How do I find a funeral home if my family hasn’t planned ahead?

How do I find a funeral home if my family hasn’t planned ahead?

While planning a funeral in advance can take the burden of planning off the table, it doesn’t always happen nor does it always make sense to do, and sadly, all too often, family members can pass away suddenly. 


If you’re looking to do a burial, consider this significant factor:


Location. Location is crucial as space constraints and price increases have become increasingly the norm. Consider where your loved one wanted to be buried or if they didn’t leave any indication of this, then consider where you would like to bury them. Is the cemetery you’re considering connected to a funeral home? If it is, they will likely expect or require you to use their associated funeral home. This isn’t always the case, so if you don’t want to use them, you should check with them to make sure they will allow the body to be prepared elsewhere. 


If you’re not yet sure where you want your loved one to be buried, you’ll still need to work with a funeral home to have their body prepared for burial. You should consider carefully where you may want them buried since you will need to factor in transportation if they pass somewhere other than where you are thinking you would like them buried. Most commonly, you will use a funeral home where your loved one passed and they will be able to transfer the body, post preparation, to the cemetery of your choosing. 

In terms of selecting a funeral home, the following steps may be helpful for you keep in mind: 


  1. Visit Funeralocity. Funeralocity is changing the way people compare funeral homes by providing families an easy way to look at all of the funeral homes in one spot.
  2. The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) has produced the website rememberingalife.com, which has a Find a Funeral Home section comprised of NFDA members/funeral homes. While this website doesn’t have reviews, it’s a good starting point. 
  3. Google the funeral homes you find in your area online, or start a clean search on Google Maps or Yelp. There are known to be illegitimate reviews of these websites, but you can hopefully trust that most reviews are genuine. Pay attention to the text of what people say and not just the star counts. 
  4. You can always call a funeral home and ask for a price list. They legally must provide you with pricing and you should insist you want it by email or phone if you don’t want to go through the hassle of meeting with a funeral director in person just to get a price quote for the sake of price comparisons. This will save you a lot of time.  
  5. Ask friends and family.

For cremation, you can go through a funeral home or look at more affordable options that originate online. While there are online first ‘funeral homes’ that just offer cremation like Tulip Cremation (CA, CO, FL, ID, MN, WA, WI), Best Cremation (CA), or A Cremation (TX), many funeral homes offer affordable, direct cremation packages online. Most of these packages range from $500 to $1,500, but vary by market. 


A direct cremation package means there will be no service or viewing, the provider will pick up your loved one, cremate them, and you will pick up the ashes at their location or they will mail your loved one’s ashes back to you via the U.S. Postal Service. It can be a great option to save a lot of money, and if you’re planning to cremate, why not consider spending around $1,000 vs. the $6,000 that many funeral homes charge for a cremation and viewing? 


Comparing prices and services for burials or cremation can be time consuming and difficult , especially if you’re short on time, so it’s best to consider these options we’ve outlined while your loved one is still alive. It can save you and your family a great deal of stress and potentially save you some money. 

1 comment

Eli Richardson
Eli Richardson

We’re glad you elaborated on checking a funeral home’s online presence when wanting to hire one. My parents want to pre-arrange their funeral plans, so they’d like to tour a few funeral homes next weekend, and I believe your insight could help them. I appreciate your tips on researching a funeral home’s past reviews first. https://www.merrittfuneralservices.com.au/our-services

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FAQs

What are the shipping options for my memorial?

Oaktree offers free nationwide shipping on all urns and cremation jewelry items, with delivery typically taking 2-5 business days, including processing time. Need it sooner? Expedited shipping (overnight or 2-day) is available at checkout for an additional cost, and we will also prioritize processing for faster delivery. If you need international shipping, please contact us first to confirm availability and rates.

How long will it take for my engraved item to arrive?

Engraved urns and cremation necklaces require an additional 1-3 business days for personalization before shipping. If you need faster delivery, please contact us—we’ll do our best to expedite processing and accommodate your timeline. Expedited shipping options are also available at checkout to ensure your memorial arrives as soon as possible.

