Cremation Costs in AZ

Compassionate and Cost Efficient: Low-Cost Cremation Options Near You in Arizona

Cremation has become the preferred way for families to handle the remains of a loved one. As many as 60% of bodies are cremated upon death, and that number is rising. The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) expects that number to rise to 81% by 2045, citing several reasons for this changing behavior, including:

• Fewer religious prohibitions against cremation
• People move more often with fewer community ties
• Cost-effective solutions
• Wanting to be more environmentally conscious
• Desire to scatter remains in a sentimental location

The cost of cremation in Arizona can vary depending on the options you choose and whether there is financial support available.

What Is the Average Cost of Cremation in Arizona?

The average cost of cremation in Arizona is between $800 and $3,500. The cremation itself is standardized regardless of who you work with, and any additional services you choose will impact the final cost.

Options include:

Traditional Cremation Package

This package mirrors a traditional funeral, with the deceased present in a casket at a viewing and funeral service before cremation. It includes dressing, preparation, and casket rental, making it the most expensive cremation option. Some funeral homes offer a lower-cost basic package using an alternative container.

Basic Cremation with Service

This simplified option skips the viewing but still includes a memorial service at the funeral home, often with an alternative cremation container present. This provides closure at a lower cost than the full traditional cremation package.

Basic Cremation Without Service

The most affordable and flexible cremation choice is a basic cremation without a service, also called a direct cremation. A direct cremation involves transporting the deceased directly to the crematory. The cremated remains are returned to the family.

What is the Cheapest Way to Cremate Someone?

Direct cremation is the cheapest way to handle arrangements. It is a no-frills way to handle a loved one’s passing, but is an ethical and honorable way to deal with remains. When you work with a funeral home, typical services for this low-cost option include:

• Meeting to discuss your options
• Collection of the deceased from the place of death
• Storage before cremation
• A basic cremation container
• The cremation at the crematorium
• A container used to return the remains
• Help with filling out any necessary documentation

Why Does Cremation Cost So Much?

While it may seem expensive when you opt for cremation, several key factors impact the costs.

Cremation facilities operate under strict government and environmental regulations. They also use a significant amount of power and fuel. In addition, there are costs involved in transporting bodies to a crematorium as well as storing the body until it’s time for the cremation. For example, Arizona has a mandatory 24-hour waiting period before cremation can occur to allow for inspecting the body for contagious diseases or to address legal concerns. During that waiting period, bodies need to be preserved and examined.

There are also costs for containers and urns and returning ashes to families. These costs can add up even if you skip higher-priced options like public viewings, memorial ceremonies at funeral home chapels, or the burial of ashes.

There may also be additional fees, such as for a cremation permit or death certificate, so you will want to make sure you know all of your costs upfront. There could be charges for removing a pacemaker or other medical device, transportation costs depending on the distance, and transporting and cremation of extremely large or heavy individuals. Some service providers may also require payment before cremation occurs.

How Can I Lower the Cost of Cremation in Arizona?

It can be uncomfortable to think about costs when dealing with grief, but the respect and dignity you show your loved one is much more important than how much you spend. If you are searching for affordable cremation options, there are some steps you can take to ease your concerns and keep your costs low.

Compare Your Options

You can call different facilities and compare prices from funeral homes and crematoriums. Ask questions about what they offer and pricing for packages of services. Some questions you may want to ask include:

• What does the base price include? Can you provide an itemized list?
• Do you offer bundles or discounted packages to reduce costs?
• Is the crematory privately owned or contracted? Using a third party often increases pricing.
• For traditional services, what upgrade options are offered, and how much do they cost?
• What choices do I have regarding urns, jewelry, or scattering ashes? What flexibility exists to personalize a memorial?
• How do you guarantee respectful and ethical treatment throughout the handling process?
• Could any supplemental fees be charged on top of the standard pricing, such as processing or handling fees?

Know Your Rights

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has adopted rules for how funeral homes provide prices and disclosures. Per the Funeral Rule, providers must furnish a General Price List (GPL) detailing all offerings and fees if asked, without requiring your personal details. This empowers you to understand available options and associated costs when arranging cremation or other services.

While some charges may be unavoidable, you do have choices. The law requires listing four key rights on the price sheet:

• The ability to decline any unwanted services
• No law necessitating embalming, especially for cremations
• Alternatives to pricey caskets exist, including basic containers
• Refusing embalming cannot incur extra fees

Losing a loved one is difficult. The FTC rules equip you to make informed decisions aligned with your budget and preferences. Before finalizing plans, ensure you receive a printed, itemized price list from the funeral home to ease discussions around the cost of cremation in Arizona.

Think About Personalization

While you can certainly hold a formal viewing and ceremony at a funeral home, many will offer personalized experiences to reflect your loved one’s life and traditions. Regardless of the cremation package you choose, you can also opt to hold a small ceremony at your home or a park or in another setting to lower your costs.

Explore Online Options

Several online cremation providers offer direct cremation services at lower costs than traditional funeral homes. However, you likely will not have options for any additional services.

