Affordable Cremation Costs in Denver, Colorado $995
If a death has just occurred, please call (800) 548-7310 for immediate help. Although we are currently finalizing a designated affordable provider for this area, our team can quickly assist & direct you to immediate assistance. If a death has not yet occurred, or you are preplanning, please complete the form below. We will be in touch with you.
Direct Cremation in Denver, Colorado: Simple, Dignified & Only $995
Losing a loved one in the “Mile High City”—from the historic blocks of Five Points and the Highlands to the vibrant Art District on Santa Fe or the quiet suburbs of Cherry Creek—is a deeply personal journey. During this difficult time, making final arrangements shouldn’t add financial burden or complex bureaucracy to your grief. At DFS Memorials, we specialize exclusively in direct cremation services for families throughout Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Thornton, and the surrounding Front Range area. We provide a respectful, professional, and transparent alternative to the high-pressure sales and inflated overhead costs often found at traditional neighborhood funeral homes. Our focus is on the core of what you need: a dignified, simple cremation that honors your loved one’s memory without the unnecessary expenses of embalming, expensive caskets, or formal viewing rooms.
We understand that Denver families value both our city’s independent spirit and the need for straightforward, honest service. By choosing direct cremation, you are opting for the most cost-effective and flexible method of disposition available in Colorado today. This approach gives you the freedom to plan a personal memorial or “celebration of life” on your own terms—whether that’s a tribute overlooking Red Rocks, a family gathering near City Park, or a private service at a local venue after the remains are returned to you. We handle all the Colorado-specific legalities with the utmost care so you can focus on your family.
What is Included in Our $995.00 Denver Direct Cremation Package?
Our transparent, flat-rate price is designed to be all-inclusive for the professional services required for a standard direct cremation in the Denver metro area:
-
Professional Transportation: Dignified removal and transport of your loved one from any Denver hospital, hospice, or medical facility.
-
Legal Paperwork & Filing: We handle the electronic filing of the death certificate and coordinate necessary authorizations with the local health department.
-
Respectful Sheltering: Climate-controlled care of the deceased during the processing of legal permits (as required by Colorado law for dispositions not occurring within 24 hours).
-
The Cremation Process: The actual cremation performed at a licensed, high-standard local facility.
-
Basic Return of Remains: A simple utility urn for the dignified return of your loved one’s cremated remains.
Direct Cremation Cost Comparison: Denver, CO
To help you make an informed choice for your family, we have compared our affordable flat-rate fee with those of other providers serving the Denver area. While many traditional homes in the region charge significantly more for the same basic service, our local logistics allow us to keep costs accessible.
| Local Provider | Direct Cremation Price |
| DFS Memorials Denver | $995 |
| Mile High Mortuary & Cremation | $1,095 |
| Tulip Cremation | $1,195 |
| Blake Funeral & Cremation Services | $1,295 |
| Neptune Society – Denver | $2,200 – $2,800+ |
Note: Competitor prices are based on recent publicly available General Price Lists and may vary based on specific county permit fees and third-party crematory charges.
The low-cost cremation provider featured for Denver, Colorado is
After Services
Serving All Denver Neighborhoods & Landmarks with affordable Direct Cremations
From the iconic Union Station and Coors Field to the historic charm of Washington Park and the residential streets of Stapleton/Central Park, we provide prompt service to every corner of the city. Our team is intimately familiar with the local streets and diverse neighborhoods that define Denver:
-
Capitol Hill and Cheesman Park
-
The Highlands and Sloan’s Lake
-
Five Points and RiNo (River North Art District)
-
Cherry Creek and Wash Park
-
University Hills and Wellshire
-
Stapleton/Central Park and Park Hill
Local Medical Infrastructure & Logistics
We coordinate daily with the Front Range’s premier medical institutions to ensure a seamless and respectful transition for your loved one into our care.
Major Denver Area Hospitals
-
Denver Health: 777 Bannock St, Denver, CO 80204 | (303) 436-6000
-
St. Joseph Hospital: 1375 E 19th Ave, Denver, CO 80218 | (303) 812-2000
-
Rose Medical Center: 4567 E 9th Ave, Denver, CO 80220 | (303) 320-2121
-
Porter Adventist Hospital: 2525 S Downing St, Denver, CO 80210 | (303) 778-1955
-
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital (Anschutz): Aurora, CO | (720) 848-0000
Local Hospice Providers
If your loved one is under the care of Denver Hospice, Compassus, or Mount Evans Home Health & Hospice, we coordinate directly with their staff to manage release protocols immediately upon their passing.
Denver The Jurisdictional Link: Colorado & Denver County Requirements
Direct cremation in Denver is governed by Colorado State Law and the requirements of the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner.
-
Medical Examiner: We coordinate authorizations through the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner (601 Bannock St) for any cases under their jurisdiction.
-
24-Hour Rule: Per Colo. Rev. Stat. § 12-135-106, human remains must be cremated, buried, or refrigerated within 24 hours of taking custody.
-
Disposition Authorization: Colorado requires a “Cremation Permit” (Authorization for Final Disposition) before the process can begin.
-
Death Certificates: Certified copies of the death certificate in Denver are $25.00 for the first copy and $20.00 for additional copies (Effective Jan 1, 2026).
