Sara Marsden-Ille
Co-founder & Editor — DFS Memorials
Sara Marsden-Ille is the co-founder and editor of DFS Memorials as well as US Funerals Online. She has been writing about funeral planning, consumer rights, and cremation costs since 2003, when US Funerals Online launched — one of the first independent funeral consumer resources in the United States. Sara is responsible for editorial standards across the DFS Memorials network and helps to host the Cremation Nation podcast.
Recent Articles Published
What you need to know about cremation services and costs in California
Click here to view Cremation prices by city in California. California is currently ranked as the state in the United States with the highest population, and cremation is a popular choice among Californians. So, the cremation market is competitive. Below, we have identified some of California's best-value direct cremation service packages. CITYCALL NOWDIRECT CREMATION PRICELos…
December 30, 2025
Why More Families Are Turning to End-of-Life Doulas
As we move into a new year, a quiet but powerful shift is reshaping how Americans approach dying, caregiving, and end-of-life planning. More families than ever—especially seniors, adult children caring for aging parents, and individuals facing life-limiting illnesses—are seeking support from end-of-life doulas, sometimes called death doulas. What was once considered a niche or alternative…
December 29, 2025
Direct cremation cost in San Francisco, CA
Check out our guide to cremation costs in San Francisco. Cremation is not only a popular choice for families in the Bay Area but also an affordable funeral option today. In some counties in California, particularly around the Bay Area, cremation accounts for over 90% of the funerals conducted. California has always been a ‘progressive’…
December 20, 2025
Arranging an affordable cremation service in Daphne, AL
If you need to arrange a simple and affordable cremation, we have put together this guide to help you. In fact, you can arrange a simple, basic cremation for just $1,550. The average cost of a traditional funeral in Daphne is $6,930*, and this does not include cemetery costs, so it is understandable that many families…
December 19, 2025
County-Funded & Low-Income Cremation Services: What Help Is Available for Families in the U.S.?
When Money Is Tight, You Still Have Options When a loved one dies, families are often forced to make funeral decisions quickly—sometimes within days. For families already struggling financially, this can feel overwhelming and frightening. Many people assume that if they cannot afford a traditional funeral, there are no alternatives. That is simply not true.…
December 15, 2025
A guide to arranging a direct cremation in San Diego, CA
Want to know how to arrange a dignified funeral at an affordable cost? We have put together this guide to help you understand how you can save thousands when arranging a funeral. We have teamed up with a local affordable cremation provider in San Diego to offer families simple, affordable cremation options. Why choose cremation services in…
December 13, 2025
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As Featured In
Cremation Association of North America [CANA] – From Tradition to Transformation: Women, Doulas, & the New Shape of Cremation & Death Care.
2/4/2026