Cremation Services in California

Compare 143 cremation providers across 1,239 cities. Average direct cremation: $2,200.

$2,200 Avg. Direct Cremation
65% Cremation Rate
143 Providers Listed
204,487 Est. Cremations/Year

Cremation Laws in California

Waiting Period

48 hours

Alkaline Hydrolysis

Legal

Human Composting

Legal

Scattering Ashes

Permitted in a cemetery scattering garden or where no local prohibition exists with written permission of property owner or governing agency; at sea 500 yards from shore

Additional Notes

Human composting legalized in 2022 (AB 351), regulations under development with services expected by 2027. Alkaline hydrolysis legalized in 2017 (AB 967). Unique scattering laws require specific distances from shore.

Cremation Cost Breakdown in California

Typical price ranges for cremation services in California

ServiceLowAverageHigh
Direct Cremation Basic cremation with no ceremony. Includes transportation, paperwork, cremation, and return of remains in a simple container. $1,210 $1,870 $2,640
Cremation Memorial Cremation followed by a memorial service at the funeral home or other venue. May include a viewing before cremation. $3,960 $5,500 $7,040
Cremation Viewing Full-service cremation with visitation/viewing, funeral ceremony, and cremation. Requires embalming and casket rental. $4,840 $6,600 $8,800
Transport Transfer of remains from place of death to the cremation facility. Often included in package pricing. $330 $550 $880
Urn Basic Simple container for cremated remains. Ranges from a basic cardboard box (often included) to a modest urn. $44 $110 $330
Urn Premium Handcrafted or designer urn in materials like bronze, marble, ceramic, or hardwood. $220 $440 $1,100
Death Certificate Certified copies of the death certificate. Most families need 5-10 copies for insurance, banking, and legal purposes. $11 $22 $44
Traditional Burial Full traditional burial including casket, embalming, viewing, ceremony, burial plot, vault, and headstone. Shown for cost comparison. $7,700 $9,900 $13,200

The Cremation Process in California

Step-by-step guide to cremation in California

1

Obtain a Death Certificate

When a death occurs in California, a physician or medical examiner must sign the death certificate. The funeral home or cremation provider typically handles filing with the California vital records office. Order 8-12 certified copies ($22-$44 each) - you'll need them for insurance claims, bank accounts, and legal matters.

2

Choose a Cremation Provider

Compare providers in California - our directory lists 143 across the state. The FTC's Funeral Rule requires all providers to give you an itemized General Price List over the phone or in person. Direct cremation in California averages $2,200, but prices range from $1,210 to $2,640.

3

Complete Authorization

California requires written authorization from the next of kin or legal representative before cremation can proceed. There is a 48 hours mandatory waiting period after death. The medical examiner or coroner must also approve the cremation in most cases.

4

Transportation & Preparation

The cremation provider will transport the deceased from the place of death (hospital, home, nursing facility) to their facility. In California, transportation typically costs $330-$880. For direct cremation, no embalming is required. If a viewing is planned, embalming may be necessary.

5

The Cremation Process

The cremation takes place in a specialized chamber called a cremation retort at 1,400-1,800°F. The process takes 2-3 hours. Afterward, the remains are processed into a fine powder (cremains) weighing 3-7 pounds. California also allows alkaline hydrolysis (water cremation) as an alternative method.

6

Receive the Cremated Remains

Cremated remains are returned to the family within 3-10 business days, typically in a basic container or urn. In California, you can keep the remains at home, inter them in a cemetery columbarium, scatter them following state guidelines, or choose a memorial option like a cremation garden or reef burial. Scattering rules: Permitted in a cemetery scattering garden or where no local prohibition exists with written permission of property owner or governing agency; at sea 500 yards from shore

Cremation vs. Burial in California

Cost Comparison

Direct cremation in California: $1,210-$2,640. Traditional burial: $7,700-$13,200. Cremation is typically 60-80% less expensive. Even full-service cremation with a ceremony costs significantly less than burial.

Environmental Impact

Cremation uses fewer land resources than burial. Traditional burial involves embalming chemicals, a casket, and a concrete vault. California offers alkaline hydrolysis as an even greener option, using 90% less energy than flame cremation. Human composting is also available in California.

Flexibility

Cremation offers more flexibility for memorial services - they can be held anytime, anywhere, without the time pressure of traditional burial. Families can split remains among multiple urns, scatter in meaningful locations, or create memorial products. 65% of California families now choose cremation.

Timeline

California requires a 48 hours waiting period before cremation. Traditional burial typically occurs within 3-7 days. Cremation can happen within 1-5 days after the waiting period, and memorial services can be planned at any later date.

