More families today are choosing cremation as their preferred funeral choice. It can be significantly more affordable than a burial service and offers greater flexibility. California has a higher cremation rate than most states, with some counties reaching 80%.
What factors should I consider when choosing a cremation?
You need to consider what kind of cremation service you want and what type of cremation provider you wish to select. There are various cremation service options, from a simple direct cremation to a full traditional funeral service followed by cremation.
You need to consider whether you wish to employ the services of a funeral home, deal directly with a crematory and cremation company, or a cremation society. As cremation is so popular in Sacramento, several cremation companies specialize in cremation only.
How do I select a cremation service provider in Sacramento?
Before committing to a cremation services provider, it is always wise to research and compare options. Ask family and friends about their experiences, or do some research online or by phone. As with any other sector, there is the ‘good, the bad, and the ugly.’
The services included in a cremation service package, and the level of service you receive, can vary depending on who you deal with. Costs for a cremation service can also differ significantly, even for the exact same service.
What are my different cremation services in Sacramento, CA?
There are 3 main types of cremation service options. A cremation funeral – where the funeral service is held with the deceased present, and a cremation is conducted after the service.
A cremation memorial – where the cremation is conducted before a memorial service is held. This can occur with or without the cremated remains present and often takes the form of an ash scattering ceremony.
Alternatively, there is a direct cremation – this is where the deceased is cremated with no services, and the remains are returned to the family.
There are some variations around these three main options, such as a private viewing before the cremation, an observed cremation, or a graveside interment of the cremation urn.
How much does a cremation service cost in Sacramento?
This is a question that is often asked, and the only true answer is that it can vary. It depends on the type of cremation service you select. A direct cremation is the least expensive option, costing just $1,346 in Sacramento.
A cremation with a memorial is likely to cost around $2,500, and a full funeral with cremation afterward will cost between $3,000 and $5,000, depending on the services and products selected.
Direct cremation services in Sacramento, CA
If you are working to a budget for your funeral expenses, you may wish to consider a direct cremation in Sacramento. A direct cremation is the cheapest cremation option.
The funeral services provider handles the immediate disposition of the deceased, but no viewing or services are held.
The deceased is cremated in a simple cremation container, and then the cremated remains are made available for the family to collect (or delivered/mailed).
A direct cremation can be arranged online or by phone, eliminating the need for you to visit a funeral home.
For your best price on a direct cremation, contact your DFS Memorials provider in Sacramento, who offers a complete direct cremation package for just $1,346.
Call now at (916) 229-6142 for immediate assistance
What legal requirements do I need to know about arranging a cremation in Sacramento?
You need to be aware of a few legal requirements if you are considering cremation. Firstly, the legal next-of-kin must all sign the ‘Cremation Authorization Form’ before a cremation can proceed.
Some states require a 24-48 hour wait period after death before cremation can proceed. It can generally take this amount of time to get all the documentation in order and obtain a cremation permit from the coroner.
The deceased will be refrigerated during this period and for as long as required.
However, please note that many cremation packages only include refrigeration for up to 5 days and will charge a daily rate thereafter.
Death certificates cost $21.00 each. This is often considered a ‘cash advance’ item and not included in a quoted cremation price. The funeral director will generally obtain the death certificates on your behalf.
Can I preplan a basic cremation? Are there affordable payment plans?
Yes, you can prearrange a cremation. Advance planning can help ensure you get the most appropriate service provider for your needs and save the surviving family from the financial and emotional burden at the time of death.
There are various options available to you for planning, so consult with your preferred service provider.
What can we do with the cremated remains?
As I mentioned earlier, there is versatility in what you can do with cremated remains. You can inter a cremation urn in a cemetery plot or niche, keep an urn at home, scatter the remains, or create a cremation artifact such as a cremation diamond, glass paperweight, bird bath, or memorial reef ball.
Visit our Complete Guide to Scattering Cremated Remains to learn more.
The deceased had no life insurance – is there any help with cremation costs?
Sadly, there is little financial aid that supports those families who find themselves struggling with funeral costs. Most counties have a budget for indigent funerals, but this is generally reserved for individuals who are truly indigent.
Some counties do have limited funds to help low-income families with cremation costs, but this can vary from county to county.
You would need to inquire with the Sacramento County Human Services Department to find out if any assistance is available. In these cases, the most basic funeral services will often be supported, with limited control over what happens.
What is “no-cost cremation”?
Some funeral homes in California now offer this option. This refers to whole body donation, whereby after the donation is complete, the remains are cremated (free of charge) and then returned to the family or scattered.
Generally, funeral homes can receive a referral fee from the whole-body donation organization and may charge a transportation fee.
What do I do if I cannot afford a cremation?
Sadly, little state or county assistance helps a family pay for a cremation. The county may be obligated to pay for indigent cremations, but in these cases, they are often unclaimed remains where there is no family.
You may wish to contact Sacramento Human Services to inquire about available assistance. Still, in reality, it may require the family to raise the basic funds to conduct a direct cremation.
Sacramento County Coroner is located at 4800 Broadway, Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95820
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Sara Marsden-Ille is a writer and researcher specialising in the death care industry. With more than 15 years covering end-of-life services, funeral trends, and consumer funeral planning, she writes for DFS Memorials and US Funerals Online to help families make informed decisions.
