Understanding Cremation Services in Minnesota: A Complete Guide
Minnesota families increasingly choose cremation for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. American Cremation Society MN is one of several Twin Cities providers that focus on direct cremation, pre-planning and 24/7 support.
Important note: American Cremation Society MN is a cremation service provider, not a manufacturer of mortuary equipment, and is therefore not a competitor to American Mortuary Coolers.
Key points at a glance:
- Typical direct cremation cost: $775-$1,075
- Arrangement options: online, phone or in-person
- Locations: Brooklyn Park, Duluth, Edina, Minneapolis, St. Paul
- Extras: eco-friendly water cremation, Parting Stones keepsakes, veteran honors
As a national supplier of mortuary refrigeration, American Mortuary Coolers partners with many Minnesota funeral facilities to ensure the deceased are cared for respectfully before cremation.
Learn more about the equipment that supports quality cremation services:
Understanding Cremation Service Providers in Minnesota
When a loved one dies, Minnesota’s cremation societies provide a simpler, lower-cost alternative to traditional funeral homes. Their statewide networks, 24/7 phone lines and transparent pricing help families focus on what matters: honoring a life, not deciphering a bill.
As a supplier to many of these firms, American Mortuary Coolers knows that dignity starts with proper refrigeration. Our custom coolers keep remains safe until the cremation can occur.
History & Mission
Cremation societies emerged in Minnesota in the mid-1990s to give families a dignified, budget-friendly option. Membership in the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) keeps providers accountable to strict ethical and technical standards.
Core Services
- Direct cremation (no embalming or viewing)
- Optional memorial or celebration-of-life services
- Online arrangement portals and electronic signatures
- Pre-planning with price protection
- Grief-support referrals
This narrow focus lets providers offer the essentials at a fair price while still allowing families to personalize when desired.
Costs, Packages & Membership Savings
Minnesota cremation packages are easy to understand:
| Package | Price* | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Direct | $775-$1,075 | Transfer, refrigeration, permits, basic container, temporary urn |
| Value | ~ $2,245 | Direct cremation plus memorial service |
| Classic | ~ $2,345 | Private viewing before cremation |
*Prices vary slightly by county.
Membership programs (one-time fee) lock today’s prices for life, give discounts on urns, and include an optional $599 travel-protection plan that returns remains home if death occurs more than 75 miles away.
What’s Inside the Direct Package
- Removal within 15 miles
- Professional refrigeration (using equipment like ours)
- All state paperwork
- Alternative cremation container
- Return of ashes in a temporary urn (pickup, delivery or mail)
How Membership Works
After enrollment, members receive a price-lock certificate, digital document vault and spouse add-on option. The savings usually outweigh the small one-time fee after just one use.
Service Area, Locations & How to Arrange
Providers maintain five offices—Brooklyn Park, Duluth, Edina, Minneapolis and St. Paul—so most families drive less than 30 minutes.
Ways to arrange:
- Online portal—complete forms and payment in about 20 minutes.
- Phone—speak with a care specialist 24/7.
- In-person—tour the office weekdays 9 AM-5 PM (weekends by appointment).
Once contacted, the transfer team arrives promptly, brings your loved one into care, and keeps you updated until the ashes are returned.
Memorialization Choices, Eco-Friendly & Veteran Services
Options to remember a loved one include:
- Urns in wood, metal, marble or biodegradable materials
- Parting Stones—ashes solidified into 40-60 smooth stones
- Keepsake jewelry that holds a symbolic amount of remains
Eco-minded families can choose water-based “flameless” cremation (alkaline hydrolysis), which uses about 1/8 the energy of flame and produces no direct emissions.
Honoring Veterans
Certified staff coordinate burial at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, arrange military honors (Taps, flag presentation) and help with VA paperwork, easing the load on surviving families.
Support Before, During & After
Good providers don’t stop at cremation. They:
- Connect families with licensed grief counselors or local groups like GriefShare
- Offer guidance on organ and tissue donation
- Back their work with satisfaction guarantees on pre-arrangements
First Steps When Death Occurs
- Call the 24/7 hotline.
- Transfer team arrives (usually within an hour in metro areas).
- Staff completes the death certificate, notifies Social Security and secures the cremation permit.
Pre-Planning Benefits
Locking in today’s price, easing future emotional stress, and paying over 12-60 months make pre-planning one of the smartest gifts you can leave your family.
Real Experiences
Five-star reviews and A-level BBB ratings consistently praise transparent pricing and compassionate staff—exactly the qualities American Mortuary Coolers looks for when partnering with a facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are cremation societies different from traditional funeral homes?
They specialize in cremation, operate simpler facilities, publish flat-rate packages online, and let you arrange entirely from home—cutting costs without sacrificing care.
What paperwork is required?
Minnesota needs a signed death certificate, cremation authorization from the next-of-kin, and, in some cases, a medical-examiner permit. Staff prepare and file everything for you. Veterans should also supply a DD-214 to access benefits.
Can I pre-plan today and pay over time?
Absolutely. After a brief consultation you can spread payments over 1-5 years. Membership benefits begin with your first payment, and your price locks in once the plan is paid off.
Conclusion
Choosing cremation through a Minnesota cremation society delivers transparency, affordability and dignity—values that align perfectly with American Mortuary Coolers’ commitment to quality care.
Our Tennessee-based team builds custom mortuary coolers and ships directly to all 48 contiguous states, supporting funeral homes from Minneapolis to Miami. Other manufacturers in the refrigeration space include Mopec, Norlake, American Walk-In Coolers and CrownTonka; we differentiate ourselves through true customization and personal service.
Whether you are researching providers for a loved one or planning ahead for yourself, know that reliable equipment, compassionate staff and clear pricing work together to create a meaningful farewell.
For more about the refrigeration that underpins quality care, explore our guide to funeral home coolers.