Community Support & Grief Resources
You do not have to navigate your grief alone. Denver offers dedicated local organizations to support you and your family:
-
Judi’s House: Providing research-based grief support to children and families in the Denver area.
-
The Denver Hospice – Footprints: Offering comprehensive grief support services and community workshops.
-
Angel Eyes: Supporting families in Colorado who have experienced the sudden, unexpected death of an infant or toddler.
Ready to Assist 24/7
Our local Denver partner is available at any hour to provide the support and clarity you need during this difficult time. We serve all area zip codes, including 80202, 80203, 80204, 80205, 80206, 80209, 80210, 80218, and 80220.
CALL NOW FOR 24/7 ASSISTANCE: (720) 821-4151
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does direct cremation cost in Denver, Colorado?
Direct cremation in Denver starts at $995 through DFS Memorials, partnering with After Services — well below local competitors including Mile High Mortuary & Cremation at $1,095, Tulip Cremation at $1,195, Blake Funeral & Cremation Services at $1,295, and Neptune Society Denver at $2,200 to $2,800 or more. The flat-rate price covers all professional services for a standard direct cremation across Denver County and the Front Range with no hidden add-ons.
What is included in the $995 direct cremation package in Denver?
The package includes professional transportation from any Denver hospital, hospice, or medical facility, electronic filing of the death certificate and all authorizations with the local health department and Denver Office of the Medical Examiner, climate-controlled sheltering during the processing of legal permits, the cremation at a licensed local facility, and return of remains in a basic utility urn. Certified death certificates in Denver are $25.00 for the first copy and $20.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time — a third-party charge separate from the base service price.
Does Colorado charge a cremation permit fee in Denver?
Yes. Colorado requires an Authorization for Final Disposition — commonly called the Cremation Permit — to be issued before any cremation can take place. For deaths under jurisdictional review, authorization must also be obtained through the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner at 601 Bannock Street. After Services coordinates all permits and Medical Examiner authorizations on the family’s behalf, with third-party fees passed through at cost.
How long is the waiting period before cremation in Denver, Colorado?
Colorado law requires that human remains be cremated, buried, or refrigerated within 24 hours of a funeral establishment taking custody. There is no extended mandatory waiting period before cremation can occur — once the death certificate is filed, the Cremation Permit is issued, and any required Medical Examiner authorization is obtained, the cremation can proceed. During this period After Services provides secure, climate-controlled refrigerated sheltering as required.
Can DFS Memorials collect from hospitals across Denver?
Yes. After Services coordinates collection from major hospitals throughout the Denver metro area including Denver Health on Bannock Street, St. Joseph Hospital on East 19th Avenue, Rose Medical Center on East 9th Avenue, Porter Adventist Hospital on South Downing Street, and UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora. We also coordinate directly with local hospice providers including The Denver Hospice, Compassus, and Mount Evans Home Health & Hospice for immediate decedent release upon passing.
Where can Denver families scatter cremated remains?
Colorado has no state law specifically prohibiting the scattering of cremated remains on private land with the property owner’s permission. Many Denver families choose meaningful locations such as the alpine meadows and trails of Rocky Mountain National Park, which permits scattering with a free permit from the National Park Service, or private family land in the foothills and high country. Scattering within Denver city parks including City Park, Cheesman Park, or Washington Park falls under Denver Parks and Recreation jurisdiction and requires prior approval. Scattering at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, on Mount Blue Sky, or in the surrounding national forests requires permission from the relevant land management authority. Ocean scattering is not applicable to Colorado, but inland scattering on private high-country land remains one of the most beloved Front Range traditions.
Can cremated remains be placed in a niche, columbarium, or buried in Denver?
Yes — Denver has exceptional options for permanent memorialization. Fairmount Cemetery on Quebec Street, established in 1890 and home to the Ivy Chapel and the second-oldest cemetery in the city, offers columbarium niches, cremation gardens, and burial in a setting of extraordinary civic heritage. Riverside Cemetery on East 52nd Avenue, Denver’s oldest operating cemetery, also provides cremation interment in a deeply historic setting. Crown Hill Cemetery in Wheat Ridge, Mount Olivet Cemetery, and Olinger Highland Mortuary also offer columbarium and cremation burial options. Fort Logan National Cemetery in southwest Denver offers free inurnment for eligible veterans and their dependents and is one of the most meaningful resting places in the Rocky Mountain region. A niche or columbarium provides a permanent, visitable memorial — a meaningful complement to the simplicity of direct cremation.
What grief support resources are available for Denver families?
Denver has several outstanding local bereavement organizations. Judi’s House in Aurora is a beloved Front Range non-profit providing research-based grief support to children and families who have experienced the death of a loved one, and is one of the most respected children’s grief organizations in the Mountain West. The Denver Hospice operates Footprints, a comprehensive grief support program offering community workshops, support groups, and counseling open to anyone in the Denver community regardless of whether their loved one was in Denver Hospice’s care. Heartbeat of Colorado, formerly Angel Eyes, supports Colorado families who have experienced the sudden unexpected death of an infant or toddler, and the Compassionate Friends Denver Chapter provides peer support for families after the death of a child, sibling, or grandchild as part of a long-established national network.