COMPARE PRICES

 

In order to compare “apples to apples” as much as possible, we have included a $21 fee for one death certificate and $12 fee for a permit when not mentioned in a GPL. We have also included the least expensive casket if not noted in the GPL. If an immediate burial is requested, transportation to a cemetery within 20 to 35 miles of the mortuary the cost is included by most mortuaries.

 

The services for direct cremation and immediate burial include:

 

• Pick up the deceased and transport to the mortuary.

• Refrigerate the deceased for a limited time. (Check with the mortuary.)

• Provide sanitary care.

• Crematory expenses

• Providing a container such as a minimal urn for cremation and basic casket for immediate burial.

 

Where these services are not listed under the Direct Cremation or Immediate Burial, we have added their charges listed elsewhere in the GPL.

 

DIRECT CREMATION

 

Direct Cremation prices shown in the price list includes:

 

• Transfer of the deceased from the place of death to a funeral home.

• Placement in a container.

• Delivery to a crematory without formal viewing, visitation, or ceremony.

 

Direct cremation is a practical and cost-effective method because it requires only minimal services by the funeral home. If a family wishes, they may have a memorial service wherever they want without the involvement of a funeral home.

 

The cremated remains are generally returned in a suitable container. Please note that when a decedent weight exceeds the crematory set weight guideline, extra charges will be incurred for the additional fuel necessary to properly cremate the body.

 

Any rite or ceremony, embalming fees or charges, family's use of a funeral home facility, costs of the obituary, or other services provided by funeral home staff are not included in the prices.

 

IMMEDIATE BURIAL

 

Immediate Burial prices shown in the price list includes:

 

• Transfer of the deceased from the place of death to a funeral home.

• Placement in a container.

• Delivery to a cemetery or other burial site without formal viewing, visitation, or ceremony.

   

We have listed the least expensive casket offered by the funeral home if it was not included with the immediate burial price. Consumers are not obligated to purchase a casket from the funeral home and may choose to select a casket from a vendor of their choice.

 

Immediate burial is a practical and cost-effective method if burial is desired because it required only minimal services by the funeral home. If a family wishes, they may have a memorial service wherever they want without the involvement of a funeral home.

 

Any rite or ceremony, embalming fees or charges, family's use of a funeral home facility, costs of the obituary, or other services provided by funeral home staff are not included in the prices.

 

To determine the total cost for a burial, families need to include the cost of the burial space/plot, the charge to open and close the grave, a grave liner (which is not required by law, but is almost always required by cemeteries to keep the ground from sinking in and simplifying grounds maintenance), and a grave marker. Prices vary greatly on these items, depending on the location of the grave site and the materials used for the grave liner and the marker. Veterans and their spouses should remember to obtain information about veteran burial benefits. The charges for these additional costs must be added to the cost of the funeral to get a true understanding of the total cost of an immediate burial.

 

To assist consumers, a bill was passed requiring mortuaries to post their general prices on their websites (California Law Senate Bill 658, enacted on January 1, 2013). However, when one looks at the final language of the law, it appears that a funeral home can either post their GPL on their website or simply post a list of funeral goods and services with a statement that the GPL is available upon request.

 

Ed Howard, Esq., a lawyer at the Center for Public Interest Law at the University of San Diego School of Law, lobbied to get the law enacted after he and his sister struggled for days to get basic funeral price information over the phone or via the Internet when their father passed away.

 

When a funeral home chooses to make their GPL available on their website, they are making it possible for a person who has just experienced a loss to obtain the information they need to plan a funeral that is in line with their values and budget without having to make numerous phone calls and visits to funeral homes. This is a particular importance for home-bound elders and distant relations responsible for making funeral arrangements.

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Click Here to view our last survey from November 2017.  We have begun collecting info for an updated survey.

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Key Notes:

1. The above prices were collected from GPLs and direct telephone calls to the various companies.

2. Be advised that some companies offer the guaranteed transferring of pre-paid services to any affiliated network company in another part of CA or in another state.   

3. The data presented above is intended for illustrative purposes only and cannot be guaranteed by FCASLA. 

4. We recommend that you educate yourself by studying the various pages of our website and other nonprofit organizations who act as consumer advocates before you begin to investigate the differences between various funeral home and mortuary companies and eventually select the one that will provide services for you. 

5. As with many important purchases, the lowest price service of merchandise is not by any means the best.  Selecting a company whose prices are a bit more than another may be a better choice for you if you find the people to be caring, sincere, helpful, and truly interested in helping you make the best decision based on your requirements.

6. If at all possible, never visit a funeral home or mortuary alone.  It is very helpful to take another person with you, someone you trust in making complicated decisions like those that come up in pre-planning a funeral service.

7. Be sure to always get written estimates that include any and all services, merchandise, charges and fees in addition to having the funeral counselor/advisor indicate on your document(s) which items are mandatory by law or are optional.