The True Cost of Cremation in Arizona—and the Option Nobody Talks About

Cremation is often described as an affordable alternative to a traditional burial. However, affordable can mean very different things depending on where someone lives, which provider a family selects, and whether they choose direct cremation or a full funeral service followed by cremation.

For Arizona families, even a relatively simple arrangement may cost well over $1,500. Adding a viewing, ceremony, upgraded container, memorial products, or other services can raise the total to several thousand dollars.

What Arizona Cremation Prices Actually Include

Direct cremation is the least expensive conventional option. The deceased is transported to the provider, required authorizations and permits are obtained, and cremation takes place without a public viewing or funeral ceremony beforehand.

A basic direct-cremation package may include transportation within a designated service area, temporary care, the cremation process, and a simple container for the cremated remains. Charges can vary depending on distance, local permits, the provider’s policies, and any additional services selected by the family.

A full funeral with cremation is more elaborate. It may include embalming or other preparation, use of a funeral home for a viewing, staff and facilities for a ceremony, a rental casket, transportation, and cremation afterward. Families may also purchase an urn, printed materials, flowers, an obituary, or other memorial items.

Arizona Cremation Costs Vary Significantly by Region

The Funeral Consumers Alliance of Arizona surveyed funeral services providers across the state, examining General Price Lists to find the average cost of cremation in Arizona by region. Here’s what they found.

Southeastern Arizona Region

Survey of 43 providers in Apache Junction | Casa Grande | Chandler | Coolidge | Eloy | Florence | Gilbert | Globe | Kearny | Tempe

• Average cost of direct cremation: $1,720 
• Average cost of full funeral with cremation: $5,707 

Northern Arizona Region

Survey of 39 providers in Bullhead City | Camp Verde | Chino Valley | Cottonwood | Eager | Flagstaff | Fort Mohave | Holbrook | Kingman | Lake Havasu City | Parker | Pinetop | Prescott / Prescott Valley | Sedona | Show Low | Snowflake | St. Johns | St. Michaels | Taylor | Tuba City | Winslow

• Average cost of direct cremation: $1,987
• Average cost of full funeral with cremation: $6,024

Central Phoenix Region

Survey of 29 providers in Phoenix

• Average cost of direct cremation: $1,744 
• Average cost of full funeral with cremation: $6,073

Southern Arizona Region

Survey of 39 providers in Ajo | Benson | Bisbee | Douglas | Marana | Nogales | Oro Valley | Safford | Sahuarita / Green Valley | Sierra Vista | Somerton | Tucson | Willcox | Yuma

• Average cost of direct cremation: $1,575 
• Average cost of full funeral with cremation: $5,423

Northwest, Northeast & Southwest Valley Region

Survey of 39 providers in Avondale | Buckeye | El Mirage | Fountain Hills | Glendale | Goodyear | Payson | Peoria | Scottsdale | Sun City | Sun City West | Surprise | Tolleson | Wickenburg | Youngtown

• Average cost of direct cremation: $2,292 
• Average cost of full funeral with cremation: $6,204

Bottom line? The typical price of direct cremation differed by more than $700 between the least and most expensive regions surveyed. A full funeral with cremation averaged more than $5,400 in every region and exceeded $6,000 in three of the five regional reports.

See also: Why Everything Online Is Starting to Look the Same

Get Free Cremation When You Donate Your Body to Science

Whole-body donation provides an alternative for people who want to make a meaningful contribution to medical science, research, education, and professional training and receive free cremation in Arizona.

United Tissue Network is an accredited, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that helps individuals who wish to donate their bodies to advance medical knowledge and technology.

Once a donor has been accepted into UTN’s program, placement in the program is guaranteed, even if the donor’s medical condition later changes. At the time of passing, UTN coordinates and pays for transportation and arranges placement with an appropriate medical education, research, or training program.

After the donation is complete, cremation is also provided at no cost and cremated remains may be returned to the family if requested in advance.

Whole-body donation is not merely a way to reduce Arizona cremation expenses. It is a personal decision that allows someone’s final gift to contribute to healthcare education, surgical training, scientific research, and the development of medical technology that may benefit future patients.To learn more about donating your body to medical science, research, and education, or to start the registration process, visit the United Tissue Network website