This guide aims to answer some key questions about making funeral or cremation arrangements in Oklahoma City, OK. We provide an overview of some legal aspects of making funeral plans specific to Oklahoma funeral laws and what funeral or cremation costs to expect.
The following FAQs about cremation costs and funeral prices in the Oklahoma City area, as well as state funeral laws and other funeral/cremation considerations, have been put together to help you know where to start when arranging a funeral or cremation.
What to do when a death occurs
When a death occurs, your first call will be to select a funeral home to handle funeral arrangements and transfer the deceased into their care. Most deaths occur in a medical facility, where the deceased can be held for a short period in the hospital morgue if necessary.
Give yourself some time to select the right funeral service provider for your needs, and try not to feel rushed to make a decision immediately.
How to choose a funeral home or cremation service provider?
If your loved one had no funeral plan, and you have no prior experience with a funeral home, this will be the first decision to make. There are around 44 funeral service providers in Oklahoma City. Some consideration of your funeral needs can help narrow down suitable funeral homes.
If you want to have a funeral ceremony, the physical location of the funeral home will likely be an important consideration. Also, if you are working toward a specific financial budget for the funeral cost, you will likely want to make funeral price comparisons before selecting a funeral home.
Direct cremation service $945 Call (405) 252-1831
What are the funeral service or cremation service options in Oklahoma City?
With the range of funeral service providers serving the Oklahoma City area, you can arrange anything from a full-service traditional funeral to a simple direct cremation service.
You will need to decide if you want a traditional funeral, something more modern like a life celebration service, or if you want to consider cremation as a more affordable option.
Read on to find out more about direct cremation and how it is your most affordable option.
What is the average cost of a funeral service in Oklahoma City?
According to Funeralocity (2022), the average cost for a traditional adult funeral in the Oklahoma City Metropolitan area is $6,812. This is based on the most commonly selected items for a traditional funeral, including a casket and vault. However, it does not include cemetery costs.
A grave space, a grave marker, and opening/closing the grave can easily cost another $1,500 to $2,500. Therefore, a typical traditional funeral and burial cost is likely at least $9,000.
How much does a cremation cost in Oklahoma City?
Cremation cost is generally more difficult to quote as it will depend on the type of cremation service you opt for. Whether you opt for a cremation with a traditional service or a direct cremation without a service.
A simple cremation service with no ceremony is referred to as a “direct cremation” in the funeral industry.
A direct cremation can be arranged for just $945 in Oklahoma City.
This is the most economical funeral service arrangement available to families. The cost of a simple cremation can, however, still vary between different funeral service providers, with an average cost of $1,905 in the Oklahoma City Metropolitan area.
Cremation is a cheaper alternative to a traditional funeral, but a cremation with a memorial service will still cost upwards of $3,500, with an average cost of around $5,586 in the Oklahoma City Metropolitan area.
Therefore, how much your cremation will cost will largely depend upon what type of cremation service you select and which provider you opt to conduct the service.
It is always a good idea to check what is included in a low-cost direct cremation package to ensure there are no hidden fees. Sometimes, what can appear low-cost can have additional fees added to the full package price.
County fees are generally ‘third-party’ additional charges –such as death certificates and cremation permits. However, some affordable direct cremation packages may include a death certificate and cremation permit fee.
Extra charges that can be incurred on a budget direct cremation are fees for if a residential collection is required if the deceased weighs over 300 pounds and if a pacemaker needs to be removed prior to cremation.
How do I apply for a Death Certificate in Oklahoma City?
Generally, your funeral director will assist you in ordering death certificates for your loved one. However, you can obtain a certified copy of a death certificate from the Vital Records Service at the Department of Health by mail or online.
The cost for the first copy is $20.00, and it is $15.00 for each additional copy.
Who is responsible for paying for a funeral?
If the deceased did not pre-arrange and pre-pay for a funeral plan, then the responsibility for paying for a funeral falls to the immediate next of kin. This can, understandably, be quite a burden for many people, and this is why more seniors today are considering setting up simple cremation arrangements. Pre-planning can be a simple and affordable option, giving families peace of mind for when the time comes.
Be aware that whoever signs the funeral contract with the funeral home is considered legally responsible for the payment of the funeral bill.
If you are interested in pre-arranging a simple cremation plan, contact your local DFS Memorials location at (405) 252-1831.
What happens if the deceased is at the County Medical Examiners?
If the death occurred outside of a medical facility, was an accident, or was 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 Chief Medical Examiner at (405) 239-7141.
Alternatively, you can find them at:
Office the Chief Medical Examiner – Central Office
921 N.E. 23rd Street.
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
How do I prepare if my loved one is in hospice care?
