Cost of Cremation in San Diego: 2026 Pricing Guide

When your family is dealing with loss, the last thing you need is a confusing bill. The average cost of cremation in San Diego is $1,408, but it depends on the type of service you choose.

This guide gives you real numbers, explains what drives pricing and helps you make a clear decision for your family.

Do you have questions about cremation costs in San Diego? Our team at After is here to guide you through your options with transparency, care and zero pressure.

You can call us 24/7 at 1-844-717-5170.

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How Much Does Cremation Cost in San Diego?

The cost of cremation in San Diego ranges widely based on the level of service you need. Direct cremation is the most affordable option. More involved services, like cremation with a memorial or a traditional funeral, cost significantly more.

Here's a breakdown of average cremation and funeral costs in California:

Direct cremation costs an average of $1,408 in San Diego. Prices range from $438 to $3,970, depending on the provider. A full-service cremation in San Diego averages $5,419, with prices ranging from $3,520 to $9,055.

After's direct cremation pricing starts at $1,446 in San Diego, significantly below the California average. You can check the exact pricing for your zip code on After's website.

What Is Direct Cremation?

Direct cremation is the simplest form of cremation care available. There's no formal viewing, no embalming and no funeral ceremony before the cremation takes place.

The provider transports your loved one into care, completes all required paperwork and permits, carries out the cremation and returns the remains to your family.

Many families choose direct cremation and hold a private gathering on their own terms, when and where feels right for them. It's a practical choice that keeps costs low without sacrificing dignity.

After's direct cremation service includes transportation, all required permits, a simple scattering urn and support from a Care Specialist who handles the paperwork from start to finish. Most families receive the remains within two weeks.

Types of Cremation Services Available in San Diego

Not every family wants the same thing. San Diego providers generally offer three levels of cremation service:

• Direct cremation: Includes transportation, cremation and the return of remains. No service or viewing is included. This is the most affordable option.
• Cremation with a memorial service: Direct cremation plus a formal gathering at a funeral home, chapel or other venue costs from $5,812 to $10,752 or more on average.
• Traditional funeral with cremation: Includes embalming, a rental casket, a full viewing and a formal ceremony before cremation. The average cost sits around $7,835 and can reach $16,532.

After provides immediate cremation services only. If your family wants to hold a celebration of life separately, that's entirely possible. After handles the cremation, you organize the gathering in your own way.

What Affects the Cost of Cremation in San Diego?

Several factors push cremation costs higher or keep them lower. Understanding these helps you compare providers fairly.

Provider fees vary the most. Traditional funeral homes carry higher overhead, like facilities, staff and equipment, and pass those costs to families. Online-first providers like After operate with lower overhead and offer more transparent pricing.

Permits and death certificates are required in California, and add a real but manageable cost. 

As of January 2026, each certified death certificate costs $26 in California. Most families order several copies for insurance claims, bank accounts and legal matters, so factor that into your budget. 

California law says you must apply for a Permit for Disposition of Human Remains. The cremation permit itself is $12. You can get the permit in person or by mail from the Office of Vital Records and Statistics (OVRS).

You also need a permit for cremation when:

• Shipping the remains out of the state or country
• Shipping the remains to California
• Scattering cremains on land or at sea
• Donating the remains for scientific use
• Temporarily storing the remains

You’ll need a permit for each location if the cremated remains are divided for placement at multiple locations. 

Urn selection also affects the total price. A basic urn comes included with most direct cremation packages. Decorative or custom urns can add anywhere from $100 to $500 or more.

Add-on services like memorial venue rental, a formal ceremony or officiant fees all increase the final bill. Direct cremation avoids these extras entirely.

How to Keep Cremation Costs Manageable

Cost pressure during grief is real. There are a few practical ways to reduce your family's spending without cutting corners on care.

• Choose direct cremation: Skipping embalming, casket rental and a formal venue removes the biggest cost drivers. Families can still honor a loved one meaningfully with a private gathering afterward.
• Compare providers before deciding: Prices in San Diego vary significantly. After's pricing starts at $1,446 for direct cremation. A traditional funeral home may charge more for the same service. 
• Ask about payment plans: After offers flexible payment support through LilyPay. Families can spread payments over 3 or 6 months for a flat fee. 
• Explore crowdfunding options: LilyPay also supports crowdfunding through Community Gardens, so friends and extended family can contribute to costs.
• Look into veterans' benefits: If your loved one served in the U.S. military, the Department of Veterans Affairs may cover a portion of cremation costs. The VA provides up to $1,002 for burial expenses and an additional $1,002 for a plot. For service-related deaths, that figure increases to $2,000. 

San Diego's Miramar National Cemetery serves eligible veterans and their families.

California Cremation Laws You Should Know

California has clear legal requirements that govern the cremation process. Knowing them helps you understand what happens and why timing works the way it does.

Authorization is required before cremation takes place. California law requires a signed cremation authorization form from the next of kin before cremation can proceed. After will handle this paperwork for you, or you can complete it remotely.

Transport comes first. After brings your loved one into care before all authorization documents are finalized. Cremation itself cannot begin until the provider receives full legal authorization, including the signed form, next-of-kin confirmation and the required permit.

Scattering remains is legal in California with some conditions. You can scatter remains in the ocean at least three nautical miles from shore following EPA guidelines. Scattering at parks and private property requires permission from the landowner or relevant authority. 

San Diego's coastline makes ocean scattering a meaningful option for many families.

What Happens After Cremation?

Once the cremation is complete, After ships or makes the remains available for pickup, depending on your location and preference. A simple scattering urn is included with every arrangement. If you want a different urn, After can guide you through your options.

Death certificates are ordered on your behalf. Your Care Specialist stays in contact throughout and answers questions as they come up.

Why Families in San Diego Choose After

After brings the cost of cremation in San Diego down without cutting out the things that matter. There are no surprise fees, no pressure to upgrade and no need to visit a facility. Everything from paperwork and coordination to communication happens on your timeline.

After's pricing starts at $1,446 for direct cremation in San Diego, well below the California average of $1,581. You can view exact pricing for your area in seconds.

Do you have questions about cremation costs in San Diego? Our team is available 24/7 with transparency, care and zero pressure. Call us anytime at 1-844-717-5170.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does direct cremation cost in San Diego? 

Direct cremation in San Diego averages $1,408, with some California providers charging up to $3,970. After's pricing starts at $1,446, well below the state average. 

What’s included in a direct cremation package? 

A direct cremation package includes transportation, required permits, the cremation itself and return of the remains in a basic urn. After also includes a scattering urn and support from a Care Specialist who handles your paperwork.

Can I scatter remains in San Diego? 

Yes, you can scatter remains in San Diego. California allows ocean scattering at least three nautical miles from shore and on private property with the owner's permission. San Diego's coastline makes ocean scattering a popular and meaningful choice.

Does the VA cover cremation costs for veterans? 

Yes, the VA covers some cremation costs for eligible veterans. It provides up to $1,002 for burial expenses and $1,002 for a plot or up to $2,000 for a service-related death. Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego serves qualifying veterans and their families.

Can I handle cremation arrangements remotely? 

Yes, you can handle cremation arrangements fully from home. After completes all paperwork electronically and your Care Specialist stays in touch by phone or email throughout the process.