Cremation and Funeral Plans

What does “Direct Cremation” Really Mean?

Direct Cremation means your loved one is brought into our care, cremated, and returned to you without service, ceremony or other rites. When it comes to direct cremations in San Diego, there are not many places you can go, unless you go to high cost corporate facilities. Many independent local funeral homes in San Diego county “outsource” or “third party” their cremations, meaning, they use another company, usually 1 to 2 hours away for cremation service, and having the remains returned or picked up in 1 to 2 weeks.

Witness Cremation or I.D. Viewing is available locally at our facility, giving you and your family that extra comfort and security that maybe needed for peace of mind. Since our crematorium is onsite, your family will not be forced to travel to another location, sometimes being as far as an hour or two drive. You will never be denied the opportunity to witness the process or say goodbye for the last time before the cremation. You will always come to the same place, meet the same people, and appreciate that we know you and your loved ones first name. We will go above and beyond to accommodate your needs and wishes.

• DIRECT CREMATION

• $1295

• Transportation to our mortuary
• Refrigeration
• Arrangement conference at or funeral home or we come to you
• Processing of all Necessary Permits and Death Certificates
• Coordination with Dr. office, hospital, or Medical Examiners
• Notification to Social Security Office
• Death Notice in San Diego Union Tribune
• Alternative Cremation Container
• Black Temporary Urn
• Cremation Process
• Disposition Permit
• Department of Consumer Affairs Fee

Cremation with Memorial Service

Cremation with a memorial service involves performing the cremation with a service to follow and is one of the most popular options.  Your loved ones service may be scheduled soon after the cremation or it may be delayed to allow for family and friends travel schedules. This also allows for a longer planning process for personalization and family involvement. Each service is tailored to your needs, we can arrange a time of visitation, music, friends and family participation. During the service the urn could be present, we could arrange a traditional type of service or a “celebration of life” service. The choice is yours.

The Memorial Service should be as unique and personal as the individual, reflecting a life lived. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and stories, laughter and tears, a time of cherished memories.  Memorial tables containing pictures, memorabilia, awards, crafts, and anything defining the person’s life may be displayed. Many Memorial Services include music, pre-recorded or live musicians.

• CREMATION WITH MEMORIAL SERVICE TO FOLLOW

• $3,544

• Transportation to our mortuary
• Refrigeration
• Arrangement conference at or funeral home or we come to you
• Cremation process
• Alternative Container
• Memorial Service with or without Urn Present at our chapel for 200 guests
• Black Temporary Urn
• 100 Prayer Cards or Service Folders
• 1 Register Book
• Death notice in the San Diego Union Tribune

Traditional Funeral Service with Cremation

Our staff will tailor cremation services to suit your family’s needs and the wishes of your loved one. For a more traditional funeral/cremation service, you can arrange for viewing hours and a funeral service with your love one present. This type of tribute looks and feels like a traditional burial service with everything except an immediate procession to the cemetery.

Some may elect to have a public viewing of the body as part of their cultural, ethnic, or religious tradition.  Using this option, the body is embalmed and placed in a casket selected by the family or friend, or use our rental Casket. The service is held at their church of membership or a church of their religious affiliation, or at Cortez Cremations and Funeral Services Chapel.  The family may choose to have a visitation or receiving of friends before or after the service.  The Funeral Service may contain all or any part of the options offered for Memorial Services.  The major difference is that the body is present for the service. After the service, a time is arranged to perform the cremation.  Following the cremation the cremated remains will be returned to the family member with legal right or as instructed in the Final Disposition document by the legal next of kin.  This option is appealing to families who desire cremation, but do not wish to have their loved one buried in a casket at a cemetery. This concept creates a variety of service options, substantial savings, and allows families the opportunity to gather and have closure the more traditional way.

• TRADITIONAL FUNERAL SERVICE WITH CREMATION TO FOLLOW

• $5,554

• Transportation to our mortuary
• Arrangement conference at or funeral home or we come to you
• Processing of all Necessary Permits and Death Certificates
• Coordination with Dr. office, hospital, or Medical Examiners
• Notification to Social Security Office
• Death Notice in San Diego Union Tribune
• Embalming
• Dressing, casketing, and basic cosmetology
• 3 hour viewing and visitation at our Chapel
• 1 hour funeral service at your place of worship
• Funeral coach
• Transportation back to our crematory
• Cremation process
• 1 Register Book
• 100 Prayer Cards or Service Folders
• Black Temporary Urn
• Department of Consumer Affairs Fee