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 preparations in place. 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.
What help with funeral expenses is there for low-income or uninsured families?
This is a common question as more families find themselves struggling to pay for funeral expenses. Unfortunately, there is very limited public or state assistance for funeral costs. The state takes care of any indigent deaths (as is their responsibility). This is done by means of a pauper burial or cremation.
Social Security offers a $255 death benefit payment (if qualifying), and the funeral director will be able to assist you with claiming this.
You may also find it useful to read What are your options on how to pay for a funeral or cremation? It provides more information on how you can raise funds to cover funeral expenses.
What can I legally do with the cremated remains? Laws for scattering ashes in Oklahoma City, OK
In Oklahoma, there are no state laws that restrict the scattering of cremated remains. You can scatter anywhere on private land with the landowner’s consent. If you wish to scatter ashes in uninhabited public rural lands, the general guidance is to scatter at least 100 feet from any road, trail, and body of water or developed facility.
If you wish to scatter ashes in public parklands or a state park, you may need to get a permit. State parks will require that only biodegradable containers or floral tributes be used. They will not allow any memorial marker or shrine to be placed at a scattering site.
Cremated remains are sterile, organic matter and, therefore, pose no threat to the environment, so scattering ashes should be considered a safe practice. Obviously, the thing to consider is that you are scattering the mortal remains of a loved one, and once completed, there is no going back.
Do not rush to scatter ashes. Allow yourself time to be sure of the decision, or alternatively, retain a small amount of the ashes in a keepsake container.
Read our section on Ash Scattering for more guidance about how to scatter and scattering options.
I want to pre-plan a simple cremation. What is the best way to set up a cremation plan in Oklahoma City?
In Oklahoma, pre-plan funeral plans are financed either through a trust fund or an insurance policy. Anyone selling preneed contracts must have obtained a permit from the State Insurance Commissioner according to statute 36 O.S. §6121. You can pre-plan and prepay funeral arrangements either for yourself or a family member.
Aside from entering into a preneed contract with a funeral home, another option is to put aside funds to cover your funeral arrangements.
This can be easily done with a payable-on-death bank account where the beneficiary can quickly withdraw the funds upon death without any need to go through probate.
The most important thing is to ensure that no matter how you make plans, your family is aware of your plans and can access the relevant paperwork at the time of need.
Call the DFS Memorials provider for Oklahoma City at (405) 252-1831 to discuss pre-planning funeral arrangements.
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Arranging a green burial in Oklahoma
In a recent survey, The National Funeral Directors Association discovered that 72% of funeral homes reported an increase in interest in green burial from families. At present, families typically have two options – traditional burial or cremation.
However, a ‘natural’ green burial is less expensive than a traditional burial and more environmentally friendly than a cremation. Typically, a green funeral will cost between $3,000 and $5,000.
There are a few cemeteries in Oklahoma offering green burial options. Details can be found in our Green Burials Directory.
Can I arrange a no-cost cremation in Oklahoma City?
A “no-cost” cremation normally refers to a whole-body donation program where the deceased’s remains are cremated free of charge after the donation. If you wish to donate, you can contact the State Anatomical Board at (405) 271-2424 to find out more about donating or contact the following institutions:
Oklahoma State University’s Center for Health Sciences (918) 561-8446.
The University of Oklahoma Health Science Center (405) 271-2424, ext. # 46295
Do bear in mind that there are restrictions on the acceptance of a donation, and therefore, you should have an alternative option. Not all donations are accepted, and the arrangements and costs can vary between institutions.
For more information on whole body donation, visit our page on Body Donation.
Do I need a casket for a cremation service?
No, there is no requirement (or law) in Oklahoma that stipulates a casket is required for a cremation service. A cremation is usually conducted using a simple reinforced cardboard container. It is, however, possible to rent a casket if you wish to have a service before the cremation. This will help you save on funeral costs, as caskets can be a significant expense for a traditional funeral and burial.
I have questions or concerns about arranging a funeral in Oklahoma City. Where can I find help?
You can contact our DFS Memorials affordable funeral service provider in Oklahoma City with any questions you have. If you have a complaint against a funeral director or a funeral establishment, you should attempt to resolve your complaint directly with the funeral home concerned.
If this is unsuccessful, you can make a formal written complaint to the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors at 4545 N. Lincoln Blvd, Suite 175, Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Lastly, Feel free to contact us at US Funerals Online, and we will try and help you if you have further questions about arranging a funeral or cremation service.
DFS Memorials – Save on Cremation Costs in Oklahoma City, OK