Free Cremation for Low-Income Families in Arizona

State assistance for funeral costs in Arizona is limited, generally reserved only for indigent deaths. State law requires counties to bury unclaimed or indigent bodies at their expense to ensure bodies are disposed of properly for the sake of public health.

Eligibility is generally based on federal poverty guidelines and families will need to provide proof of income, insurance, and assets for review. Each county operates its own program, and conditions may vary. If you are interested in finding free cremation for low-income families, contact your county health department or Office of Human Services.

Financial Help for Cremation

If you need financial help for the cost of cremation in Arizona, there are some other options available, including:

• The Veterans Administration (VA) provides reimbursement for veteran burial/cremation costs.
• The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers a one-time death benefit of $255 for those eligible. There are also survivor benefits available.
• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides some financial assistance after natural disasters.
• The TEARS Foundation offers financial and bereavement assistance for families losing a child.

There are programs available through local charities and churches, along with special benefits for victims of crime or first responders killed in the line of duty. Some cremation providers give discounts for veterans, seniors, and low-income individuals. Exploring these options can help make final arrangements more affordable.

The Funeral Consumers Alliance (FCA) is a nonprofit that may be able to provide some assistance in Arizona. The FCA office in Tucson serves the entire state.

Whole Body Donations: No-Cost Cremation Services

You can eliminate the cost of cremation in Arizona when you make a whole body donation through United Tissue Network (UTN) in Arizona.

Whole body donations make a crucial contribution to the advancement of medical science and are an alternative to traditional cremation services. Many families find great comfort in knowing that their loved one’s remains will be used for medical research or training to help others. Whole body donations provide tissue for the education and training of doctors and surgeons and enable the testing of new drugs and treatment regimens to combat diseases.

UTN pays 100% of the costs associated with transportation and storage of the body, placing them with qualified medical and research facilities, and cremation after research is completed. UTN manages the cremation process and returns the remains to family members—all at no cost. UTN also provides two certified copies of death certificates, which families typically need to settle a deceased estate.

In Arizona, United Tissue Network is the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency that handles whole body donations. Since 2009, UTN has helped more the 12,000 families honor the legacy of their loved ones while avoiding the cost of cremation in Arizona.

With caring and compassionate staff available 24/7, UTN can guide you through the entire process. If you are working with a funeral home or hospice, you can ask them to contact UTN on your behalf to get the process started.

If you are considering a whole body donation, you can contact UTN at 877-738-6111 to get more information. Inquiries are confidential and respectful. If you are working with a funeral home or hospice facility, UTN will coordinate the arrangements with them.

How Funeral Homes Can Work with United Tissue Network

Funeral homes can work directly with United Tissue Network. After receiving consent from families, UTN will work with funeral homes on arrangements and reimburse them for costs associated with transportation from the place of death to the funeral home, storage of the body before cremation, and transportation to the crematorium. UTN will also handle returning the remains to the family and providing death certificates in Arizona.

Funeral directors and funeral service workers can contact United Tissue Network at (877) 738-6111 to learn more about the process and the best way to offer assistance to grieving families considering a whole body donation.

Whole Body Donation Eligibility

As a non-profit, UTN’s body donation program has greater flexibility regarding eligibility than some for-profit alternatives. For instance, many commercial programs reject donors of advanced age or those with cancer, dementia, or other illnesses. However, UTN can accept registered participants ages 18+ in Arizona regardless of elder status or disease presence, except for those with communicable infections. Typically, UTN accepts about 95% of whole body donations.

Before accepting a donation, UTN will gather medical and social histories, along with signed permission forms. When referred from a funeral home, most approvals take only an hour or two.

UTN accepts whole body donations up to seven days after death with the proper storage. It may also be necessary to perform some basic tests to make sure the body is safe for medical researchers and can be used for their intended purpose, such as research, testing, or training.

Frequently Asked Questions — FAQs

What is the difference between a pure cremation and a direct cremation?

Many people use these two names interchangeably, but both are low-cost options. Pure cremation typically goes through a crematorium while a direct cremation may also include a funeral home to aid in the process or provide basic services such as a viewing or ceremony.

What is the least expensive way to be cremated in Arizona? What is the cheapest direct cremation in Arizona?

The least expensive way to be cremated in Arizona is a direct cremation with no service. Choosing this option can lower the cost of cremation in Arizona to between $800 and $1,500.

You can also choose whole body donation through United Tissue Network. UTN pays all of the costs associated with transportation, storage, and cremation. After research has been completed, remains can be returned to family if desired and UTN also pays for two certified death certificates.

Is $10,000 enough for a funeral?

Whether $10,000 is enough for a funeral depends on the options you choose. The average cost for an embalming, casket, viewing, service, and burial is about $8,000 according to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA). However, many options can make that price much higher, such as the type of casket, vault, or memorial chosen.

Find out more about whole body donations in Arizona by contacting United Tissue Network today at 877-738-6111. You can pre-register yourself or through family members.