Cremation Society of Illinois - Chicago, IL - funerals, cremations, caskets, urns, and scattering

What is the Cremation Society of Illinois?

This is currently the only exclusive cremation society in Illinois.

Society members come from all social, religious, and economic backgrounds, finding unity in their mutual attraction to the simplicity of the cremation rite. They choose to dispense with costly and unnecessary pomp associated with conventional families to the dignified disposition at the time of death.

Our membership plan allows families to make all arrangements in advance, thereby relieving survivors of the need to make urgent decisions while in the state of grief. Preplanning provides families with complete peace of mind, both emotionally and financially.

At the time of death, our counselors are available to assist the needs of your survivors, arranging memorial services, filing newspaper obituaries and handling Social Security and Veterans' benefits.

Most Society members are not only attracted to the purity and dignity of this rite but are also concerned citizens who look toward the future and the eventual scarcity of land. They also believe that the thousands of dollars saved in funeral costs can be put to a much more meaningful use through bequests to children or grandchildren - or perhaps left in a memoriam to the decedent's favorite charity as a continuation of his or her efforts to build a better tomorrow.

Q. How does Cremation Society of Illinois work?

A. Cremation Society is notified immediately at the time of death. The member's body is transported to the Society's holding facility until the death certificate can be signed by the attending physician or medical examiner. After a cremation permit is secured the body is then cremated. This usually occurs in three to five days.

Q. Does the body have to be embalmed?

A. No. Cremation Society of Illinois' modern facilities and proper refrigeration eliminate the need to embalm. However, embalming may be necessary if you have certain cremation/funeral services, such as a viewing.

Q. What happens to the ashes after Cremation?

A. Your cremated remains (ashes) will be handled according to your written instructions.

Q. In what kind of container are the cremated remains returned?

A. The cremated remains are placed in a cardboard container at no charge to you. We have permanent urns available as inexpensive as $45.00.

Q. At the time of death, what is the cost for the cremation service?

A. The cost of the cremation service is presently $1,145.00 for members. This can be pre-paid or paid at the time services are rendered. The charge to non-members, whom we also service, is more.

Q. Is your price of $1,145.00 for cremation service good for the entire state of Illinois?

A. Yes. Cremation Society of Illinois offers services to the entire state at one price. However, there is an additional transportation charge of $1.50 per mile one way driven in excess of 30 miles from any of our locations.

Q. May I pre-pay the Cremation cost of $1,145.00?

A. Yes, and this is all you will ever pay. Your funds are placed in a trust account in a federally insured institution or into insurance. The account is between the Society and you. At the time of death, the Society retains the principal plus interest, in consideration for your lifetime guarantee

Q. Is this trust/insurance fund refundable?

A. Yes, in accordance with Illinois State Law, funds are placed in a trust/insurance account. Your trust is refundable at anytime.

Q. Do Social Security and Veterans' benefits apply to the Cremation Society services?

A. Yes, there are certain decedents whose heirs may be eligible for Social Security benefits or for Veteran's benefits. Our counselors are available to explain the regulations pertaining to eligibility for these death benefits.

Q. What other services do you offer my survivors after death?

A. A Cremation Society counselor will assist your survivors in arranging a Memorial Service, filing obituaries, obtaining certified copies of death certificates, applying for all death benefits and selecting a cremation container (required by state of Illinois) and an urn. Charges for permits, certified copies, newspaper notices, etc. are cash advances, payable at the time of arrangements.

Q. What happens if the death occurs while on vacation out of state?

A. Cremation Society of Illinois wants you to be protected no matter when or where you need it. For an additional small one-time charge (in addition to the membership and cremation fees) Cremation Society of Illinois offers travel protection plans which facilitate the same quality service at no additional cost anywhere in the world.

Q. May I change my instructions in the future?

A. Yes. You may change any instructions you wish, just by contacting us.

Q. Do you have anyone who can speak Spanish or Polish?

A. Yes. Our Counselor will go to any of our 9 locations or to the family's home.

Q. Is the modern trend toward Cremation?

A. Most definitely. In some parts of the country, cremation occurs after more than a third of all deaths. Of course, cremation is as old as man himself, having been practiced for centuries in other cultures. Our modern approach is simply a reflection on our growing concern for the environment, combined with appreciation of the simplicity and dignity of the cremation rite.

Q. Is Cremation Society licensed by the State of Illinois?

A. Yes. All Directors at Cremation Society of Illinois are licensed by the state of Illinois.

Q. How do I join Cremation Society of Illinois?

A. Fill out the authorization and mail it to our office with a one-time registration fee of $50.00 for a single membership or $90.00 for married couples. This fee defrays the cost of setting up and maintaining you records. It is not refundable, nor an offset to final service costs. We will register you, and send you wallet-sized membership cards and a certificate of registration. Members may call or write us regarding any related question. If you want to pre-pay the $1,145.00, your survivors will never be charged for your arrangements, no matter how far into the future our services are needed.

Q. If this in not the type of service I want, can the Cremation Society of Illinois be of any assistance?

A. Yes. Our counselors have information regarding traditional funeral services with a rental casket followed by cremation, traditional funeral services followed by earth burial and information on caskets and burial vaults. If you are concerned about funeral cost, in some cases we could save you thousands of dollars.

*Price subject to change without notice.

Email: info@cremation-society.com