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Funeral Homes and Funeral Services in San Mateo County serving Atherton, Belmont, Brisbane, Broadmoor Village, Burlingame, Colma, Daly City, El Granada, Emerald Hills, Foster City, Half Moon Bay, Hillsborough, La Honda, Loma Mar, Menlo Park, Millbrae, Montara, Moss Beach, Pacifica, Palomar Park, Pescadero, Portola Valley, Princeton by the Sea, Redwood City, San Bruno, San Carlos, San Gregorio, San Mateo, Sharp Park, South SF, West Menlo Park and Woodside

How to Find the Best Funeral Homes in San Mateo County CA

When a loved one dies, grief can overwhelm the survivors. Arrangements for funerals, cremation, interment or memorial services are often too difficult to manage personally and so are best left in the caring hands of reliable funeral homes, funeral planners and mortuaries in San Mateo County.

The following research by The Prime Buyer's Report identifies the best funeral providers in San Mateo County and issues related to funeral services.

How to Find the Best Funeral Homes in San Mateo County CA 

If you are in need of a funeral home, memorial or wake, you need help fast. Funeral services in San Mateo County include classic memorial services at funeral homes where family and friends can gather to remember and honor their loved one. Arrangements for transportation of the body to the funeral home, and subsequent transportation to a final resting place are easily handled by these professionals. In addition, personnel at top rated funeral homes in Redwood City, South SF and Burlingame are generally available 24 hours a day, and have a wealth of information about floral tributes, churches, cemeteries, cremation, crematoriums and any funeral-related issues.

Funeral Homes in San Mateo County Perform a Variety of Services
There is so much to consider when choosing between funeral homes in San Mateo County. Depending on how large or small of a service you are seeking, the choices and prices can vary widely. Planning a funeral or memorial service requires coordinating myriad services, filling out paperwork, contacting friends and family, scheduling, gathering of relevant and necessary documents and more, all while in the process of grieving.

To top it off, generally your window of planning is very short—typically less than two weeks. It can be overwhelming. Good funeral homes in San Mateo County will help you. Do you want a service at the funeral home, or somewhere else? Will there be a burial or cremation? Do you want music, a particular clergy, flowers, catering, speakers, photos of the deceased to display, an obituary printed in the newspaper, limousines or something else? What is legally required?

To avoid having to make difficult decisions during a time of great stress and emotion, many are now pre-planning memorial services. Many funeral homes in Redwood City, South SF and Burlingame offer discounts or locked-in prices for making and paying for funeral arrangements ahead of time. Should you choose this, it's a good idea to review your decisions every few years and revise them accordingly.

It is not generally known that you are not legally required to use San Mateo County funeral homes to plan and conduct funerals. If you choose to use the services of a local funeral home, it pays to shop around. During a face-to-face visit, the funeral home is required by law to give you a general price list itemizing the cost of items and services the home offers. If this list does not show the costs of caskets or urns, the law requires the funeral director to show you the price lists for those items before showing you the items themselves.

Another myth is that embalming is required by law. Some homes require embalming if there is to be a viewing, but if the body is buried or cremated shortly after death, embalming is not necessary or required.

The Funeral Rules
While most funeral directors and/or funeral providers have the best interests of their clients in mind, others may try to inflate prices or foist undesired services on their clients during their time of need. There is a federal law, known as the funeral rule, that helps prevent this. Among other things, the funeral rule states that:

• You have the right to choose the funeral goods and services you want (with some exceptions).

• Funeral providers in San Mateo County must state this in writing on the general price list.

• If state or local law requires you to buy any particular item, funeral homes must disclose this on the price list, with a reference to the specific law.

• Funeral providers may not refuse or charge fees to handle a casket you bought elsewhere.

• Funeral providers that offers cremations must make alternative containers available.

• San Mateo County funeral providers may not provide embalming services without permission.

• Funeral providers may not falsely state that embalming is required by law.

• Funeral providers must disclose in writing that embalming is not required by law, except in certain, special cases.

• Funeral homes in San Mateo County may not charge a fee for unauthorized embalming unless embalming is required by state law.

• Funeral providers must disclose in writing that you usually have the right to choose a disposition, such as direct cremation or immediate burial, that does not require embalming if you do not want this service.

• Funeral homes in San Mateo County must disclose in writing that some funeral arrangements, such as a funeral with viewing, may make embalming a practical necessity and, if so, a required purchase.

• Funeral providers in San Mateo County must not tell you that state or local law requires a casket for direct cremations, because none do.

