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.
In fact, you can arrange a simple, direct cremation in San Diego for just $995.
We have teamed with a local affordable cremation provider in San Diego to offer families simple and affordable cremation options.
Why choose cremation services in San Diego?
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 on its own.
A cremation can offer a more flexible alternative that can accommodate families who have moved from their home state or when a funeral cannot be held straight away. Cremation also offers a greater range of personalization options, a whole array of ash-scattering ceremony possibilities, and various cremation artifact products.
Visit our Complete Guide to Cremation to learn more about every step of the cremation process, cremation regulations, services, and costs.
What cremation service options are available to me?
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 variances around these three main options, such as a private viewing before the cremation, an observed cremation, or a graveside interment of a cremation urn.
How much does a cremation cost in San Diego, CA?
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 with a memorial service will cost is $5,415*.
The true cost will depend on the length of service held and what kind of casket you purchase or rent.
Direct cremation services in San Diego, CA
If you are working to 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, if requested, can be delivered or 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 San Diego at (619) 268-1962, who offers a complete direct cremation package for just $995.
How do I choose a cremation services provider in San Diego?
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. This is why we conducted cremation comparison surveys to select an affordable provider to represent DFS Memorials in San Diego.
Comparing cremation costs in San Diego, 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 (GPL) if you request cremation price information, either in person or by phone.
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 after 48 hours?
Death certificates cost $21.00 each. You should also note that the county coroner may charge a fee if he is required to sign the death certificate.
What are the legal requirements I need to know about arranging a cremation in San Diego?
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.
In California, there is a mandatory wait period after death before cremation can proceed, 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.
How do I preplan a simple cremation in San Diego?
Advance planning can help ensure you get the most appropriate services provider for your needs and save your surviving family the financial and emotional burden at the time of death.
You can easily preplan a simple cremation online or over the phone. Cremation plans start at $995. There are various payment terms and plans available to suit your needs.
There are various options available to you for planning, so consult with your preferred service provider. Call your local DFS Memorials provider now at (619) 268-1962 to discuss preplanning options.
What can we do with the cremated remains?
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, to name a few. Check out this section on Memorialization 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, and this can vary from county to county.
You would need to inquire with the San Diego County Social Services Department to find out if any assistance is available. In these cases, often the most basic of funeral services will be supported, with limited control over what happens.
A low-cost direct cremation in San Diego, arranged through a budget provider, can be arranged for $995.
San Diego Health & Human Services Agency. Contact: (858) 694-3900
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, plus they may charge a transportation fee. So all in all, they do still recoup their costs.
How do I obtain a copy of a death certificate?
You can obtain copies of a death certificate from the Vital Records office at:
HHSA Office of Vital Records
3851 Rosecrans Street. Suite 802
San Diego, CA 92110
What if the deceased is at the Medical Examiner’s?
If the death was unnatural, suspicious, or the result of a crime, the deceased may be taken to the Coroner. The coroner will need to determine the cause of death to issue the death certificate.
Once this occurs, the body can be released to a licensed funeral director. You will need to employ the services of a licensed funeral director immediately, as he/she can liaise with the coroner to arrange for the release of the deceased as soon as possible.
If you have any further questions about arranging a funeral or cremation in San Diego, please call your local DFS Memorials provider at (619) 268-1962.
*Prices obtained from online funeral price comparison
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.