Cremation Providers in California

143 providers listed

Angelus Funeral Home

Los Angeles, CA

3875 Crenshaw Boulevard

Beardsley-Mitchell Funeral Home

San Diego, CA

1818 Sunset Cliffs Boulevard

Beddingfield Funeral Service

San Jose, CA

4323 Moorpark Avenue

Colma Cremation and Funeral Services

San Jose, CA

111 North Market Street

Darling & Fischer Garden Chapel

San Jose, CA

471 East Santa Clara Street

Lima-Campagna-Alameda Mission Chapel

San Jose, CA

600 South 2nd Street

Martinez Family Funeral Home

San Jose, CA

1680 Alum Rock Avenue

Oak Hill Funeral Home

San Jose, CA

300 Curtner Avenue

Willow Glen Funeral Home

San Jose, CA

1039 Lincoln Avenue

Lifemark Group

San Francisco, CA

Farewell Funeral Service

Fresno, CA

660 West Locust Avenue

Neptune Society of Central California

Fresno, CA

1154 West Shaw Avenue

Chapel of Flowers

Sacramento, CA

Affordable Burial & Cremation

Long Beach, CA

6510 Cherry Avenue

Destiny Funeral Home & Crematory

Long Beach, CA

5443 Long Beach Boulevard

C.P. Bannon Mortuary

Oakland, CA

6800 International Boulevard

Colonial Chapel

Oakland, CA

2626 High Street

Melrose Abbey

Anaheim, CA

2303 South Manchester Avenue

M. H. Simons Undertaking Chapel

Riverside, CA

3610 11th Street

Berge-Pappas-Smith Chapel of the Angels

Fremont, CA

40842 Fremont Boulevard

Fremont Chapel of the Roses Mortuary

Fremont, CA

1940 Peralta Boulevard

Fremont Memorial Chapel Mortuary

Fremont, CA

3723 Peralta Boulevard

Trident Society

Fremont, CA

4065 Mowry Avenue

Evins Funeral Home

Modesto, CA

3637 Crows Landing Road

Fontana Mortuary

Fontana, CA

8030 Mango Avenue

Ingold Funeral & Cremation

Fontana, CA

8277 Juniper Avenue

Eggen and Lance Chapel

Santa Rosa, CA

1540 Mendocino Avenue

Neptune Society of Northern California

Santa Rosa, CA

1455 Santa Rosa Avenue

Sunnyside Cremation and Funeral

Garden Grove, CA

12301 Magnolia St

Spangler Mortuary Wyant & Smith Crematory

Sunnyvale, CA

174 North Sunnyvale Avenue

High Desert Funeral Chapel & Cremation

Victorville, CA

16545 Bear Valley Road

Harris Funeral Home

Berkeley, CA

1331 San Pablo Avenue

Miller Mies Downey Mortuary

Downey, CA

10229 Paramount Boulevard

Murrieta Valley Funeral Home

Murrieta, CA

24651 Washington Avenue

Grace Memorial

Inglewood, CA

Inglewood Cemetery Mortuary

Inglewood, CA

3801 West Manchester Boulevard

Duggan's Serra Mortuary

Daly City, CA

500 Westlake Avenue

Bryan-Braker Funeral Home

Vacaville, CA

615 Merchant Street

McCune Garden Chapel

Vacaville, CA

212 Main Street

Oakmont Funeral & Cremation Services

Vacaville, CA

180 East Monte Vista Avenue

Allen & Dahl Funeral Chapel

Redding, CA

2655 Old Eureka Way

Del Angel South Gate Mortuary

South Gate, CA

8665 California Avenue

Tobia Casket

Westminster, CA

Hemet Valley Mortuary

Hemet, CA

403 North San Jacinto Street

Pueblo Del Rey Funeral Services

Santa Barbara, CA

3120 State Street

Welch-Ryce-Haider Funeral Chapel

Santa Barbara, CA

450 Ward Drive

Hua Yuan at Rose Hills

Whittier, CA

3890 Workman Mill Road

Visitation Center

Whittier, CA

Whitton Family Funeral Service

Merced, CA

740 West 19th Street

Olive Tree Mortuary

Lake Forest, CA

25431 Trabuco Road

Crippen & Flynn Funeral Directors

Redwood City, CA

400 Woodside Road

Redwood Chapel

Redwood City, CA

847 Woodside Road

Sinai Memorial Chapel

Redwood City, CA

777 Woodside Road

Sunnyside Mortuary

Buena Park, CA

7651 Commonwealth Ave

P.L. Fry and Son

Manteca, CA

290 North Union Road

Universal Chung Wah Funeral Directors

Alhambra, CA

225 North Garfield Avenue

Luyben's Mortuary

Lakewood, CA

Spangler Mortuary

Mountain View, CA

799 Castro Street

White's Funeral Home

Bellflower, CA

Happy Trails Funeral Parlor

Apple Valley, CA

20601 Happy Trails Highway

Allen Mortuary

Turlock, CA

247 North Broadway Street

Turlock Funeral Home

