Real answers to real questions.

$1,195 — complete. That covers transportation into our care, all permits and filings, the cremation, a temporary urn, and return of the ashes. County fees and taxes are included. No add-ons, no surprises.

None. $1,195 is the complete price. We don't add facility fees, after-hours charges, or charges for services that aren't listed. If something unusual arises that would genuinely change the cost, we'll tell you before proceeding.

The average direct cremation in California runs $1,581–$2,600 depending on provider and location. We're priced below market at $1,195 complete. More importantly, our price is all-in — some providers advertise lower starting prices but charge separately for transportation, permits, or other essentials. Always ask what's included before comparing.

All major credit cards. Payment is collected securely by phone or through a link we send you. No need to visit our office or mail a check.

Direct cremation is cremation that takes place without a formal funeral service or viewing beforehand. We collect your loved one, handle all required paperwork and permits, perform the cremation, and return the ashes to your family. There's no embalming, no visitation, and no formal ceremony — though you're welcome to hold a memorial on your own timeline after.

A counselor will take down the key information — where your loved one is, your contact details, and any immediate questions you have. We'll begin coordinating transportation and walk you through the next steps. You don't need to have anything prepared before you call.

Your loved one is held at our secure, temperature-controlled facility from the time we collect them until cremation. They remain in our direct custody throughout — we don't use third parties for transport or storage. We maintain full chain-of-custody documentation from pickup through return of ashes.

Yes. Your loved one is cremated individually — one at a time. Remains are never commingled. We use a licensed, state-regulated crematory and maintain identifying tags throughout the process.

The paperwork and permitting stage typically takes 7–10 business days. This depends on how quickly the attending physician completes and signs the death certificate, and how quickly the county processes the cremation permit. Cremation takes place 1–3 days after all paperwork clears. Ashes are returned within 48 hours of the cremation date.

California law requires the death certificate to be signed by the attending physician and registered with the county before cremation can proceed. We contact the physician on your behalf and follow up persistently — but we can't force their timeline. Some physicians sign within 24 hours; others take several days. The county then has its own processing time. We'll always tell you where things stand and follow up as quickly as possible.

One form: the cremation authorization. We'll email it to you and you'll sign it electronically. That's all we need from you. We handle every other document — death certificate filings, permits, county coordination.

One certified copy is included. Most families need several — for banks, life insurance, pension accounts, property transfers, and other institutions. Each certified copy costs $24 through LA County. We can order additional copies on your behalf, or you can order them directly through the county registrar.

When the coroner has jurisdiction over a death, they must complete their investigation and formally release the deceased before we can take custody. This adds time to the overall process — sometimes a few days, sometimes longer depending on the circumstances. We coordinate directly with the coroner's office and keep your family updated throughout. If you let us know upfront that the coroner is involved, we can tell you what to expect based on the specific situation.

California law requires coroner involvement for deaths that are sudden, unexpected, violent, or unattended — including accidental deaths, suicides, deaths at home without a physician present in the prior 20 days, and cases where the cause of death is uncertain. If you're not sure whether the coroner is involved, call us and we'll help you figure it out.

We serve Los Angeles County families. If your loved one passed elsewhere in California, we can typically still assist. If they passed outside California, please call us — depending on the location, there may be additional coordination required. We also offer a Coast-to-Coast Protection plan for preplanning that covers out-of-state situations.

Ashes are returned within 48 hours of the cremation date. For families in Los Angeles County, we deliver personally at a time that works for you. For families outside our local delivery area, we ship via USPS Priority Mail Express with full tracking and signature confirmation.

Yes, with conditions. You can scatter at sea (at least three nautical miles from shore, per EPA guidelines), on private property with the owner's permission, or at some parks and public lands with a permit. Scattering on public land without permission or in waterways other than the ocean is generally not permitted. We're happy to walk you through your options.

A temporary plastic urn is included at no extra charge. Many families choose to transfer ashes to a permanent urn, keepsake, or other vessel at a later time. We don't sell urns or merchandise, so there's no upsell pressure here.

No. Everything is handled online and by phone. We're frequently out on pickups and deliveries — online arrangements are the fastest way to get started. Our Pasadena address is an administrative office, not a walk-in location.

California law establishes a priority order for who can authorize cremation: spouse or domestic partner, adult children, parents, siblings, and then other next of kin. If there's more than one person with equal priority, we'll guide you through the process. In cases of dispute, we may require written authorization from multiple parties.

Call or email us — your counselor stays available throughout the entire process. Most families have more questions after the first call, not fewer. We expect them and welcome them.

Yes. We are licensed by the California Cemetery and Funeral Bureau, FD #2564. All of our operations comply with California Health & Safety Code requirements for cremation providers.