More families are opting for affordable, simple cremation services in Maricopa today. A direct cremation service is the least expensive cremation option and can be arranged for just $785.
A direct cremation is a dignified and ‘no fuss’ alternative to traditional funeral services.
Read on to find out more and to have your questions about cremation answered.
What is the average cost of a funeral in Maricopa?
Today, where price comparisons are the norm, we are much more mindful of costs, and people are now realizing they can price-shop for funeral services just as you would for many other services. Why should we not ask how much it costs?
The Internet offers a great tool to research funeral costs from the comfort of your own home. Unfortunately, not all funeral homes have websites or put their prices online, so we will aim to establish some average prices for you in this guide to help inform your decision.
According to a recent survey*, the average cost of a traditional funeral in Maricopa is $6,655. This is for a full traditional funeral service, including a casket, but not including any cemetery costs.
So, how do cremation costs compare in Maricopa?
Cremation offers a much cheaper and more flexible alternative to a traditional burial and can significantly reduce funeral costs. No casket, cemetery plot, or burial vault is required, immediately reducing some of the most expensive purchases related to funeral expenses.
According to a recent survey*, the average cost of a cremation with memorial service in Maricopa is $5,255. However, you CAN save even more by arranging a direct cremation for a fraction of the cost.
Low-cost cremation in Maricopa
Direct cremation is the industry term for a ‘simple cremation’. The funeral home provides only the cremation service. The funeral home provides no ceremony or funeral services. The deceased is collected and cremated, and the remains are returned to the family in a basic urn.
Direct cremation offers families lower-cost funeral services and more control over the time and type of memorial ceremonial services they desire. A memorial service can be held in a place of worship, a community venue, or even outdoors.
A direct cremation is available in Maricopa for just $785. Cremation prices do vary considerably between providers, so it is important to check around and ensure that the cremation price quoted for a low-cost cremation equitably compares. Check exactly what is included.
Death certificates and state filings are often an additional ‘cash advance’ but check that the cremation container and cremation fee are included in any low-cost price advertised. Too often, we have found what appeared to be a low-cost cremation option, only to discover that the hidden charges can bump the price up!
Call (520) 200-7742 now to arrange a direct cremation for just $899 in Maricopa and surrounding areas.
Cash Advance items: A death certificate in Tucson is $20.00 – Pinal County Medical Examiners report fee is $10.00
How do I choose a cremation provider in Maricopa?
With cremation costs in the Maricopa area varying so much, choosing a cremation services provider is not always easy. As cremation becomes more popular, more funeral homes are installing their own crematories, so this can give a family assurance about their loved one’s care.
If you are researching because you do not have a provider in mind or because you need to find the most affordable cremation option in your area – then DFS Memorials can help direct you. We do the research to help save families stress and time. We ONLY work with reputable funeral homes.
How do providers compare in Maricopa?
As already covered, the cost of a direct cremation varies considerably. This can depend on the cremation services provider selected and the type of cremation service chosen. It is always wise to compare prices. A basic direct cremation in Maricopa can be conducted for under $900.
What can you do with the cremated remains?
The options of what you can do with the cremated remains of your loved one are one of the reasons cremation is becoming more popular.
You can, of course, choose to inter the remains in a cemetery plot.
You can inter the remains in a niche or columbarium, or you can keep the ashes at home. Keepsake urns enable you to disperse the ashes between several family members or scatter some and retain a ‘keepsake’ memorial.
Ash scattering is also more common these days, and there are many options for how you can create a befitting ash scattering ceremony.
What happens if the deceased is at the County Medical Examiners?
If the death occurred outside of a medical facility, was an accident, or is unexplained, the body will be transferred to the Medical Examiner’s office. It is the responsibility of the coroner to determine a cause of death before a death certificate can be issued.
You will need to arrange for a funeral home to collect your loved one once the coroner releases the body. Only a licensed funeral director can transport the deceased from the ME’s morgue, and the next of kin will need to sign a release form for the Medical Examiner to release the body into the care of a funeral home.
The Medical Examiner will issue the death certificate and permit to cremate once they release the body. If you have further questions about identifying the body and making arrangements for the transfer of the deceased, you can contact the Office of the Medical Examiner for Maricopa at 602-506-3322.
Alternatively, you can find them at:
Maricopa Medical Examiner
701 W Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85007
How do I prepare if my loved one is in hospice care in Maricopa?
If your loved one is in hospice care and the support staff has advised you to prepare for his or her passing, it can help to have provisional arrangements in place. This is so that when the time comes, the hospice can immediately contact the funeral service provider and arrange the transfer of your loved one into their care.
If you contact a funeral home ahead of time, you can have some of the preparation in place, and this will alleviate some of the stress that comes with having to make arrangements on short notice. This also means the hospice knows who to call, and the authorizations and other legal documentation can be pre-prepared.
Is there any help with cremation costs in Maricopa?
Sadly, we are asked this question all too often these days! With more families struggling financially, it can be crippling to be faced with unexpected funeral expenses. If qualifying, there is a $255 Social Security death benefit payment and benefits for veterans. Each state has its own budget and governance for dealing with indigent funerals, although much funding has been axed in recent years.
You can try contacting your local county, Social, or Human Services to inquire if any financial aid is available locally. This article on ‘How to Pay for a Funeral’ also covers some other ways you can gain support towards funeral costs.
*prices obtained from Funeralocity 2024
I have been researching and writing about the death care industry for the last fifteen years. End of life services and experiences are something most of us choose not to reflect upon until we are suddenly faced with dealing with it. I have been contributing comprehensive and independent resources for families that explain how the funeral industry operates, and the laws that govern funeral practices. Sara writes for US Funerals Online and DFS Memorials LLC, as well as contributing to other forums and publications for the death care industry. I have a BA in Cultural Studies. This helps my analysis of cultural death care rituals, alongside a career background in Business Management. The death care industry is undergoing an epoch of change and this fascinates me.