Turlock, CA

425 North Soderquist Road

Deer Creek Funeral Service

Dublin, CA

7440 San Ramon Road

Jones Mortuary

Palo Alto, CA

Douglas Family Mortuary

Lynwood, CA

3363 East Imperial Highway

Legacy Funeral & Cremation Care

La Mesa, CA

7043 University Avenue

Parent Sorenson Funeral Home

Petaluma, CA

850 Keokuk Street

Animal Memorial Service

Gilroy, CA

8860 Muraoka Drive

Forever My Pet Cremation

Gilroy, CA

5945 Obata Way

Forest Lawn

Arcadia, CA

11 East Huntington Drive

Lima-Campagna-Johnson Funeral Home

Morgan Hill, CA

17720 Monterey Street

Hems Brothers Mortuary

El Centro, CA

South 4th Street

Darling & Fischer – Campbell Memorial Chapel

Campbell, CA

231 East Campbell Avenue

Chapel By the Sea Funeral Home

Pacifica, CA

801 Oceana Boulevard

Darling & Fischer – Chapel of the Hills

Los Gatos, CA

615 North Santa Cruz Avenue

Berry Bell & Hall Mortuary

Fallbrook, CA

333 North Vine Street

Ivers & Alcorn Funeral Home

Atwater, CA

3050 Winton Way

McKay's South Bay Mortuary

Lawndale, CA

3918 Marine Avenue

Spangler Mortuary

Los Altos, CA

399 South San Antonio Road

O'Connor Mortuary

Laguna Hills, CA

25301 Alicia Parkway

Alameda Family Funeral & Cremation

Saratoga, CA

12341 Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road

Blue Sky Cremation Service

Atascadero, CA

7305 Highway 41 West

Peter's Funeral Home

Shafter, CA

844 East Lerdo Highway

Golden Memorial Plan

Chowchilla, CA

Paul's Chapel

Arcata, CA

Lady Family Mortuary

Arroyo Grande, CA

555 Fair Oaks Avenue

Douglass Mortuary

El Segundo, CA

500 East Imperial Avenue

Empire Mortuary Services

Ukiah, CA

697 South Orchard Avenue

Eversole Mortuary

Ukiah, CA

141 Low Gap Road

Big Bear Mortuary

Big Bear City, CA

321 West Big Bear Boulevard

Hadley-Marcom Funeral Chapel

Farmersville, CA

332 East Visalia Road

Cry House

Valley Center, CA

Shant Bhaven

Fowler, CA

Hillview Funeral Chapel

Gustine, CA

515 1st Avenue

Groman Eden Mortuary

Mission Hills, CA

11500 Sepulveda Boulevard

Mount Whitney Funeral Home

Lone Pine, CA

220 East Post Street

Angeleno Mortuary

Sherman Oaks, CA

Arlington Mortuary

Mira Loma, CA

Del Angel Funeral Home

Sherman Oaks, CA

Forest Lawn Mortuary

Universal City, CA

Funeraria de la cruz

San Ysidro, CA

Orlando's Resting Place

Universal City, CA

All Cities in California

Cities with cremation providers or population over 10,000

San Jose 8 providers Fresno 4 providers Fremont 4 providers San Francisco 3 providers Santa Rosa 3 providers Vacaville 3 providers Redwood City 3 providers Los Angeles 2 providers Long Beach 2 providers Oakland 2 providers Riverside 2 providers Fontana 2 providers Lancaster 2 providers Inglewood 2 providers Santa Barbara 2 providers Whittier 2 providers Merced 2 providers Mountain View 2 providers Napa 2 providers Turlock 2 providers Gilroy 2 providers Martinez 2 providers Shafter 2 providers Ukiah 2 providers Piedmont 2 providers Mira Loma 2 providers Sherman Oaks 2 providers Universal City 2 providers Ventura 2 providers San Diego 1 provider Sacramento 1 provider Anaheim 1 provider Modesto 1 provider Ontario 1 provider Garden Grove 1 provider Sunnyvale 1 provider Victorville 1 provider Simi Valley 1 provider Berkeley 1 provider Downey 1 provider Murrieta 1 provider Daly City 1 provider Redding 1 provider South Gate 1 provider Westminster 1 provider Hemet 1 provider Livermore 1 provider Lake Forest 1 provider Buena Park 1 provider Manteca 1 provider Alhambra 1 provider Lakewood 1 provider Folsom 1 provider Bellflower 1 provider Apple Valley 1 provider Dublin 1 provider Camarillo 1 provider Palo Alto 1 provider Lynwood 1 provider Pico Rivera 1 provider La Mesa 1 provider Petaluma 1 provider Arcadia 1 provider Watsonville 1 provider Ceres 1 provider Morgan Hill 1 provider El Centro 1 provider Campbell 1 provider Hollister 1 provider Culver