A Guide to Planning a Funeral in California
A funeral in California often costs 7x what the average American has in savings. Planning a funeral can be hard work and especially difficult when you’ve never had to plan one before and are in the midst of a loss. This article helps you understand some of the prices you can expect when planning services, as well as different services that are available to you, and provides a guide on how to plan a funeral in the state of California.
What kinds of funerals are popular in California?
According to data on Ever Loved, cremation is the most popular method of disposition in California, with almost 65% of people listing cremation as their chosen method of disposition. This is followed by 31% of people choosing a burial. Traditional burials used to be the most popular method of disposition across the United States, but cremation is quickly becoming preferred for many families in the US. Cremations are often much less expensive, more eco-friendly, and offer some creative ways to further memorialize a loved one’s remains either through cremation jewelry, diamonds, tree burials, or other methods.
What is the average funeral cost in California?
According to our data on Ever Loved, you can expect to spend around $7,400 for a traditional funeral. (This does not include the price of a cemetery plot or other cemetery prices, which are listed below.)
A traditional funeral typically includes several key services, including:
- Embalming and preparation of the body
- Transportation of the body in a vehicle
- The use of a casket
- A viewing or visitation
- A funeral service, which may take place at a funeral home, church, or other venue and often includes eulogies, prayers, and music
- A committal service at the burial site, where final prayers and remarks are made before the casket is lowered into the grave
- A reception or gathering afterward, where attendees can offer condolences and support to the grieving family
Cemetery fees add more costs, which can easily be upwards of an additional $6,000. They typically include the following services and items:
- Opening and closing of the burial plot ($1,300 - $1,650)
- Grave markers or headstones ($1,350 - $8,800)
- Burial plot ($2,100 - $3,600)
- Burial vault ($1,000 - $10,000)
- Cemetery service fees ($200 - $400)
These numbers are typical national ranges for these services with most cemeteries, according to data on Ever Loved. As you can see, a traditional burial can easily cost $15,000 between funeral home and cemetery fees.
This is partially why a popular alternative to a traditional burial is cremation. Around 65% of people on Ever Loved listed cremation as the method of disposition on their memorial website. Cremation services typically average $1850 for a direct cremation and $3800 for a cremation with a traditional memorial service, according to funeral home pricing provided on Ever Loved.
State of California: funeral alternatives
While traditional burials and cremations are popular methods of disposition, they certainly aren’t the only ones that are available. Depending on the chosen method of disposition, you can expect to pay less than the cost of a traditional burial. The following are methods of disposition that typically cost less than a traditional burial and may offer positive benefits that traditional burials do not.
- Green burial: A more environmentally friendly option where the body is buried without embalming and often in a biodegradable coffin or shroud. Funeral homes that offer this service in the state of California include Hillside Memorial Park & Mortuary in Los Angeles and Fernwood Cemetery and Funeral Home in Mill Valley.
- Alkaline hydrolysis (water cremation): The body is decomposed using a water-based solution, resulting in a liquid and bone fragments, which are then processed similarly to cremated remains. This service is still relatively rare, with less than 1% of Ever Loved users listing water cremation as the method of disposition on the memorial website. Funeral homes that offer water cremation in California include White Rose Aqua Cremation in Escondido and Simply Remembered Cremation Care in Goleta.
- Burial at sea: The body is buried in the ocean, either in a specially prepared casket or as cremated remains. A little over 1% of Ever Loved users listed burial at sea as the method of disposition. Argos Funeral Services in Torrance and Sea Star Burial in Oceanside are two such options.
- Donation to science: The body is donated to medical schools or research institutions for study and education. Less than 1% of memorial websites for people in California on Ever Loved listed donation to science as their method of disposition. There are dozens of body donation organizations in the state of California.
How much does a funeral cost in popular California cities?
Depending on the funeral home you’re going with, the services you’re purchasing, and the type of funeral you’d like to hold, your prices will vary greatly. For example, the prices for a traditional funeral at Los Angeles funeral homes are likely to be less expensive than the prices for services at San Francisco funeral homes. Following are some general prices for what you can expect in California.
These estimates are provided by Ever Loved, based on internal data and prices submitted by both users and businesses.
