfer of your loved one into our care will be determined at the time of arrangements, depending on the zip code and not to exceed $300.00.
Lastly, our families are required to purchase a county cremation permit for their loved one's cremation. The cremation permit cost is based on the place of death, and our on-duty staff can help to determine the cost of the cremation permit.
Our basic service does not include the following charges, which will be added to your final statement:
Local transfer of your loved one into our care
Flame Cremation or Eco-friendly Water Cremation
County cremation permits, death certificates, all merchandise, shipping of cremated remains or sales tax
Aquamation: An Innovative, Eco-Friendly Alternative
As environmental consciousness continues to grow, we're proud to offer aquamation as an innovative alternative to traditional cremation.
This water-based cremation process represents a significant step forward in environmentally responsible disposition. Using 90% less energy compared to traditional cremation, aquamation provides a gentle, sustainable option that appeals to environmentally conscious families.
Our water cremation service goes beyond traditional methods, offering a process that is both scientifically advanced and emotionally considerate.
Families can take comfort in knowing they're choosing a method that minimizes environmental impact while maintaining the utmost respect for their loved one.
What's Included In A Water Cremation Package?
- Professional services of a funeral director and staff
- Climate control for your loved one until cremation
- Securing of all necessary authorizations for cremation
- Alternative container if required for cremation
- Local transfer to the crematory
- Disposal of medical waste/pathological materials
- Local delivery of cremated remains in Lake County or the North and Northwest suburbs of Chicago
Why Choose Cremation?
Cremation is chosen by many for a variety of reasons, including cultural and religious beliefs that embrace this practice, its cost-effectiveness compared to traditional burial, and its perceived environmental friendliness due to the reduced use of resources and land. The flexibility of memorialization options, space-saving benefits, and portability of cremated remains also make it an attractive choice. For some, the simplicity of the cremation process eases the emotional burden during a difficult time.
In addition to traditional flame cremation, we also offer water cremation as an alternative method. Water cremation, also known as aquamation or alkaline hydrolysis, is a newer, environmentally friendly approach to cremation. It involves using a water-based solution and gentle heat to accelerate the natural decomposition process, leaving behind only bone fragments. This method has gained popularity for its reduced carbon footprint and its gentler ecological impact.
Ultimately, the decision to opt for cremation is deeply personal and reflects a blend of cultural, financial, environmental, and individual preferences. Learn more about the two types of cremation options we offer below and discover which one aligns best with your values and wishes.
Full Funeral Services for Your Loved Ones
We recognize that some families desire a more comprehensive memorial experience. Our full funeral services offer extensive support and flexibility, including memorial service planning, venue coordination, and customized tribute creation. We understand that each family's needs are unique, and we're committed to creating a meaningful celebration of life that truly reflects the individual being honored.
What is Flame Cremation?
Traditional cremation, also known as flame-based cremation, involves placing the deceased in a high-temperature cremation chamber, where the intense heat causes organic matter to combust. This method holds cultural significance and remains a common choice for dignified disposition of human remains.
What is Water Cremation?
Water cremation, also called aquamation, offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditional flame-based cremation. It uses a heated alkaline water solution to gently break down the body, leaving behind cremains that can be safely returned to the environment or to the family for memorialization.