City 1 provider Pacifica 1 provider San Dimas 1 provider Los Gatos 1 provider Fallbrook 1 provider Atwater 1 provider Lawndale 1 provider Los Altos 1 provider Laguna Hills 1 provider Saratoga 1 provider Atascadero 1 provider Eureka 1 provider Maywood 1 provider Soledad 1 provider Chowchilla 1 provider Arcata 1 provider Arroyo Grande 1 provider El Segundo 1 provider King City 1 provider Big Bear City 1 provider Signal Hill 1 provider Farmersville 1 provider Valley Center 1 provider Fowler 1 provider Colusa 1 provider Gustine 1 provider Mission Hills 1 provider Lone Pine 1 provider Newcastle 1 provider San Ysidro 1 provider Sun City 1 provider Bakersfield Stockton Santa Ana Irvine Chula Vista Santa Clarita San Bernardino Moreno Valley Oxnard Huntington Beach Glendale Elk Grove Rancho Cucamonga Oceanside Palmdale Salinas Hayward Corona Pomona Escondido Roseville Torrance Fullerton Visalia Orange Pasadena Santa Clara Thousand Oaks Vallejo Concord Clovis Fairfield Richmond Antioch Carlsbad Costa Mesa Temecula Santa Maria West Covina El Monte El Cajon San Mateo Rialto Norwalk Menifee Chico Hesperia Vista Compton Carson San Marcos Mission Viejo Santa Monica Tracy Chino San Leandro Indio Hawthorne Citrus Heights Newport Beach San Ramon Tustin Milpitas Pleasanton Carmichael Rancho Cordova Upland Perris Chino Hills Alameda Pittsburg Redlands Baldwin Park Rocklin Redondo Beach Lake Elsinore Union City Walnut Creek Yuba City Tulare Yorba Linda Davis Castro Valley Lodi Madera South San Francisco Laguna Niguel San Clemente Brentwood La Habra Santa Cruz Montebello Porterville Encinitas San Rafael Monterey Park Woodland Gardena Cupertino Santee Hanford Fountain Valley Highland National City Diamond Bar Huntington Park Yucaipa Hacienda Heights West Sacramento Colton San Jacinto Paramount Novato Beaumont Glendora Aliso Viejo Placentia Cathedral City Delano Covina Rosemead Palm Desert El Dorado Hills Cypress Azusa Lincoln Cerritos North Highlands Poway Antelope Rowland Heights La Mirada Rancho Santa Margarita Newark Brea San Luis Obispo Los Banos Palm Springs Lompoc Rohnert Park San Bruno Danville Oakley Altadena Rancho Palos Verdes Coachella San Gabriel Bell Gardens Calexico La Puente Adelanto Stanton Monrovia Montclair La Quinta Claremont Wildomar Temple City Moorpark West Hollywood Orangevale Manhattan Beach San Juan Capistrano Pleasant Hill Menlo Park Bell Dana Point Beverly Hills Goleta Fair Oaks Desert Hot Springs Seaside San Pablo Burlingame La Verne San Carlos Santa Paula Monterey San Lorenzo Suisun City Banning Lathrop Walnut Belmont Twentynine Palms Ridgecrest Lemon Grove Benicia Wasco Lemoore South Pasadena Sanger Brawley Windsor Norco Ladera Ranch Imperial Beach Hercules Barstow Lafayette Galt Seal Beach Reedley Riverbank Loma Linda Selma Dinuba Bloomington San Fernando Patterson Calabasas Millbrae Oakdale Laguna Beach Marina Corcoran Port Hueneme American Canyon Yucca Valley Duarte Ramona South Lake Tahoe Granite Bay Stanford Rosamond Lomita Agoura Hills Albany Imperial Coronado Stevenson Ranch Oroville Hermosa Beach South El Monte Orinda Arvin Santa Fe Springs Pinole Dixon Castaic Greenfield Blythe Nipomo Laguna Woods Coalinga Rancho Mirage Moraga Truckee Susanville Clearlake Olivehurst Fillmore Artesia Mckinleyville Kerman Ripon Rio Linda La Palma Discovery Bay Alamo Pacific Grove California City Red Bluff Alpine Parlier Los Osos Mill Valley Livingston Hawaiian Gardens Lamont Grass Valley Oak Park Salida Phelan Auburn Avenal Carpinteria Grand Terrace Larkspur Solana Beach Tehachapi Bonita Emeryville Marysville San Anselmo Grover Beach Lindsay Mendota Fortuna San Marino Lake Arrowhead Kingsburg Newman Scotts Valley Half Moon Bay Los Alamitos Winton Crestline Marina Del Rey Diamond Springs Healdsburg Anderson Sierra Madre Clayton Morro Bay Placerville Sonoma Delhi Malibu Shasta Lake Exeter Corte Madera Calimesa Rio Vista

