Click here to view Cremation prices by city in California.
California is currently ranked as the state in the U.S. with the highest population, and cremation is a popular choice for Californians. So, the cremation market is competitive.
Below, we have identified some of California’s best-value direct cremation service packages.
| CITY | CALL NOW | DIRECT CREMATION PRICE |
| Los Angeles | (323) 798-9055 | $925 |
| San Francisco | (415) 286-9121 | $1,195 |
| San Diego | (619) 268-1962 | $1,195 |
| Sacramento | (916) 229-6142 | $1,195 |
| Fresno | (559) 241-8161 | $1,195 |
Direct cremation service packages can be arranged for between $925 and $1,195 throughout California. Read on to learn more about cremation service options and costs.
Call your local location below, or visit DFS Memorials California to find your nearest location and cremation price and be immediately connected to your local provider.
It is apparent that cremation is a preferred alternative to burial for families across the West Coast. How has this affected the funeral industry in California? More importantly, has this made cremation a more affordable option for Californians?
The average traditional burial funeral service in California can cost $10,000 or more, whereas the average price for a cremation service is between $600 and $3,000. Thus, cremation services offer a more affordable and flexible alternative to traditional funeral services.
How much does cremation cost in Los Angeles?
As mentioned above, cremations can cost between $925 and $3,000. This can depend on the type of cremation service and the cremation service provider chosen. A direct cremation is the cheapest option.
Call (323) 798-9055
Direct Cremation $925 – Los Angeles
Online sources quote that in LA, the average cost for a cremation memorial service is $5,278*, and the average cost for a direct cremation is $1,656*.
In the Greater Los Angeles area, a direct cremation service can be conducted for as little as $925. A direct cremation is a basic cremation without any ceremony or services conducted by the funeral home or mortuary. The deceased is collected directly from the place of death and transported to the funeral home or crematory. The cremation is conducted, and the cremated remains are then returned to the family.
How do cremation prices compare in the Bay Area, CA?
The Bay Area, including San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, and Stockton, compares very similarly to LA, with cremation prices ranging from around $1,000 to $3,300. Marin County has one of the highest cremation rates in the country, and cremation is undoubtedly a popular choice for many Bay Area residents.
Several cremation companies have chosen to focus on the demand for simple and low-cost direct cremation and offer arrangements without even needing to visit a funeral home. So, several direct cremation providers compete for this affordable cremation market and provide direct cremation services for around $1,200.
Call (415) 286-9121
Direct Cremation $1,195
What can you expect to pay for cremation in Sacramento, CA?
The average cost for a direct cremation in Sacramento is $1,613*, although again, cremation providers are offering lower-cost direct cremation. The best price for affordable direct cremation in Sacramento is around $1,195.
Call (916) 229-6142
Direct Cremation $1,195
Cremation costs in Northern California.
The basic cost rises somewhat in Northern California. A simple direct cremation service will cost around $1,200 in Redding and around $1,400 in Chico.
Direct cremation in Southern California.
San Diego has a high cremation rate and a low direct cremation price. The average price for a direct cremation is $1,374*. As the cremation market is competitive in San Diego, several funeral homes offer affordable cremation packages.
Call (619) 268-1962
Direct Cremation $1,195 in San Diego
Where is the cheapest place to be cremated in California?
Southern California proves to be the cheapest place to be cremated. In Los Angeles and San Diego, direct cremation services are available for between $925 – $1,000. Since both these cities have the largest populations in California, there will be growing interest from funeral service providers to capture more of the cremation market as the cremation rate continues to climb.
So, the cremation market may become even more competitive and drive prices lower.
What laws govern cremation services in California?
Each state has a funeral licensing body. It is their responsibility to ensure that state laws pertaining to the disposition of a body are correctly implemented and to conduct inspections and licensed establishments.
Before cremation can be performed, a ‘Declaration for Disposition of Cremated Remains Form’ must be legally signed. The legal immediate next-of-kin must sign this, or if you are preplanning, you can sign the form for yourself.
This form is a written authorization for the cremation to proceed. A contract with the cremation service provider should also specify the location and time of disposition and an agreement to pay the cost of the cremation service.
The funeral director must obtain a ‘Permit for Disposition of Human Remains VS 9’ from the county health department, which is commonly referred to as a cremation permit. Once all the legal paperwork is completed, the cremation process can proceed.
According to California law, a casket is not required for cremation, but a ‘combustible cremation container’ must be used.
How long does cremation take in California?
A cremation can proceed when all the required legal paperwork and permits are authorized and completed. First, the death certificate must be obtained. How long this takes depends on the doctor signing the death certificate and the nature of the cause.
Once a death certificate is obtained and the Cremation Authorization Form is in order, the funeral director can obtain the permit to cremate from the county.
Generally, this all takes a few days, and the cremated remains should be available for you to collect within 7 to 10 days after the deceased is taken into the care of the cremation services provider.
Can you deal directly with a crematory in California?
In California, using a funeral home is not required by law. Therefore, if you choose, you can deal directly with a crematory to handle the cremation. If you are not using the services of a funeral director, you would need to apply for and file the death certificate and obtain the Permit for Disposition from the county registrar.
Arranging a direct cremation & conducting a family memorial or ash-scattering in California
More families are opting to choose direct cremation and then perform their own memorial service. This is a significant way to make death care affordable and personalized. Once the funeral home has completed the direct cremation and the family has returned the ashes, a memorial can be organized at an appropriate and meaningful time and place.
All this can be arranged at a fraction of the cost of a cremation funeral or a burial funeral with a funeral home.
Visit our Guide to Scattering Cremated Remains or our Memorialization and Cremation Tribute Ideas to learn more.
What is the cost of an ash-scattering at sea off the coast of California?
California has an expansive coastline and, therefore, attracts many residents who wish to perform a scattering of cremated remains at the coast or in the Pacific Ocean. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires a sea scattering to be performed three nautical miles out at sea.
There are numerous charter services from Southern and Central California. The cost for a sea scattering will vary, depending on whether it is accompanied or unaccompanied. Unaccompanied scattering can start at around $200, especially if offered as an ‘add-on’ service by your cremation provider. Charters for groups to go out to conduct a sea scattering ceremony will again vary, depending on the size of the boat, people attending, and how many hours at sea are requested.
What happens if you cannot afford a cremation in California?
Sadly, we are entering an era of ‘funeral poverty’ where too many families find themselves unprepared for funeral expenses. Counties generally have an obligation to cover the costs for indigent dispositions. However, there is very limited financial assistance for low-income people or simply living paycheck to paycheck.
A low-cost direct cremation is the most inexpensive option, but most cremation providers will require payment in full before they will collect the deceased and transfer him or her into their care.
If you have any further questions about cremation services in California, call your nearest DFS Memorials affordable cremation provider, who will be happy to assist you.
Sources:
The cremation rate in California
*Prices obtained from online funeral price survey website 2024
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.
