Funeral Home and Cremation Fraud
What funeral home charges are actually legally required in California?
Short answer
Almost none. The only things truly required are: a basic container for cremation or a casket for burial, a transportation permit, and filing of the death certificate. Everything else — embalming, viewing, memorial services, upgraded urns, flowers — is optional. If a…
What this usually means
Almost none. The only things truly required are: a basic container for cremation or a casket for burial, a transportation permit, and filing of the death certificate. Everything else — embalming, viewing, memorial services, upgraded urns, flowers — is optional. If a funeral home says something is "required by law," ask them to show you the law.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county help for coroner contacts, vital records, cost tools, and paperwork.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.