This guide will help you understand cremation costs in California. We have included a price comparison for cremation services across major cities, practical tips for saving money, and essential information for arranging a cremation service in California.
As more families turn to direct cremation in California as a more affordable and flexible alternative, it’s important to explore the various options available. Deciding on the right cremation service for your needs is a crucial step in planning. Below is a breakdown of affordable direct cremation prices by city in California.
Direct cremation cost comparison in the top 10 cities in California
To help give you a better understanding of how cremation costs can vary considerably, we compiled this table of cremation costs for the major cities in California. It provides a breakdown of the average direct cremation cost and a low-cost direct cremation.
| CITY | Average direct cremation cost* | Affordable Cremation | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $1,655 | $925 | (323) 798-9055 |
| San Diego | $1,374 | $1,195 | (619) 268-1962 |
| San Jose | $1,907 | $1,195 | (408) 214-9896 |
| San Francisco | $1,998 | $1,195 | (415) 286-9121 |
| Fresno | $1,506 | $1,195 | (559) 241-8161 |
| Sacramento | $1,613 | $1,195 | (916) 229-6141 |
| Long Beach | $1,655 | $925 | (323) 798-9055 |
| Oakland | $1,900 | $1,195 | (510) 210-0755 |
| Bakersfield | $1,558 | $1,195 | (661) 206-2123 |
| Anaheim | $1,581 | $925 | (949) 220-2557 |
Now, let’s review what average funeral and cremation costs are and what you should know about associated costs and laws when opting for a cremation service.
What is the average cost of a cremation funeral in California today?
More people are turning to the internet to compare services and products online before buying, so why should it be any different for funerals or cremations?
Traditional full-service funerals are a large expense for anyone, and with more Americans living paycheck to paycheck, this is the case more than ever before.
According to Funeralocity, a Full-Service Cremation Funeral costs an average of $5,414 in California, and this does not include cremation niche, interment, or scattering fees.
Read on to learn more about cremation costs, cremation laws, how they affect cremation arrangements, and how to set up a simple, low-cost cremation plan.
As mentioned above, not many families can afford the expense of a traditional funeral, especially if they are not prepared for it. This is a key reason why direct cremation has grown in popularity in the U.S. in recent years, as more people seek affordable end-of-life alternatives to a traditional funeral service.
When you consider that a direct cremation can be arranged for under $1,000 in some cities in California, it is no surprise that more and more Californians are turning to cremation.
What is the average cost of cremation in California today?
So, we’ve already established that a direct cremation can be arranged for under $1,000 in some areas, but what is the average cost of a cremation in California? This all depends on the type of cremation service you opt for, as a cremation with a memorial service will still cost upwards of $2,300. However, you could pay more for a more elaborate service or less for direct cremation.
Opting for cremation also means eliminating some of the more costly items such as a casket, embalming, a grave liner, and a cemetery plot – this can save you a lot on the full cost of a funeral with burial.
What is the least expensive cremation service?
Direct cremation is your least expensive cremation option. This is when a cremation is simply carried out without a service or ceremony. It is a simple, dignified cremation of the deceased with minimal ‘fuss’ and at a minimal cost.
The cremated remains are returned to the next of kin after everything has been taken care of. A family can hold a memorial service if they wish when they are ready, and this can even be conducted at home for much less.
Are there any extra fees added to a low-cost cremation service package?
The service charge for a direct cremation is listed on the funeral provider’s General Price List. It should include the funeral director’s basic services, the deceased’s collection and transfer, the legal paperwork’s completion, and the cremation. It usually includes a simple cardboard cremation container and a temporary urn.
The funeral director will pay third-party fees to the local county to obtain the death certificate and pay for any permit charges. These fees are added to the direct cremation service fee.
The fee for a death certificate in California is currently $14.00. You may require more than one death certificate, as you will need to send them off to more than one institution, organization, or government office at the same time.
Most authority bodies that need evidence of the death, i.e., a life insurance company, will require an original copy of a death certificate. Certified copies of a death certificate are usually available within ten days after the death.
Other possible additional charges would be:
- Residential collection
- Removal of a pace-maker
- Overweight surcharge (above 250 pounds)
- Family arrangement consultation
- Mailing of cremated remains
What California funeral legislation governs cremation arrangements & the Cremation Process?
In California, no casket is required by law for cremation, but a suitable rigid cremation container—a simple cardboard container—is required. Some funeral homes offer rental caskets if a service is to be held before the cremation.
The next of kin must sign the Declaration for Disposition of Cremated Remains, which a funeral home usually arranges as part of its services.
Most states have a mandatory wait time (24-48 hours) after death before a cremation can proceed. However, the County Medical Examiner or a Justice of the Peace can waive this requirement.
What about a “no-cost” cremation in California?
What is sometimes called a “free” cremation or “no-cost” cremation is a whole-body donation. Once the donation is performed, the remains are cremated free of charge. However, in some cases, there are costs associated with transporting the deceased and obtaining death certificates.
Visit our Body Donation page to read further about this option.
The deceased had no life insurance, and I can’t afford a funeral. What help is there with cremation costs?
Sadly, more families are finding themselves in such a position. The reality is that there is very limited public or state assistance for funeral costs. The state takes care of indigent deaths (as is their responsibility), but a pauper burial or cremation does this.
Social Security offers a $255 death benefit payment (if qualifying), and the funeral director will assist you with claiming this.
What happens if I cannot pay for a funeral?
If the deceased had no pre-paid funeral plan or life insurance, the immediate next of kin is responsible for paying the funeral bill. This can be very stressful if you lose a family member and become responsible for the funeral arrangements without any resources.
This resource on What to do if you cannot afford a funeral might help.
How much does a cremation cost if the deceased is at the Medical Examiner’s morgue?
If the deceased is at the coroner’s office, you will need to make arrangements with a funeral service provider to collect the body when the coroner signs the release form. You will also need to authorize the funeral director to collect your loved one and transfer him or her into their care.
As most funeral directors deal with the coroner’s office on a regular basis, and the ME issues the authorization and permit to cremate, it can make the arrangements easier. For this reason, some funeral homes can offer a budget direct cremation when handling remains from the Medical Examiner.
* Average direct cremation prices data gathered from Funeralocity 2024 Low-cost direct cremation prices were obtained from DFS Memorials providers in California.
