Opal Cremation vs. SoCal Cremation: Which is Best Suited to Your Family’s Needs?

This article compares Opal Cremation vs. SoCal Cremation so you can determine which is best for your family’s needs.

Table of Contents

• Opal Cremation vs. SoCal Cremation Price Comparison
• SoCal Cremation vs. Opal Cremation: Customer Service and Reviews
• Service Comparison
• Transparency is Key
• FAQs
• Additional Resources

Key Takeaways

• Opal Cremation and SoCal Cremation are popular companies in the Southern California cremation industry. Which offers the most transparent and valuable services? This article compares the two head-to-head.
• When consumers look for cremation providers, they often consider factors like cost, customer service, and transparency.
• Many companies claim to offer low-cost cremation, excellent service, and full transparency, but not all do. Some take advantage of customers’ emotional states and lack of experience, and surprise them with hidden fees.
• We considered transparency and factors like service and cost in our comparison. Opal emerged as the clear winner.

Choosing a licensed cremation provider can be confusing. Few people are familiar with the industry, and emotions run high, further clouding judgment.

Sadly, some companies take advantage of families’ emotional states and lack of expertise. That’s why it’s important to compare providers. 

This article compares two popular Los Angeles direct cremation providers: Opal Cremation and SoCal Cremation. Learn which is best suited to your needs.

“Because of the nature of funerals, the buyer is in quite a different position from someone who is, for example, in the market for a car. While a reasonable car consumer might solicit advice from friends or consult a company’s bulletin, a funeral consumer is completely at sea without a reasonable landmark or bearing to guide them.”

Jessica Mitford from her book The American Way of Death

Opal Cremation vs. SoCal Cremation Overview

Let’s look at both companies to see how they compare.

Opal Cremation

Opal Cremation is a direct cremation provider that serves Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego. Our services include:

• Direct Cremation (including all permits and certificates): This option is straightforward and doesn’t involve a pre-service. Families can plan a celebration of life whenever they’re ready. It’s an affordable, environmentally friendly, and stress-free choice that allows families to say goodbye on their own terms.
• Cremation with Viewings: Families can arrange a viewing before the cremation, offering a chance to spend time with their loved one before the final goodbye.
• Various Cremation Packages: We offer a range of cremation packages from direct to traditional options, catering to different preferences and needs.
• Referrals to Ash Scattering Services: We provide referrals to ash scattering services throughout Southern California, assisting with planning to ensure a smooth process.
• Referrals to Eterneva and Parting Stone: We connect you with companies that help create unique memorials with your loved one’s ashes. Our team takes care of all the planning to ensure everything goes smoothly.
• Planning Consultation (Pre-need or At-Need): We assist individuals in preplanning cremation services, reducing family stress. We also guide families through planning after cremation.
• Hand Delivery of Ashes: Our caring staff can personally deliver ashes to families, easing one more concern.
• Remote Planning: Cremations can be easily planned over the phone, making the process more convenient.

Customer Review

“I wanted to let you know how very grateful my mother and I have been for your help in managing my father’s cremation and filing for death certificates. When I first called Opal, I was in a complete state of confusion and overwhelm, and at each stage, when I would have had absolutely no idea how to proceed, you helped with calmness, kindness, understanding, and sympathy. I can’t tell you how vital your support throughout this process has been, and how much it has meant that I could reach out to you for advice and help at every step along the way.”

Michael – San Diego, CA

SoCal Cremation

SoCal provides both cremation and burial throughout Southern California. They offer the following services.

• Direct Cremation is a straightforward and cost-effective process in which cremation occurs without prior service. Families often choose to host a celebration of life at a later date, allowing for personal and meaningful gatherings.
• Direct Burial: Similar to direct cremation, this option does not include formal services. Instead, the body is buried directly. It’s a simple choice for those preferring burial over cremation.
• Funeral Services: Families have the option to hold a service prior to cremation or burial, offering a traditional way to honor their loved one.
• Prepaid Cremation: Individuals can plan and pay for their cremation in advance, providing peace of mind and reducing future burdens on family members.
• Shipping of Ashes: SoCal offers priority mail shipping of ashes to families, ensuring they receive them safely and promptly.
• Remote Arrangement: All funeral or cremation arrangements can be made remotely, simplifying the process and minimizing stress.
• Cremation with Viewing: This service allows friends and relatives to say their final goodbyes before the cremation process, offering closure during a difficult time.

Customer Review

SoCalCremations was absolutely wonderful. Sam was very kind and compassionate, he answered my calls if he wasn’t busy and returned my calls if he was. He made this whole process so much easier. If I called and got receptionist she was very nice. They are very reasonably priced and would recommend this business highly. If I could give 10 stars I would. Thank you for everything.

-Shannon Shaw

Opal Cremation vs. SoCal Cremation Price Comparison

Cremation cost in California is typically the first consideration when choosing a cremation service. So how do SoCal and Opal compare?

