Your Step-by-step guide to planning cremation arrangements
Are you interested in making a cremation plan for yourself? Or do you need to arrange a funeral or cremation service for a loved one who has passed? This funeral and cremation planning guide will answer some key questions you will have if faced with the task of making funeral arrangements.
The following FAQs about cremation costs and funeral prices in the Tucson area, as well as state funeral laws and other considerations for funeral and cremation arrangements, have been compiled to help you know where to start when planning a funeral or cremation.
Direct cremation service $1,180 Call (520) 200-7742
What is my first call when a death occurs?
When a death occurs, your first call should be to select a funeral home to handle the arrangements and arrange the transfer of the deceased to their care. Most deaths occur in a medical facility, where the deceased can be held for a short period in the hospital morgue if necessary.
This gives you time to select the right funeral service provider for your needs, so don’t feel rushed to decide immediately.
How do I choose a funeral home or cremation service provider in Tucson, AZ?
If your loved one had no funeral plan and you have no prior experience with a funeral home, this will be the first decision to make. There are around 19 funeral service providers in Tucson.
If you plan to hold a funeral ceremony, the actual location of the funeral home will be a crucial consideration.
Additionally, if you are working within a specific budget for funeral costs, you will likely want to compare prices before selecting a funeral home.
Direct cremation service $1,180 Call (520) 200-7742
What are my funeral service or cremation service options in Tucson?
There is a range of funeral service providers serving the Tucson area, as mentioned above, and you can arrange anything from a full-service traditional funeral to a simple direct cremation service.
You will need to decide if you want a traditional funeral, something more modern like a life celebration service, or if you want to consider cremation as a more affordable option.
Read on to learn more about direct cremation and discover why it’s your most affordable option.
What is the average cost of a funeral service in Tucson?
According to Funeralocity, the average cost for an adult funeral in Tucson is $6,693. This is based on the most commonly selected items for a traditional funeral, including a casket and vault. However, it does not include cemetery costs.
A grave space, a grave marker, and opening/closing the grave can easily cost an additional $1,500 to $2,500. Therefore, a traditional funeral and burial costs at least $8,500.
How much does a cremation cost in Tucson, AZ?
Cremation costs are often more difficult to quote, as they depend on the type of cremation service you opt for. Whether you opt for a cremation with a traditional service or a direct cremation without a service.
Cremation is a cheaper alternative to a traditional funeral. However, a cremation with a memorial service will still cost upwards of $4,000, with an average cost of $5,254 in the Tucson Metropolitan area.
A simple cremation service with no ceremony is referred to as a “direct cremation” in the funeral industry.
The cost of direct cremation in Tucson begins at around $1,150. This is the most economical funeral service arrangement available to families.
The cost of a simple cremation does vary among funeral service providers in the Tucson area. It is likely to cost between $1,200 and $2,000, with most affordable funeral providers charging an average of $1,500 (Funeralocity).
It is always a good idea to review the contents of a low-cost direct cremation package to ensure there are no hidden fees. Sometimes, what appears to be below cost may include additional fees in the final package price.
County fees are generally ‘third-party’ additional charges, such as death certificates and cremation permits. However, some affordable direct cremation packages may include a death certificate and cremation permit fee.
Extra charges that can be incurred with a budget direct cremation include fees for a residential collection if required, for the deceased weighing over 300 pounds, and the removal of a pacemaker before cremation.
Are there any legal considerations I should be aware of when arranging a funeral in Tucson, Arizona?
Each state has its own legislation that governs funeral and cremation practices. A crematory must adhere to specific practice standards when disposing of human remains through cremation.
In Arizona, a cremation can be performed only after a ‘Cremation Authorization Form’ is signed by the legal next of kin and the coroner issues the cremation permit.
There is a mandatory 24-hour waiting period before a cremation can proceed; however, it usually takes about three days to complete all necessary arrangements and paperwork.
A casket is NOT required by law for a cremation. All that is required is a suitable rigid container. A cremation container is usually a reinforced cardboard or plywood box.
Some funeral homes offer rental caskets for individuals who wish to hold a funeral service before cremation.
How do I apply for a Death Certificate in Arizona?
The funeral director will generally file for the death certificate on your behalf and will ask how many copies you require. You can also obtain copies of death certificates from the Office of Vital Records (OVR), online or by mail, and they can be found at:
Health Department,
Office of Vital Records
3950 S. Country Club Road, Suite 100,
Tucson, AZ 85714
(520) 724-7932
Who is responsible for paying for a funeral?
If the deceased did not pre-arrange and pre-pay for a funeral plan, then the responsibility for paying for a funeral falls on the immediate next of kin. This can be quite a burden for many families, and this is why more seniors today are considering setting up simple cremation arrangements.
Preplanning can be a simple, affordable option that provides families with peace of mind when the time comes.
Be aware that whoever signs the funeral contract with the funeral home is legally responsible for paying thefuneral bill.
If you are interested in pre-arranging a simple cremation plan, contact your local DFS Memorials location at (520) 200-7742.
Affordable direct cremation plans in Tucson, AZ start at $30 per month. Call your Tucson DFS Memorials location for a quote.
What happens if the deceased is at the Pima County Medical Examiner’s?
If the death occurred outside of a medical facility, was an accident, or is unexplained, the body will be transferred to the Medical Examiner’s office.
It is the responsibility of the coroner to determine the cause of death before a death certificate can be issued.
