Do you need to know how to arrange a funeral at an affordable cost? We have put together this short guide to help you understand how you can save thousands when arranging a funeral.
In fact, you can arrange an affordable direct cremation for just $995 in Palo Alto.
The average cost of a traditional funeral in Palo Alto is $5,775*, and this does not include cemetery costs. As a result, many families today are seeking more affordable alternatives.
Cremation is becoming the preferred, more affordable option for conducting a dignified yet simple funeral service at a fraction of the cost of a traditional funeral.
Why choose cremation services in Palo Alto, CA?
Cremation offers an inexpensive and flexible alternative to a burial service. Choosing cremation services can save you 40% to 60% (or sometimes more) on the cost of traditional burial services.
This is because a casket is not required, or embalming (unless required), and there is no immediate need for a cemetery plot or burial vault. Eliminating just these few products and services saves thousands of dollars alone.
A cremation can offer a more flexible alternative that accommodates families who have moved from their home state or when a funeral cannot be held immediately.
Cremation also offers a greater range of personalization options, a whole array of ash-scattering ceremony possibilities, and various cremation artifact products.
What are my different cremation service options?
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 cost in Palo Alto?
The cost of a cremation can vary considerably. This will depend upon the type of cremation service you opt for and the cremation services provider you select.
The average cost of a cremation memorial service is $2,580*, depending on the length of the service and the type of casket you purchase or rent.
A direct cremation package can be conducted for just $995 with DFS Memorials.
Call DFS Memorials now at (650) 209-7212 to arrange an affordable direct cremation in Palo Alto.
Affordable direct cremation services in Palo Alton, CA
If you are working on a budget for your funeral expenses, you may wish to consider a direct cremation. A direct cremation is the cheapest cremation option. The funeral services provider takes care of 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 can be 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 Palo Alto at (650) 209-7212, who offers a complete direct cremation package for just $995.
How do I choose a cremation services provider?
This can sometimes be daunting when there are several funeral homes to choose from. It may help to set clear criteria to select the provider that best suits your needs. The funeral service provider you select can be influenced by the facilities and services they offer, as well as your budget.
As we have highlighted, costs can vary quite significantly between funeral homes for the exact same service. For this reason, we recommend comparing costs before making a decision.
Comparing cremation costs in Palo Alto, CA
All funeral homes are required to have a general price list (GPL), which should itemize all services and charges.
Legally, a funeral home must provide you with a copy of its General Price List if you request cremation price information, either in person or by phone. If they fail to do this, they are breaching the federal ‘funeral rule’ according to FTC rules.
According to funeral price research surveys in Palo Alto, the cost of a direct cremation is $995. However, some cremation providers can arrange a direct cremation for less than this.
When comparing costs and services, check what IS included, especially with a budget direct cremation package. Is a copy of the death certificate included? Is the cremation permit an additional cash advance item or included in the cost? What about if an out-of-hours collection is required? Is there an additional daily refrigeration charge if the cremation does not proceed within a given time frame?
Death certificates cost $21 for the first certificate and $21 for each additional death certificate required. You should also note that the county coroner may charge a fee if they are required to sign the death certificate.
What are the legal requirements for arranging a cremation in Palo Alto?
There are several legal requirements to be aware of if you are considering cremation. Firstly, the legal next-of-kin must all sign the ‘Cremation Authorization Form’ before a cremation can proceed.
In California, there is a mandatory 24-hour wait period after death before cremation can proceed.
Before a cremation can go ahead, the doctor must sign and fill out the cause of death, and the county health department must issue a permit to cremate.
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 and permits are considered ‘cash advance’ items and are not generally included in a quoted cremation price. The funeral director will generally obtain the death certificates on your behalf.
What about arranging a simple cremation plan in Palo Alto, CA?
You can prearrange a simple cremation easily today. You can even create a cremation plan starting from $995 and complete it all online from the comfort of your own couch. However, a planning support representative is always available to discuss your needs.
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 ahead, so consult with your preferred service provider. A pre-arranged direct cremation plan can be preplanned at a low cost to ensure your family does not have the burden of worrying about funeral costs.
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.
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 those 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 should inquire with the Santa Clara County Social Services Agency at 333 West Julian Street, 5th Floor, San Jose, CA. Phone (408) 755-7770 to find out if any assistance is available to you. In these cases, often the most basic of funeral services will be supported, with limited control over what happens.
What is a “no-cost cremation”?
Some funeral homes in Palo Alto 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, plus they may charge a transportation fee.
How do I obtain a copy of a death certificate?
You can obtain copies of a death certificate from the Vital Records Office at Santa Clara County, 70 W Hedding St, 1st Fl, County Gov’t Ctr, East Wing, San Jose, CA 95110, (408)-299-2481
What happens if the deceased is taken to the Coroner’s Office in Santa Clara County?
Suppose there were circumstances surrounding the death that led to the deceased being taken to the County Coroner’s office. In that case, you will need to employ the services of a funeral director as soon as possible to liaise with the Coroner to have the body released into their care. Only a licensed funeral director can collect a body from the Coroner’s morgue.
Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner Office 850 Thornton Way, San Jose, CA 95128 Phone: (408) 793-1900
Hopefully, this guide to arranging an affordable cremation service in Palo Alto has answered some of your questions and helped you understand how to save costs on a cremation. If you would like to read more extensively about cremation planning, please visit the Funeral Resources section on US Funerals Online.
*Prices obtained from CANA & NFDA online funeral and cremation annual price reports
I have been researching and writing about the death care industry for the past fifteen years. End-of-life services and experiences are topics most people avoid thinking about until they must face them. My work provides comprehensive and independent resources for families, explaining the workings of the funeral industry, the laws governing funeral practices, and the death care trends that impact consumers. With a BA in Cultural Studies, I bring a unique perspective to analyzing cultural death care rituals, complemented by a career background in Business Management. The death care industry is undergoing significant changes, which I find fascinating. The shift towards cremation services and the emergence of sustainable alternatives like aquamation and human composting are of particular interest. I am also intrigued by how technology is reshaping the funeral planning process and experience. I write for US Funerals Online and DFS Memorials LLC, and contribute to various forums and publications within the death care industry.