Funeral homes in San Francisco:
- Traditional funeral: $8,300
- Cremation & service: $4,200
- Direct cremation: $1,850
Find funeral homes in San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Funeral homes in Los Angeles:
- Traditional funeral: $7,000
- Cremation & service: $3,500
- Direct cremation: $1,750
Find funeral homes in Los Angeles, CA
Funeral homes in Oakland:
- Traditional funeral: $7,950
- Cremation & service: $4,000
- Direct cremation: $2,050
Find funeral homes in Oakland, CA
Funeral homes in San Jose:
- Traditional funeral: $7,450
- Cremation & service: $3,600
- Direct cremation: $1,900
Find funeral homes in San Jose, CA
You can find additional California funeral homes on Ever Loved, easily get in touch and compare pricing.
Find funeral homes in California
Funeral assistance for low-income families in California
California as a state does not provide funeral assistance, but there are other options for low-income families in need of assistance. Depending on the county you or the deceased lived in, you may qualify for assistance at the county level. Different counties in California offer different programs to assist lower income families in paying for funeral expenses.
In California, low-income families have several options to help cover funeral expenses. Here are some avenues they can explore.
Government assistance programs
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Social Security death benefit: A one-time payment of $255 may be provided to the surviving spouse or child of a deceased who was eligible for Social Security death benefits.
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Medicaid: If the deceased was receiving Medicaid benefits, there might be some assistance available for funeral expenses. It's best to check with the local Medicaid office.
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California Department of Social Services: This department offers assistance through programs like the CalWORKs and General Assistance programs, which may provide help for funeral expenses.
Organizations that can help
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The Funeral Consumers Alliance (FCA): This non-profit organization provides information and resources for affordable funeral options.
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Final Farewell: This charity helps low-income families with funeral expenses, particularly for children.
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Ever Loved: Many families turn to crowdfunding to raise money for funeral expenses. Many families have found profound success in covering funeral costs through the generosity of their communities.
Local resources
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Churches and religious organizations: Many religious institutions have funds or can raise funds to help cover funeral costs for their members.
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Community foundations: Some local community foundations offer grants or emergency assistance for funeral expenses.
Other options
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Prepaid funeral plans: If the deceased had a prepaid funeral plan, it would likely cover most, if not all, of the funeral costs.
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Life insurance: If the deceased had life insurance, the policy may cover funeral expenses.
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Payment plans with funeral homes: Some funeral homes offer payment plans or sliding scale fees based on the family's ability to pay.
Step-by-Step Guide to Planning a Funeral in California
Now that you understand some of the fees you can expect and how to find less expensive alternatives, you can figure out how to start planning a funeral.
1. Decide on the type of service
- Choose between a traditional funeral, memorial service, celebration of life, graveside service, or no services..
- Determine the level of formality and any religious or cultural customs to be included.
- Ensure any pre-planned final wishes are honored.
2. Select a method of disposition
- Decide whether the body will be buried, cremated, or another method of disposition such as green burial or alkaline hydrolysis.
- Discuss options with the funeral director and ensure compliance with state regulations.
3. Choose a funeral home
- Research and select a reputable funeral home in California.
- Consider factors such as location, services offered, and costs.
- Schedule a meeting with the funeral director to discuss options and make arrangements.
- Try to choose a funeral home that may be within your budget. You should know that you may be purchasing less expensive services such as direct cremation or an immediate burial.
Find funeral homes in California
4. Plan the service details
- Choose a date, time, and location for the service.
- Select officiants, speakers, and anyone who will participate in the service.
- Decide on readings, music, and any special tributes or rituals.
- Arrange for flowers, decorations, and printed materials like programs or prayer cards.
5. Arrange for transportation
- Coordinate transportation for the body to the funeral home, service location, and final resting place.
- Arrange transportation for family members and guests if necessary.
6. Notify family and friends
Start a free memorial website on Ever Loved to easily notify your community and share any important event details.
7. Prepare personal items
- Select clothing and any personal items to be buried or cremated with the deceased.
- Gather photos and memorabilia for display at the service.
8. Seek grief support and aftercare
- Arrange for grief counseling, therapy or support groups for family members if needed.
- Address any immediate emotional and practical needs of the family.
Planning a funeral includes many steps and involves keeping track of a lot of moving parts. If you’re in charge of planning a funeral in California, use Ever Loved’s checklist to help keep everything in one place. Ever Loved’s after-death checklist helps you plan the funeral, keep track of necessary steps, and helps you make sure you’re managing all of the tasks you need to after someone has passed.