You will need to arrange for a funeral home to collect your loved one once the coroner releases the body. Only a licensed funeral director can transport the deceased from the ME’s morgue, and the next of kin will need to sign a release form for the Medical Examiner to release the body into the care of a funeral home.
The Medical Examiner will issue the death certificate and permit to cremate once they release the body. If you have further questions about identifying the body and making arrangements for the transfer of the deceased, you can contact the Office of the Medical Examiner for Pima County at (520) 724-8600. Alternatively, you can find them at:
Office of Medical Examiner
2825 E. District St.
Tucson, AZ 85714
How do I prepare if my loved one is in hospice care in Tucson, AZ?
If your loved one is in hospice care and the support staff has advised you to prepare for his or her passing, it can help to have provisional arrangements in place. This ensures that when the time comes, the hospice can immediately contact the funeral service provider and arrange for the transfer of your loved one into their care.
If you contact a funeral home in advance, you can make some preparations, which will alleviate the stress of making arrangements on short notice.
This also means the hospice knows whom to contact, and the authorizations and other legal documentation can be prepared in advance.
What help with funeral expenses is there for low-income or uninsured families in Pima County, AZ?
This is a question we are asked frequently as more families struggle to afford funeral expenses. Unfortunately, there is very limited public or state assistance for funeral costs. The state takes care of indigent deaths, but a pauper burial or cremation does this.
Social Security offers a $255 death benefit payment (if qualifying), and the funeral director will be able to assist you with claiming this.
You may also find it useful to read our article on ‘What are your options on how to pay for a funeral or cremation?’. It provides more information on how you can raise funds to cover funeral expenses.
What can I legally do with the cremated remains? Laws for scattering ashes in Tucson, Arizona
The cremation rate is increasing, and over 60% of Arizona residents choose cremation as their preferred end-of-life choice. Consequently, ash scattering has become a popular memorial practice in Arizona. You can generally scatter cremated remains on public land without the need for a permit.
If you wish to scatter remains on your own private property, you are at liberty to do so. If you wish to scatter ashes on other private lands (i.e., golf courses), you must obtain permission.
For aerial scattering, you must comply with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved dispersion routes over the Grand Canyon. There are several aerial ash scattering companies operating in Arizona.
Basic scattering in areas of Arizona starts at around $400, but costs around $550 for the Grand Canyon area, with additional costs for incremental services.
To read more about how to scatter ashes, visit our section on Ash Scattering.
I want to pre-plan a simple cremation. What is the best way to set up a cremation plan in Tucson?
You can make pre-arrangements with a funeral home and/or crematory. The terms and payment plans may differ depending on your requirements and age. And whether you make payment in full at the time of purchasing your pre-need plan or opt to arrange a payment plan.
More cremation providers are now offering online arrangement services, so all this can be done from the comfort of your own home.
Preplanning can provide you with funeral service coverage that gives you and your family peace of mind, reducing the stress of making last-minute arrangements after a loved one has passed.
To discuss your options for pre-planning a simple cremation in Tucson, contact your local provider at (520) 200-7742.
If you do regularly travel for work, pleasure, sport, visiting family, or snow-birding, you may wish to consider our great value Travel Protection Plan. This plan costs just $450 for an individual for lifetime protection against the costly expense of returning a body home if a death occurs 75 miles (or further) from your residence. It also provides global coverage. Domestic funeral shipping can cost from $3,000, and International repatriation can start at around $6,900.
Arranging a green burial in Tucson, AZ
In a recent survey, the National Funeral Directors Association found that 72% of funeral homes reported increased interest in green burials among families. At present, families typically have two options: traditional burial or cremation.
However, a ‘natural’ green burial is less expensive than a traditional burial and more environmentally friendly than cremation. Typically, a green funeral will cost between $3,000 and $5,000.
There are currently only two cemeteries in Arizona that offer green burial options. Details are available in our Green Burials Directory.
Can I arrange a no-cost cremation in Tucson, AZ?
A “no-cost” cremation typically refers to a whole-body donation program, where the deceased’s remains are cremated at no charge after the donation.
If you wish to donate your body to science in Arizona, the University of Arizona has a Willed Body Program. Still, you will need to check with them directly regarding donor acceptance limitations.
For more information, please visit their website here. However, please be aware that an anatomical donation may not always be accepted at the time of death. Therefore, it is advisable to have a provisional funeral or cremation plan in place if a donation cannot be accepted.
For more information on whole-body donation, visit our Body Donation page.
Do I need a casket for a cremation service in Tucson?
No, Arizona’s requirement (or law) stipulates that a casket is required for a cremation service. A cremation is usually conducted using a simple reinforced cardboard container.
However, renting a casket is possible if you wish to have a service before the cremation takes place. This will help you save on funeral costs, as caskets can be a significant expense for traditional funerals and burials.
I have questions or concerns about arranging a funeral in Tucson. Where can I find help?
You can contact DFS Memorial’s affordable funeral service provider in Tucson at (520) 200-7742 with any questions. If you have a complaint against a funeral director or a funeral establishment, you should attempt to resolve your complaint directly with the funeral home concerned.
If you are unable to reach a satisfactory resolution, you can contact the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Southern Arizona, P.O. Box 12661, Tucson, AZ 85732, which actively advocates for consumer rights.
Lastly, feel free to contact us at US Funerals Online; we will be happy to help with any further questions about arranging a funeral or cremation service.
Resources:
Guide to Cremation Costs in Arizona
