Explaining Extra Costs Associated With the Cremation of Plus-Sized Individuals

Obesity can impact many aspects of life, including areas you might not immediately expect—such as end-of-life services. Plus Size and Bariatric cremation is a service designed for individuals of larger body size, and it often involves additional costs. In today’s blog, we’ll explain why these extra costs are necessary.

There are two categories of larger than average cremations: Plus Size (over 250 lbs) and Bariatric (over 400 lbs). Most cremation services are designed with the assumption that the individual being cremated is of average size. When this is not the case, everything from cremation caskets to cremation chambers must be larger. Crematoriums capable of performing bariatric cremations often invest in specialized equipment to accommodate larger individuals.

Higher body fat content can also affect the cremation process, increasing temperatures in the chamber and necessitating more frequent maintenance. Additionally, larger body mass requires more time and energy to cremate, which can place extra strain on equipment and may increase the risk of overheating or damage.

Because plus size and bariatric cremations take longer to complete, fewer cremations can be processed per day, affecting the crematorium’s overall capacity. They also consume more resources, including fuel and larger-than-standard cremation containers. In some cases, extra staff or specialized training for crematorium personnel may be required to safely transport and handle larger bodies.

We hope this blog has provided clarity on why bariatric cremations can involve additional costs. If you have any questions about bariatric or other cremation services, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

At A Simple Cremation, we believe every family deserves respect, reverence, and compassion. If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about cremation services, please call or text (604) 809-2006.