• Funeral homes must disclose in writing your right to buy an unfinished wood box or an alternative container for a direct cremation.

• Funeral homes must make an unfinished wood box or other alternative container available for direct cremations.

Look for Funeral Homes in San Mateo County County That Do More Than the Bare Minimum
The Prime Buyer's Report lists these funeral homes in San Mateo County: Chapel of the Highlands - Funeral & Cremation Care Professionals, Bay Area Cremation & Funeral Services, Crippen & Flynn Carlmont Chapel, Cypress Lawn Funeral Home, Duggan's Serra Mortuary-Cremation, Skylawn Memorial Park, Crosby N Gray & Co, Garden Chapel Inc, All County Cremation Service, Neptune Society of Northern California. Other funeral homes and funeral providers that might still serve the Redwood City, South SF and Burlingame areas include: Spangler Mortuaries: Menlo Park Chapel, Roller Hapgood & Tinney, Jones Mortuary Inc., Sneider & Sullivan & O'Connell's Funeral Home, Redwood Chapel, Crippen & Flynn Woodside Chapel. Didn't find what you wanted with the TOP 10 Funeral Homes and Funeral Services in San Mateo County? Then click here to see additional companies in this category.

A funeral home should do more than just hand you a list of funeral services and wait for you to choose and cut the check. For the best experience when dealing with San Mateo County funeral homes, seek out those that are accredited, licensed and have received favorable reviews from previous clients or industry organizations. Check these things in our article, "Key Consumer Resources for Funeral Homes and Services in San Mateo County County."

 

 

Choosing the Right Funeral Home in Redwood City for you 

Know What You're Looking for from San Mateo County Funeral Homes
Hopefully, when you find yourself needing the services of a funeral home, you will have some idea of what you are looking for. Do you want the funeral home to handle paperwork and other arrangements? Do you want an expensive casket or something more affordable? Do you want burial or cremations? Some funeral homes specialize in different aspects of funeral services. Some offer alternative choices such as scattering the remains in unique places or ways. Some offer "green" funerals in which the remains are not embalmed and are buried in caskets that biodegrade quickly. Much of this can be researched on the Internet and other sources.

Use the list of questions below to help narrow your search.

• How long have the funeral directors been in the funeral home / undertaking business?

• What are the funeral homes' fees, broken down by individual services?

• Can the funeral homes provide forms for a newspaper obituary?

• Can the funeral homes provide a viewing without embalming?

• Do the funeral homes provide funeral services such as flowers, clergy, music, catering, etc.?

• What are your options at the funeral homes regarding cremation, burial and final disposition?

• If the body is donated to science, will the funeral homes still provide funeral services?

• Who does the embalming at the mortuary?

• How long after death is embalming necessary and can the funeral homes guarantee they'll be available?

• Is an obituary in the newspaper required?

• What are your options regarding time of service at each of the funeral homes and mortuaries?

• Do the funeral directors have suggestions for personalizing the funeral services?

• Can the funeral homes help with social security or veteran's death benefits?

• Will the funeral homes allow you to payments to pay for the funeral services?

 
It's very important that you work with a funeral home that you feel you can trust and makes you feel comfortable. Consider your first impression, beginning with the first phone call. Did you get a person, or an answering service?  Was your initial impression that you were dealing with competent professionals?  Did you feel respected and accommodated?   If you were offered a consultation, did you feel at-ease with the funeral director/provider?  Were you able to speak freely with him or her?

Probably one or two names will rise to the top of your list after you have considered these things.

First Impression of Funeral Homes
Good funeral providers will listen carefully to what you're saying and will ask relevant questions. If the employees at the funeral homes seem to only want to get you in the door, or try to make you sign an agreement without hearing something about your needs, choose someone else. You are not obligated to hire the first funeral providers you talk to.

When you've selected what seems to be the most suitable funeral homes for you, make sure you understand the terms of your agreement. Check for any consumer complaints from the Better Business Bureau orState Department of Consumer Affairs.

 

 

Tips for Dealing with Funeral Homes in Redwood City, South SF and Burlingame 

Try to Have a General Sense of What You Want or Require.
Despite the stress of grief and limited time, if possible, it's a good idea to have some idea of what sort of service you are seeking, what you wish done with the remains, e.g. burial, cremation, where you might like to hold the service, how many people might be attending and anything else that may affect the price or timing of the service.

Write it Down.
Before meeting with a funeral director, write down the considerations from the exercise above. By writing everything down you don't have to try to remember everything in the heat of the moment. Also, you can add to the list as other things come up.

