[Elizabeth]

TW: death. My sister in law died in a freak skydiving accident this weekend. We are mentally trashed right now and are scrambling to help as we can.

Her 2 kids are very young adults and are overwhelmed.

She is from MN and we are in AZ where she died. Right now her remains are at the medical examiner and we need to figure out our next steps

Any insights on cremation services? Is Neptune society a good idea or a scam? Any other resources for affordable cremation?

Thanks for your guidance

[Korey]

When my niece died in an accident the county morgue was a good resource to share options for cremation.

They gave us a list of phone numbers and then let them know our choice so they could send the body when they were done.

If the kids want a lock of her hair or anything, ask the cremation place before they do it

[Nicole]

I’m in AZ. I believe this was the option I used when my dad passed unexpectedly in 2013. Looks like they still offer cremation for $895 which is by far the least expensive option compared to typical funeral home options.

So sorry for your loss.

[Christine]

I’m sorry for your loss. My mother had paid for Neptune Society’s services. It was done efficiently and considerately.

They picked up the body and had it cremated and delivered the ashes to her home.

[Karen]

Ask medical examiner’s office for referral for lowest cost cremation options.

Get her cremated, then you can buy an urn on Amazon, have items made from ashes later and you can help plan a family memorial service in a few weeks to a few months as it makes sense to you and her kids.

Thinking of you and her family at this shocking and heartbreaking time.

[Tracy]

I’m so very sorry for this unexpected and tragic loss.
I don’t have specific advice but just a few considerations…

I know cremation is the feasible and most economical option, but since her accident was away from home, as a family, you all may want to make 100% sure everyone who wants to see her and pay their final respects that way (if that’s an option basis her injures) is able to do so before cremation or just simply making sure everyone is ok with paying their respects as they need after if that is not a need.

So that could mean finding ways to transport her body back home first or having them come there to view her at a funeral home.

Praying all the best for you all during this difficult time.

[Cheryl]

I’m so sorry for your grief. I don’t have advice about a specific cremation service, but I do have a couple of tips from experiencing my mom’s cremation a few years ago.

If you want to have a lock of her hair for each of her children and/or you want to have her fingerprints saved, make sure to ask about this option.

Discuss the costs to ship her ashes home to MN – there are very specific laws about shipping human cremains, and having them handle this will save you a huge amount of stress.

(I wish I had known this prior to sending a small keepsake urn from AZ to my brother in WA.) Also, if the children would like small keepsake urns and /or jewelry with her ashes, consider if you want the service to handle this for you, or if they will be okay handling it themselves.

We had the funeral home handle all of this, including combining my father’s ashes from his death in 2016 with my mom’s ashes from her death in 2022.

You will also want to make sure to order several death certificates from the funeral home (or cremation service like Neptune Society).

It’s much easier to get now within this process than later from MN.

[Diane]

This is so devastating and I am so sorry for your loss. I just lost my father recently. This was in Philadelphia.

The cremation services were around $1400.

They went and got him and we got the ashes afterwards.

[Jonathan]

I’m sorry for your loss. Deep breath. You’ve got this. Funeral home near you will be your best resource.

We went through a death with family last year and they can do as little as as much as you need help with.

[Brie]

So sorry for your loss.
As a widow, if no one offers you this… don’t buy urns at the funeral home.

Get your urn on Amazon and take it to the funeral home. It’ll be a huge savings.

Ask your funeral director for a recommendation on size.

They are based on the size of the individual placed in it.

[Megan]

Elizabeth. I am so very sorry. Neptune Society isn’t a scam, though it isn’t the low cost option it used to be.

It’s now corporate owned.

[Natalie]

Contact your local county coroner’s office. Neptune Society is legitimate, they’ll spread her ashes at sea.

The state of CA has financial assistance for those who qualify based on income, assets, etc.

But I’m not sure about AZ or MN.

I’m very sorry for your loss.

[Pam]

I’m very sorry for your loss. I’ve had to arrange cremation for my husband and very recently for another family member.

Perhaps task a close friend, who isn’t emotionally devastated by this loss, to call around for you and get a few quotes.

Make sure the quotes include transporting your SIL.

I believe that alone was $700 this most recent experience. Hugs to you and your family.

[Joe]

That’s so sad. I’m sorry you’ve been dealt this.
I think like most have said, if cremation is the avenue you’re looking at the Coroners office can certainly give referrals of good local Funeral Homes.

Once you decide, the Home will pick up her remains for you.

Definitely ask for finger prints and we even asked for a whole hand print of our Son.

For his headstone we had one Laser Engraved with pictures of him and one was of his handprint.

It truly is beautiful.
GOD Bless you and your family.

[Tara]

My sincerest condolences. My aunt passed away in AZ (Tucson) and I really liked her mortician from Neptune society.

She had pre paid so I can’t talk about prices as I dont know.

[Shari]

I am so very sorry to hear this and am sending deepest condolences. This hits me hard as I was injured at that same facility (assuming it’s the one that happened yesterday in Eloy) 5 years ago.

I’m not sure if there’s anything I could do to help, but I do live in AZ (about a 90 min drive from that facility) and would absolutely be willing to lend a hand.

[Michael]

The county coroner will be your best source for cremation services. You don’t mention anything regarding her wishes but the most affordable cremation options are “direct cremation” with the crematorium.

Generally speaking, $1500-$2000 all in with some variation based on location.

[Author]

Posts