So far, it may seem like SoCal comes out ahead, but if you look carefully at what’s included in each company’s offerings, you will find many necessary services left out of SoCal’s packages. Once these are added, SoCal will likely be the more expensive choice.

SoCal Exclusions

For example, SoCal’s package does not include:

Direct Price Comparison

Meanwhile, Opal charges a straightforward fee of $1295 with no unexpected surprises. The following chart provides a side-by-side comparison so you can better understand what you may end up paying.

SoCal Cremation vs. Opal Cremation: Customer Service and Reviews

Customer service is another primary consideration when searching for cremation providers. People want to be reassured that their company will show compassion and provide prompt service, relieving their stress and allowing them to focus on healing during this emotional time. Unfortunately, SoCal falls short in this area as well.

Here’s how overall ratings compare across Google My Business and Yelp.

Considering common pain points, SoCal’s biggest complaint may be a lack of compassion during a difficult time. Some consumers cited that the company was rude and unfeeling.

Many customers noted the service took longer than expected. Several administrative errors led to misinformation, inaccurate identifications, and extended timelines.

Opal, on the other hand, has earned several positive reviews, establishing us as a trustworthy company.

Opal Cremation vs. SoCal Cremation: Service Comparison

Unlike Opal, SoCal offers funeral services, including traditional and direct burial. We understand that options are nice, but we remain focused on cremation, ensuring expertise in the field.

We have also been steadily growing our direct cremation services to offer:

• Ash Scattering: We partner with ash scattering providers throughout SoCal to help families organize celebration of life ceremonies. Our team will guide you through your options and make all arrangements to support a seamless process.
• Cremation Stones and Diamonds: Looking for something creative and meaningful to do with your loved one’s ashes? We can refer you to cremation diamond and parting stone experts to assist with planning.
• Preplanning: We are available to families that wish to preplan services, reducing the burden on family members at no additional cost. (SoCal also offers preplanning.)
• Reissuance of Disposition Permits even months or years after the cremation
• Guidance on Scattering Laws and Permits, ensuring you stay within your legal limits
• Ongoing Communication: We will address all concerns before, during, and after the cremation process.

Transparency is Key

While price and service are essential points, they ultimately indicate a company’s transparency. SoCal falls short in the transparency department for the following reasons.

• Lack of Straightforward Pricing: A lack of straightforward pricing leads to hidden fees.
• Confusing Price Guide: Their price guide leaves room for confusion, as additional cremation fees are not listed directly under the direct cremation pricing. Rather, they are hidden between the sections ‘direct burial’ and ‘funeral packages.’ The guide also states that prices are subject to change without notice, leaving customers uncertain about their charges.
• Poor customer reviews may also make consumers doubt the company. They indicate that SoCal doesn’t uphold its reputation as a trusted cremation provider.

A lack of transparency means a lack of trust. Families need to ask themselves: Do they really want a company that can’t be trusted handling something as important as a loved one’s cremation?

Opal is committed to providing transparent services. We have seen grieving families being taken advantage of, and we want it to end. Our Real Cost study aims to revolutionize the industry, while our trusted service indicates that an honest approach is key to success.

Opal Cremation vs. SoCal Cremation: Which Should You Choose?

SoCal Cremation may be an option for families considering funeral services, but Opal is the clear winner for direct cremation near me. We come out ahead with positive reviews, transparent pricing, and an overall honest approach. Our years of building a reputation as a trusted provider have paid off in a big way, and we are extremely grateful.

We understand that individuals have several questions about cremation, and we are here to help. Our team will address all concerns with compassion and care, guiding Los Angeles and Orange County families through our process for affordable cremation in Los Angeles

Contact us to learn more about what makes us the best cremation company in Southern California.

SoCal Cremation vs. Opal Cremation: FAQs

What type of cremation is best?

While preferred cremation types can differ among families, most agree that cremation with a memorial service is best. With this option, the deceased is cremated without a prior service, leading to a simple and inexpensive process. Families typically schedule a celebration of life at a later date.

Does Medicare pay for cremation in California?

No, cremation is not considered a medical expense. Therefore, Medicare money cannot be used to pay for it directly.

What should you look for when comparing cremation companies?

When comparing cremation companies, look at customer reviews, cost, what’s included in the service, transparency, and communication.

What are common hidden fees people end up paying for in cremation services?

People often end up paying credit card fees, shipping fees, transportation fees, overweight fees, pacemaker removal fees, and document processing fees, all of which contribute to pricing that exceeds the initial quote.

Why is cremation becoming more popular than burials?

According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the 2024 burial rate was projected to reach 61.9% compared to the current rate (33.2%) and is expected to reach 82.1% by 2045. Popular reasons people choose cremation over burial include lower costs and environmental benefits.

Additional Resources

• The Real Cost of Cremation in Orange County
• Burial vs. Cremation in Los Angeles
• Direct Cremation in L.A.: How Long Does It Take?
• What is Direct Cremation?