Get Several Separate Quotes From Several Funeral Homes.
There are distinct differences in the services and prices available at different funeral homes. It's best to speak to several, if possible, to help get a base line for prices and options. Take the list you made specifying your needs so that each can provide a quote using the same parameters and you can compare apples to apples.

Choose a Certified, Licensed and Recognized Funeral Home.
Make sure the funeral home you are considering has proper licensing, not only for the home itself, but those individuals who work there, including the funeral director (there is a license for this) and the person doing the embalming, if you choose that service. Also, look for funeral homes that go the extra mile, those that have earned accreditations, membership or kudos from industry groups or consumer watchdog groups. Ask for referrals.

Choose an Experienced Funeral Home and Funeral Director.
Make sure the funeral home you choose has the experience and knowledge to handle your needs. This doesn't necessarily mean hiring the one that's been in business the longest, but it does mean finding a funeral home that has experience in all aspects of funerals, including cremation, burial, paperwork, ceremony arrangements and more.

Ask Questions.
Knowing what to expect is always the best way to feel comfortable. Sometimes people are unsure and afraid to ask the hard questions-questions about price, guarantees and so on. This is a difficult time, but you need to protect yourself by asking whenever you are unsure about any part of the process.

Know Your Rights.
Although it can be difficult to know whether or not a funeral home has acted in bad faith,  there are resources available if you feel a funeral home or funeral director has acted unethically. Reference the California Department of Consumer Affairs Web site to learn more. (See our article, "Key Consumer Resources for Funeral Homes in San Mateo County" to learn more.

 

 

Resources About Funerals in San Mateo County 

Regulatory Bodies & Trade Associations For Funeral Homes in San Mateo County

BBB Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.com/)
California Department of Consumer Affairs (www.dca.ca.gov/)
Funeral Consumers Alliance (http://www.funerals.org/)
Cremation Association of North America (http://www.cremationassociation.org/)
International Cemetery and Funeral Association (http://www.icfa.org/)
National Funeral Directors Association (www.nfda.org/resources)
Diamond Certified www.diamondcertified.org
National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association (http://www.nfdma.com/)
Federal Trade Commission Facts for Consumers (www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/services/funeral.shtm)



The Prime Buyer's Report provides information for the TOP 10 Funeral Homes in San Mateo County within the following zip codes:

94002, 94005, 94010, 94011, 94014, 94015, 94016, 94017, 94018, 94019, 94020, 94021, 94025, 94026, 94027, 94028, 94030, 94037, 94038, 94044, 94060, 94061, 94062, 94063, 94064, 94065, 94066, 94070, 94074, 94080, 94083, 94096, 94098, 94128, 94401, 94402, 94403 and 94404

Funerals Belmont CA

Crippen & Flynn Carlmont Chapel Belmont CA 94002
Neptune Society Belmont CA 94002

 

Funerals Burlingame CA

Byrgan & Co Burlingame CA 94010
Crosby N Gray & Co Burlingame CA 94010

 

Funerals Colma CA

Cypress Lawn Cremation Society Colma CA 94014
Cypress Lawn Funeral Home Colma CA 94014
National Cremation Service Colma CA 94014
San Francisco Funeral Flowers Colma CA 94014

 

Funerals Daly City CA

Duggan's Serra Mortuary Daly City CA 94014

 

Funerals Half Moon Bay CA

Miller Dutra Coastside Funeral Half Moon Bay CA 94019

 

Funerals Menlo Park CA

Menlo Park Chapel Menlo Park CA 94025

 

Funerals Millbrae CA

Chapel of the Highlands Millbrae CA 94030

 

Funerals Pacifica CA

Chapel By the Sea Funeral Home Pacifica CA 94044

 

Funerals Redwood City CA

Bay Area Cremation & Funeral Redwood City CA 94063
Crippen & Flynn Woodside Chapel Redwood City CA 94061
Redwood Chapel Redwood City CA 94061

 

Funerals South SF CA

Garden Chapel Inc South SF CA 94080
Nauman Lincoln Roos Funeral South SF CA 94080

 

Funerals San Bruno CA

Skylawn San Bruno Funeral Home San Bruno CA 94066

 

Funerals San Mateo CA

All County Cremation Service San Mateo CA 94401
Lifemark Center San Mateo CA 94402
O'Connell & Sneider & Sullivan San Mateo CA 94402
Sneider & Sullivan O'Connell's San Mateo CA 94402