Even if you’ve never had to plan a funeral, you probably already know that end-of-life costs are high. You may have heard that cremation is more affordable than burial, so you might be leaning toward this method of disposition for yourself or your loved one.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- Average Cost of Cremation in Arizona
- Popular Crematories in Arizona
- Charities, Nonprofits or Government Programs That Help With Cremation Costs in Arizona
However, before you purchase a cremation package for yourself or your loved one, spend a bit of time doing some research. Understand the different types of cremation packages and talk the decision over with others involved.
If you are looking for a cremation package in Arizona, we’d like to help. Here’s what we uncovered through online research about the average cost of cremation in Arizona.
Average Cost of Cremation in Arizona
Cremation packages vary a lot based on the type of service you are seeking. On average, the cost of cremation may range from $600 to several thousand dollars.
Before discussing the specific costs, you need to learn more about the options many funeral homes and cremation providers offer.
Traditional cremation
Each cremation provider will have its own unique name for a “traditional” cremation. Perhaps a better name for this type of service would be a “traditional service followed by cremation.”
In this type of package, the body is removed from the place of death to the funeral home. There, the body is embalmed, cleaned, dressed, and prepared to be viewed. It is then placed inside a casket (which may be rented), and friends and family can gather to view the body and share memories at a service typically called a wake or visitation.
The wake or visitation may be followed by a traditional funeral, which can be scheduled on the same day as the visitation or the following day. Once the services are held, the body will be cremated. Days later, the cremated remains will be returned to the family.
There are many options to consider when finding a permanent resting place for cremated remains. While scattering is undoubtedly a popular choice, the cremated remains can also be buried in a cemetery or interred in a columbarium niche or mausoleum. A small portion can also be used to create cremation diamonds or decorative glass pieces. Still, others decide to keep their loved one’s cremated remains in an urn on their mantle.
Even though many people say that cremation is the most economical end-of-life option, they may not be referring to a traditional cremation or a “traditional service followed by cremation.” This type of service, especially if you choose to bury the cremated remains in a cemetery plot, may cost the same or more than a traditional burial.
However, if you are looking for a more economical end-of-life option, consider direct cremation.
Direct cremation
“Direct cremation” typically is the name that funeral homes and cremation providers use for their least expensive cremation package. Therefore, when you read about the price differences between cremation vs. burial, the cremation price listed typically refers to direct cremation.
In direct cremation, the family says their final goodbyes to the deceased at the place of death. The body is then transferred to the cremation center and is cremated. The family will receive the cremated remains of the deceased days later.
Direct cremation is usually a low-cost option because it usually doesn’t include any sort of service for the deceased. This doesn’t mean that you can’t have a funeral for your loved one. It simply means that the costs for the services aren’t typically part of a direct cremation package. In fact, some still have a funeral at their religious institution, home, or public place that you can utilize for free (or at a low cost).
Popular Crematories in Arizona
There are a lot of options for cremation providers in Arizona. The lowest-cost option typically comes from direct cremation providers. However, your local funeral home may have a direct cremation package available too.
Smart Cremation
Smart Cremation is a direct cremation provider that serves Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. The company offers low-cost cremation services for both pre-need and immediate-need clients.
The company has extensive experience providing cremations for veterans. The low-price package includes guidance with all the necessary paperwork and customizable options for the final resting place.
Cremation Center of Arizona
Cremation Center of Arizona offers direct cremation services in Maricopa County, Arizona. The $775 fee includes the basic services of the staff, the transfer of the body within Maricopa County, the permit and authorization fees, the filing of the death certificate, and the notification of the Social Security Administration.
The Cremation Center of Arizona’s facility is located in downtown Phoenix.
Arizona Online Cremations
Located in Sun City, Arizona Online Cremations offers direct cremation packages, starting at $575.19. Transportation within 30 minutes of the cremation center is included in this price, but there may be additional fees if the deceased is over 200 pounds.
Arizona Online Cremations allows family members to be present when the body is placed into the cremation chamber.
A Wise Choice Cremation and Funeral Services
A Wise Choice Cremation and Funeral Services is located in Mesa, Arizona. The company offers burial services and owns and operates its own crematorium.
A Wise Choice also has facilities that can be utilized for an additional charge for your loved one’s services.
Neptune Society
Neptune Society is headquartered in Florida, but the company has 60 locations across the nation – including one that serves Tempe and Phoenix.
The Neptune Society also offers special assistance for the families of veterans.
Charities, Nonprofits or Government Programs That Help With Cremation Costs in Arizona
There are a few national and state organizations that might help you with the cremation costs of your loved one. Many of these organizations are designed to help families who have lost children and have no resources or insurance to cover the cost of a funeral. There also may be government assistance available to families who have lost loved ones due to COVID-19.
Here’s a list of resources that might be of service to your family.
Social Security Administration
Although it’s not much, the Social Security Administration can pay a one-time payment of $255 to the surviving spouse if they were living with the deceased. This money, of course, can be used to go toward cremation expenses.
Consult this website for more information about the benefits you may be entitled to from the Social Security Administration.
Children’s Burial Assistance
Although this organization is headquartered in Georgia, the website states that they are a non-profit group that provides donated burial plots throughout the United States (wherever plots are available). But they may also assist with other expenses, including cremation expenses and the cost of opening and closing a grave.
Final Farewell
Final Farewell is another child-focused organization that helps families provide an affordable funeral for a child. The headquarters of this organization is located in Pennsylvania.
The company’s funding comes from fundraising campaigns, government grants, and individual solicitations.
Arizona Department of Veterans Services
Was your loved one a U.S. veteran? This organization will help the families of veterans in finding assistance with end-of-life costs for their loved ones.
Family of God Ministry
Family of God Ministry is to serve needy and homeless children and disadvantaged families living in Arizona. Although they support families in various ways, one of their programs assists families with burial and cremation costs.
Arizona Public Fiduciary Offices
A fiduciary office is a county-level organization designed to serve as a guardian, conservator, or personal representative for individuals who do not have anyone else to serve in this capacity. If this describes the situation of someone you know, reach out to the office in the county where they resided. This organization might have the resources to help pay for the cremation or burial costs of the deceased.
Science Care
Science Care is an organization that helps individuals who wish to donate their bodies upon their death to be used for medical research. Please understand that not everyone will qualify for donation, but there is no upper age limit. If you are eligible, this option may include the cost of the transportation from the location of passing, the cost of the actual cremation, and the return of cremated remains.
Not only would the families of the deceased benefit from not having to pay for the cremation process, but society at large could benefit, as well.
There’s a Lot to Consider When Making End-of-Life Plans
Kudos to you if you are pre-planning your end-of-life plans. This is one of the greatest gifts you can leave behind to your immediate family members. However, you might ask their opinion before you pay for any packages.
Before you purchase a direct cremation package, consider the needs of your family. For example, if they wish to have an open-casket visitation before the cremation, choose a company offering this service. On the other hand, if they feel comfortable saying their goodbyes to you in another fashion, direct cremation may be suitable for your situation.
Even though everyone should have a say in what happens to their bodies after they die, the services that follow are for the family and close friends. Most would agree that they should have a say in what happens too.
If you're an Arizona resident and ready to start preparing your own end-of-life planning documents, Cake has Advance Care Planning forms you can download. To help ease your planning, we have all the documents you need in one place.