Cremation Planning Checklist for California

VA National Cemeteries in California

Eligible veterans and their spouses can receive free burial or columbarium placement at national cemeteries

Bakersfield National Cemetery

30338 East Bear Mountain Blvd., Arvin, CA 93203

Benicia Arsenal Post Cemetery

Birch Rd, Benicia, CA 94510

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery

1700 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, San Diego, CA 92106

Golden Gate National Cemetery

1300 Sneath Lane, San Bruno, CA 94066

Los Angeles National Cemetery

950 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049

Los Angeles National Cemetery Annex

Constitution Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90049

Mare Island Naval Cemetery

167 O'Hara Ct, Vallejo, CA 94592

Miramar National Cemetery

5795 Nobel Drive, San Diego, CA 92122

Riverside National Cemetery

22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA 92518

Sacramento Valley National Cemetery

5810 Midway Rd, Dixon, CA 95620

San Francisco National Cemetery

1 Lincoln Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94129

San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery

32053 W McCabe Rd., Santa Nella, CA 95322

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does cremation cost in California?

The average direct cremation in California costs approximately $2,200, which is above the national average of $1,924. Prices typically range from $1,430 to $3,080 depending on the provider and services selected. Full-service cremation with a memorial ceremony can cost $5,500 to $7,700. We recommend comparing quotes from multiple providers in your area.

What percentage of people choose cremation in California?

Approximately 65% of families in California choose cremation, which is close to the national average of 62%. This translates to roughly 204,487 cremations per year in the state. The cremation rate has been steadily increasing nationwide and is projected to reach 82% by 2045.

How many cremation providers are there in California?

Our directory currently lists 143 cremation and funeral service providers across California, serving 1,239 cities and towns. Providers range from large funeral home chains to independent local cremation societies. We recommend contacting multiple providers to compare pricing and services.

What is direct cremation in California?

Direct cremation is the most affordable cremation option in California, typically costing $1,430 to $2,200. It includes transportation of the deceased, necessary paperwork, the cremation itself, and return of the cremated remains in a basic container. There is no viewing, visitation, or funeral ceremony before the cremation. Families can hold a memorial service separately at any time.

Is cremation cheaper than burial in California?

Yes, cremation is significantly more affordable than traditional burial in California. Direct cremation averages $2,200, while a traditional burial with casket, vault, and cemetery plot typically costs $9,900 or more. Even a full-service cremation with a ceremony is usually 40-60% less expensive than a traditional burial. Cost savings is the number one reason families choose cremation.

Is there a waiting period for cremation in California?

California requires a 48 hours waiting period after death before cremation can take place. This waiting period allows time for the medical examiner to review the death certificate and for the family to make final arrangements. Additional time may be needed if the death requires investigation by the medical examiner.

Are alternative cremation methods available in California?

Yes, California has legalized alkaline hydrolysis (water cremation) and natural organic reduction (human composting) as alternatives to traditional flame cremation. Alkaline hydrolysis, also called water cremation or aquamation, uses water and alkaline chemicals to reduce the body. It is considered more environmentally friendly than traditional cremation. Natural organic reduction, or human composting, transforms the body into nutrient-rich soil over a period of several weeks. Contact local providers to check availability in your area.

How does cremation cost compare to household income in California?

With a median household income of $91,905 in California, the average direct cremation cost of $2,200 represents about 2.4% of annual household income. This is roughly in line with the national average. Many providers offer payment plans, and some states have assistance programs for low-income families.