If you have an immediate or imminent need for a simple, low-cost cremation in Santa Monica, then we can help you arrange everything for one low price of $1,045.
Call your local DFS Memorials’ affordable cremation service provider NOW.
Our attitudes to death and funerals are changing, and many families are finding that cremation offers a more simple and affordable option.
More families are deciding they want a simple, “no fuss” option, one that can be delivered at a low cost.
A direct cremation package can help you arrange a low-cost funeral. Direct cremation takes care of the immediate disposition of the deceased, and once the cremated remains are available, a memorial or ash-scattering service can be conducted.
Why should you pay more than this when you can take care of everything for $1,045 and are dealing with a family-owned funeral business?
What is included in the $1,045 Simple Cremation Package in Santa Monica?
Our simple cremation service includes the following:
- Collection of the deceased from the place of death
- Transfer to the funeral facility*
- Shelter of the deceased
- Filing of the death certificate and cremation permit
- A cardboard cremation container for the cremation process
- The cremation process
- Return of the cremated remains in a temporary cremation urn
Are there any extra costs?
The only additional fees are county fees, which are subject to change and payable to Los Angeles County to facilitate the cremation proceeding. Death certificate fees in California are $21.00 each.
Can we still have a funeral service if we arrange a direct cremation?
Yes, of course. You can arrange a memorial service once you have the cremated remains returned. A memorial service is a type of funeral service where the deceased’s body is not present.
You can hold a memorial service with or without the cremation urn present. A memorial funeral service can also be an ash scattering ceremony, candlelit vigil, or tribute.
We have some useful resources to help you plan and make your own memorial tributes in our Memorialization section.
How to compare cremation costs in Santa Monica, CA
As cremation is becoming a popular choice for Los Angeles County residents, several cremation service providers serve the area. The cost of a cremation can vary significantly for the same service, so it is wise to compare cremation prices between a few providers to ensure you benefit from a value-for-money cremation service package.
According to Funeralocity (2025), the average cost of a cremation memorial service in Santa Monica is $5,415, and the average cost of a direct cremation is $1,580.
For example, the DFS Memorials’ price for an immediate need direct cremation is $1,045, and the Neptune Society charges $1,972 for a direct cremation pre-need package. So you can see how the cost for the same service can vary.
It is essential to check that a direct cremation package includes everything. Some cremation providers will add additional charges to what may appear as a discount price!!
A cremation significantly reduces funeral costs. According to Funeralocity, the average price of a funeral in Santa Monica is $6,889 (excluding any cemetery costs).
How can you save money when arranging a simple cremation service in Santa Monica?
Direct cremation is the most economical means of disposition. A direct cremation can be conducted for $1,045 complete in Santa Monica, making this a very affordable funeral option.
If you need to keep funeral costs down, then a simple cremation arranged through a cremation provider is your lowest-cost cremation option in Santa Monica, CA. You can then arrange your own memorial services once you have the cremated remains returned. This significantly cuts down on funeral expenses.
What do I need to know about arranging a cremation? What are the legal requirements?
A cremation authorization form must be signed by the legal next of kin for a cremation to proceed. If there are multiple siblings, all must sign and agree for a cremation to be carried out. There is a 24-hour mandatory wait period after death before the cremation can go ahead.
What help is there with cremation costs?
If qualifying for Social Security, you may be entitled to the lump sum death benefit payment of $255. The funeral director will generally assist you with submitting the claim to Social Security. Of course, many people use life insurance policies to offset funeral costs, but with a direct cremation, the funeral provider will require payment upfront.
There is very limited public assistance support for funeral costs, and this can vary by county. You need to contact the Los Angeles county department for public and social services if you require financial assistance with funeral expenses.
They can inform you if there is any public aid you qualify for. A simple, direct cremation is the most economical means to conduct a simple funeral service if funds are limited.
Check out our Guide to Cremation Costs in California for more information about Cremation Services.
How do I obtain a copy of a death certificate?
You can obtain copies of a death certificate from the Vital Records office at 12400 E Imperial Hwy, 2nd Fl, #2207 Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Los Angeles, CA 90053-0195 Phone: 562-462-2133
What happens if the deceased is taken to the Coroner’s Office?
If there were circumstances surrounding the death that led to the deceased being taken to the County Coroner’s office, 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.
As funeral directors are familiar with the process, and the body is released with a death certificate & cremation permit, it is generally easy to maintain a low cost to offer a direct cremation service for an individual in the care of the Medical Examiner. The County Coroner’s office is at 1104 North Mission Road, Los Angeles, California, 90033
Please contact your local DFS Memorials cremation services provider at (323) 798-9055 with any further questions or to make immediate arrangements for a low-cost cremation service.
*Cost data obtained from funeral price comparison website 2025
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.
