The average cremation cost in California falls anywhere from $1,300 to $2,300 depending on provider and services offered. The cost of arranging a full funeral and burial service in California is often much steeper, with a range anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 or more.
Funeral costs can put bereaved families in a difficult position. On the one hand, you want the best for your loved one just as you did when they were alive. But on the other hand, you have your own financial needs to consider, and perhaps dependents to provide for as well. No one should have to go bankrupt to ensure a loved one gets a proper goodbye.
All this makes cremation a leading choice for families in California. When choosing a California cremation provider, it’s important to know what exactly you’re paying for and how much you’ll actually be paying, including any additional fees and potential extra expenses. In this family guide, we’ll walk through common California cremation and burial costs so you can make a more informed decision during this difficult time.
Cremation and Burial costs to Consider in California
What a cremation service includes will vary depending on the provider, as well as the type of service.
A traditional cremation involves preparing your loved one for a viewing or memorial service before they are cremated. This can be prohibitively expensive.
Direct cremation, on the other hand, is a simplified and cost-effective service which foregoes embalming in favor of immediate cremation.
Here’s how your burial and cremation options in California compare on average (according to surveys by the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Southern California and the Consumer Federation of America):
Service Type and Average Cost in California
- Traditional Burial with ceremony: $4,255
- Direct Burial, no ceremony: $1,700
- Traditional Cremation with ceremony – $2,300
- Direct Cremation no ceremony – $1,300
Funeral costs can rise dramatically based on the city within California. In San Francisco, theaverage funeral cost is $11,272, far above the state medium.
Whether you choose cremation for financial or spiritual reasons, it’s important to note that direct cremation is the most affordable option. With direct cremation, you’re paying only for what you need, no strings attached.
In addition to the cremation service itself, there may be other costs you’ll need to consider when budgeting for your loved one’s memorial in California.
Coroner fees
There are various reasons why a coroner’s services may be needed after your loved one’s passing. If this is the case, it’s possible you will need to pay a coroner fee. Coroner fees vary by county and include transportation as well as storage of your loved one during the examination process. Some counties limit the maximum amount a coroner can charge; inLos Angeles, for example, coroner’s fees can legally total no more than $400. The fee will be collected by your chosen cremation provider.
Death certificates
In California, a certified copy of adeath certificatecosts about $21. Some counties may charge a small processing fee for certain methods of payment, such as paying online versus paying in person at the county records office. Some cremation providers can assist you in procuring death certificates.
Permits
Acquiring certain permits may be necessary depending on how you plan to memorialize your loved one after their cremation. Some counties, such asLA County, require aburial permit(or a permit of disposition) whether you plan to inter your loved one’s ashes or scatter them. A burial permit in California costs $12, but some cremation providers also include this in their packages.Scattering ashesat certain institutions such as public parks may also involve additional costs, including parking fees, admission cost, rental fees (if you choose to rent a space for your loved ones to gather at before or after the memorial service), et cetera.
Interment
If you plan tointer your loved one’s ashesin a cemetery or columbarium, you’ll need to include interment fees in your budget. Burying ashes in California typically costs around $1,000; niches in columbariums can cost as little as $400 or as much as $2,000. Some institutions may charge upkeep or paperwork fees separately.
Boat or plane charters
If you plan toconduct a scattering ceremony at seaor by airplane, you’ll most likely need to hire the help of a boat or aircraft memorial service. Average prices for both tend to hover around $300 to $400 in California, with potential added costs for large groups or long distances.
