Our Story

DFS Memorials: Why we care

In the realm of end-of-life services, the landscape has been traditionally dominated by expensive, elaborate funeral processes that many families find overwhelming both emotionally and financially.

DFS Memorials has carved a niche by focusing on simplicity, affordability, and dignity in funeral and cremation services. We care about helping families find services they can afford.

Here’s a look at the story of DFS Memorials.

Cremation Memorial Service Different Options

In the beginning…

DFS Memorials was founded in 2012 by a husband-and-wife team running US Funerals Online. Their mission was to alter the funeral industry’s landscape by offering bereaved families a more economical alternative to traditional funeral services.

People visiting US Funerals Online were increasingly looking for less extravagant, more cost-effective ways to honor their loved ones without the financial strain often accompanying traditional ceremonies. Families researching funeral planning began searching more consistently for affordable pricing options.

This led Nicholas and Sara to build the DFS Memorials website and network with local funeral businesses that offered lower-cost services to help families quickly find the cremation services they needed.

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The launch of DFS Memorials & continued growth

The website launched in January 2012 with just inquiry forms for our team to help families searching for cremation prices. It soon became clear there was significant demand, so Nicholas and Sara set about recruiting affordable cremation providers to work with.

As of January 2025, DFS Memorials works with around 80+ funeral homes in 41 States and 3 Provinces. We also endeavor to assist any family who contact us for help finding an affordable cremation service.

You can find a local provider and cremation pricing from our Local Provider Search, or click below to learn more about becoming a DFS Provider.

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DFS Memorial’s impact on the Funeral Industry since 2012

DFS Memorials have contributed to a broader conversation about the costs associated with end-of-life services. When DFS launched, there was still some denial that cremation and low costs were the direction the funeral sector was taking. Indeed, back then, the Kentucky Funeral Board advised its members that cremation was just a ”fad.”

The network’s growth and the families served within the last 13 years clearly demonstrate funeral consumers’ need for more affordable and simple alternatives.

Our approach challenged the status quo by:

Promoting Cost Awareness:

By clearly displaying costs, DFS Memorials educates consumers about what can be considered reasonable pricing for funeral services, thus empowering families with information during a vulnerable time.

Encouraging Simplicity:

Our success in promoting direct cremation has perhaps influenced a sector-wide shift towards more straightforward, less costly funeral options, reflecting changing societal views on death and memorialization.

We stand out to serve

DFS Memorials remains a private, family-run company, so we are only answerable to the families we aim to serve. Our own family experience of a loss and over-expensive funeral led us on this mission over 20 years ago.

We hope families continue to find help from us, and better access to affordable cremation services continues as the Internet and companies like us de-mystify death care costs.