Funeral and Cremation Costs

By now you have come to realize that funeral and cremation costs vary greatly from provider to provider.  This variance is significant and can have an extremely important impact on the direction you choose to go in selecting your funeral or cremation provider.

As you may have discovered by now, finding straightforward, honest answers can be difficult.  Everyone seems to attach "their own twist" to the whole pricing of services - usually to gain more profit.  We can assist you to get the answers you deserve.

If you have been searching cremation prices, you have probably been confused and frustrated with the what you've found.  For example, simple cremation in Southern California ranges from about $800 to over $4000. This has little or nothing to do with the actual "cost of cremation" but rather how much the provider is "marking up" their services.  The actual cost of the cremation remains fairly constant.

Various factors go into your final price, but in the end all cremation providers do the exact same thing.  Things to watch for when comparing prices are a low original price, and than several additions, including transportation, urn, and paperwork fees.  Be sure to ask for the complete price.

You will find that selecting a cremation provider not associated with a funeral establishment is less expensive. With the movement from burial to cremation, many funeral establishments have had to continually raise their overall pricing to maintain their facilities, Thus, a cremation provider who operates out of a smaller facility, or is even internet based, provides the same quality services at a much lower cost

Generally the cost of arranging a cremation will be less than a burial.  

The fees associated with cremation will usually include:
- Initial transferring of the body to Cremation
- Caring for the body prior to cremation
- Preparing the death certificate and permits
- Coordination with the local medical examiner/coroner
​- Administrative assistance for communication with the responsible parties
- A cremation container made of approved materials, in which the body is placed for cremation
- The cremation itself 
- Basic Plastic Urn or as selected
- Cremation will take place after receiving a California Disposition Permit
- California Disposition (Cremation) Permit
- California Cremation Regulatory Fee

There are firms that may not mention all of the prices when you are shopping, such as transportation,  permits, weight restrictions, cremation container, and basic urn.

If you have been searching for funeral prices, you have probably been confused and frustrated with the results.  It is best to decide what type of services you are thinking of, and even better to be educated before selecting your provider.

Traditional funeral services can be anything from Immediate Burial at a cemetery with a memorial service later, to a Graveside Service at a cemetery, to a Funeral Service at a church or chapel with burial following at a cemetery.  In addition, a preparation for an open casket viewing the evening before or at the funeral should be discussed. 

The average cost for a funeral, including embalming, viewing and services average about $4,780.  In addition, you must consider the cost of a casket, cemetery plot, grave liner and marker, which can add thousands to the bill.

FUNERAL DIRECTOR FEES
These costs will vary by funeral director both in price and exactly what is covered however here are some of the typical inclusions. Make sure you check with your chosen funeral provider exactly what is covered by their fees.

PROFESSIONAL FEES
This is the cost for funeral director's time when planning, organizing and conducting a funeral. This can include the following.

- Arrange and co-ordinate the Funeral Service
- Organizing relevant administration and legal documents such as death    certificates, doctors certificates, burial and cremation orders
- Assist with the organization of music, singers, organist etc.
- Care for, and preparation of, the deceased
- Attend and conduct the funeral service
- Liaise with clergy, cemeteries / crematoria, florists, newspapers etc.
- Help with preplanning a funeral 

FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
This is the cost or hiring venues and staff for the funeral as well as use of facilities involved with caring for the deceased. This may include items such as: 
- Mortuary fees for the care of the body
- Refreshment & catering for the event
- Chapel hire fees
- Viewing room hire and staff 

TRANSPORTATION
The funeral director will also help arrange transport of the deceased.

That may include:
- Transfer of the deceased from place of death
- Hearse on day of funeral
- Transfer from the funeral home to crematorium, cemetery or memorial park 
 

Funeral director fees may include more or less than this and will vary depending on staff involved and what sort of funeral you wish to plan. There may be additional cost for example if work is required on a weekend or outside of business hours. Regardless of how much you pay, all funeral directors will treat everyone involved with the utmost respect and care.