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If your order hasn’t arrived within 10 business days, please contact us so we can track your shipment and resolve any issues. We’ll ensure your memorial reaches you as soon as possible.

What do I do if I received a defective order?

If your order arrives damaged or defective, contact us right away. We take pride in our high-quality craftsmanship and will work quickly to replace or repair your item at no additional cost.

Can I return my urn or cremation necklace? What is your return policy?

Oaktree offers a 100-day return and exchange policy for non-engraved items. Due to personalization, engraved urns are final sale and cannot be returned. For full details on how to start a return or exchange, visit our Returns & Exchanges page.

How do I make changes to an urn I’ve already ordered?

If you need to modify an order, contact us as soon as possible. If your urn is already engraved, we may not be able to make changes, but we’ll do our best to accommodate your request before processing.

How are your urns made? Where do the materials come from?

Oaktree’s urns are handcrafted in the USA and Europe using sustainable, locally sourced materials. Our artisans ensure each piece is beautifully designed and built to honor your loved one’s memory with care.

How do I choose the right urn size?

Each product page includes detailed dimensions, weight capacity, and cubic inches to help you select the right urn. As a general guide, 1 cubic inch holds 1 pound of pre-cremation weight. If you need help choosing, feel free to contact us.

Some urns are marked as “sold out.” When will they be available?

Our handmade urns may take a few weeks to restock. If you’re interested in a specific style, contact us for an estimated restock date, and we’ll notify you when it’s available.

Does Oaktree place the ashes into my urn?

Yes, we offer an optional ash transfer service for an additional fee. If you’d like us to handle this process, please contact us when placing your order. You’ll need to mail the ashes to us, and we’ll carefully transfer them into your selected urn.

How do I transfer ashes into my urn?

Cremated remains typically arrive in a sealed plastic bag inside a plastic container. To transfer them, simply place the sealed bag inside your urn. If needed, use a funnel for precise placement. If you have any concerns, our team is happy to assist.

How do I order an engraved urn?

To personalize your urn, select “Yes” under “Would you like your item engraved?” on the product page. If you’d like a custom design beyond standard engraving, contact us and we’ll explore options to create a unique tribute.

Can my urn be shipped directly to a funeral home?

Yes! During checkout, you can enter the funeral home’s address for direct shipping.

Can I customize my urn beyond engraving?

Yes! In addition to engraving, we offer custom design services, including unique finishes, symbols, or artwork. If you’d like to personalize your urn beyond standard options, contact us to discuss customization possibilities.

What materials are Oaktree urns made from?

Our urns are crafted from premium materials such as wood, ceramic, marble, metal, and biodegradable materials. We focus on sustainable sourcing and high-quality craftsmanship to create lasting memorials.

Do you offer keepsake urns or mini urns?

Yes, we offer keepsake urns and mini urns, which are smaller versions designed for sharing ashes among family members or keeping a small portion as a personal tribute.

Can I pre-order an urn for future use?

Absolutely! Many customers choose to pre-order an urn in advance. This ensures availability and allows for customization without time constraints. Contact us to arrange a pre-order.

Do you offer pet urns?

Yes, we provide a range of pet memorial urns designed to honor beloved pets. These are available in different materials and sizes to suit dogs, cats, and other pets.

How do I clean and maintain my urn?

Urns require gentle care to maintain their beauty. Use a soft cloth and mild cleaner for metal or ceramic urns. Avoid direct sunlight and moisture to preserve wood urns. Contact us for specific care instructions based on your urn’s material.

Can I travel with an urn? Are they TSA-approved?

Most Oaktree urns are TSA-compliant, making them safe for air travel. Choose a non-metal urn to ensure easy screening. We recommend carrying the urn in your carry-on bag and bringing the cremation certificate from the funeral home.

How do I track my order?

Once your order ships, we’ll send you a tracking number via email. You can use this to monitor the shipment status. If you don’t receive tracking details, contact us for assistance.

How do I contact Oaktree if my question isn’t answered here?

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