Funeral Homes and Funeral Services Articles
- How to Find the Best Funeral Homes in Contra Costa County CA
- Choosing the Right Funeral Home in Walnut Creek for you
- Tips for Dealing with Funeral Homes in Walnut Creek, Pittsburg, San Ramon and Richmond
- Consumer Resources for Funeral Homes in Contra Costa County
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Choosing the Right Funeral Home in Walnut Creek for you
There are differences between funeral homes. Not only between the services they provide, but their attitude, pricing, interest, compassion and willingness to work with your needs, not just put forth their own sales agenda. When you call, listen for their customer service levels, their responsiveness and cooperativeness. They can make some recommendations over the phone, but will probably suggest you come in to discuss the details, which is fine. When you make your initial calls, use the following as a guideline to help you choose the best funeral home in Walnut Creek, Pittsburg, San Ramon and Richmond for you. more »
Resources:
Tips for Dealing with Funeral Homes in Walnut Creek, Pittsburg, San Ramon and Richmond
Hiring a funeral provider can be harrowing since quite often people are trying to make important decisions during an emotionally trying time. In the heat of the moment it may be difficult to think of everything you may want to consider before going forward. Getting peace of mind is easier if you do a little investigating first. The following tips can make choosing the funeral home for you the best experience possible.more »
Learn:
Consumer Resources for Funeral Homes in Contra Costa County
Competent Contra Costa County and professional funeral homes are often affiliated with respected associations that strive for high ethical standards. The links that follow can help you learn about these standards and find a funeral home in Walnut Creek, Pittsburg, San Ramon and Richmond who abides by them. more »
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See related categories in Contra Costa County
How to Find the Best Funeral Homes in Contra Costa 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 Contra Costa County. Let the Prime Buyer's Report help you choose among the best funeral directors and funeral services in Walnut Creek, Pittsburg, San Ramon and Richmond and throughout all of Contra Costa County.Updated October 28, 2009
Top 10 Funeral Homes and Funeral Services in Contra Costa County
| A Special Touch Funeral Service |
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Send an email to this Company (925) 875-1343 11848 Dublin Boulevard Pleasanton, CA 94568 State License #FD1810 |
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Areas Served: Danville CA, San Ramon CA, Blackhawk CA, Diablo CA
Services: funeral services, cremation service, direct burial, memorial services, scattering of ...
Key Brands: Major League Baseball urns (MLB), LifeGem
| Neptune Society |
|
(925) 944-5100 1176 Boulevard Way Walnut Creek, CA 94595 |
Areas Served: Walnut Creek, Moraga, Blackhawk, Richmond CA, San Ramon, Orinda, Danville CA
| Hull's Walnut Creek Chapel |
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(925) 934-5400 1139 Saranap Ave Walnut Creek, CA 94595 |
Areas Served: Walnut Creek, Richmond CA, Pittsburg, San Ramon, Concord CA, Pleasant Hill, Antioch
| Oak Park Hills Chapel |
|
(925) 934-6500 3111 N Main St Walnut Creek, CA 94597 |
Areas Served: Contra Costa, Walnut Creek, Pittsburg, San Ramon, Richmond CA, Blackhawk, Danville
| Deercreek Funeral Services |
|
(925) 934-9000 1200 Mt Diablo Blvd # 107 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 |
Areas Served: Orinda, Walnut Creek, Concord CA, Blackhawk, San Ramon, Danville, Richmond CA
| Trident Society |
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(925) 932-2799 1620 Tice Valley Blvd # 100 Walnut Creek, CA 94595 |
Areas Served: Walnut Creek, Moraga, Concord CA, Orinda, Richmond CA, Pittsburg, Blackhawk
| Oakmont Memorial Park |
|
(925) 935-3311 2099 Reliez Valley Rd Lafayette, CA 94549 |
Areas Served: Walnut Creek, Blackhawk, San Ramon, Moraga, Orinda, Alamo CA, Pleasant Hill CA
| Moore's Mission Funeral Home |
|
(925) 682-1100 1390 Monument Blvd Concord, CA 94520 |
Areas Served: Richmond CA, Blackhawk, Walnut Creek, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill CA, Danville CA
| Sinai Memorial Chapel |
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(925) 962-3636 3415 MT Diablo Blvd Lafayette, CA 94549 |
Areas Served: San Ramon, Walnut Creek, Pittsburg, Richmond CA, Blackhawk, Danville CA, Concord CA
| Traditioncare Funeral Services |
|
(925) 827-2911 2246 Morello Ave Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 |
Areas Served: Danville CA, Walnut Creek, Blackhawk, San Ramon, Pittsburg, Concord CA, Richmond CA
How to Find the Best Funeral Homes in Contra Costa County CA
If you are in need of a funeral home, memorial or wake, you need help fast. Funeral services in Contra Costa 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 Walnut Creek, Pittsburg, San Ramon and Richmond 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 Contra Costa County Perform a Variety of Services
There is so much to consider when choosing between funeral homes in Contra Costa 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 Contra Costa 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 Walnut Creek, Pittsburg, San Ramon and Richmond 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 Contra Costa 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 Contra Costa 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.
• Contra Costa 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 Contra Costa 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 Contra Costa 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 Contra Costa 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 Contra Costa County County That Do More Than the Bare Minimum
The Prime Buyer's Report lists these funeral homes in Contra Costa County: A Special Touch Funeral Service, Neptune Society, Hull's Walnut Creek Chapel, Oak Park Hills Chapel, Deercreek Funeral Services, Trident Society, Oakmont Memorial Park, Moore's Mission Funeral Home, Sinai Memorial Chapel, Traditioncare Funeral Services. Other funeral homes and funeral providers that might still serve the Walnut Creek, Pittsburg, San Ramon and Richmond areas include: Concord Funeral Chapel at Ouimet Bros, Connolly & Taylor. Didn't find what you wanted with the TOP 10 Funeral Homes and Funeral Services in Contra Costa 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 Contra Costa 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 Contra Costa County County."
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Choosing the Right Funeral Home in Walnut Creek for you
Know What You're Looking for from Contra Costa 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.
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Tips for Dealing with Funeral Homes in Walnut Creek, Pittsburg, San Ramon and Richmond
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 Contra Costa County" to learn more.
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Consumer Resources for Funeral Homes in Contra Costa County
Associations & Licensing For Funeral Homes in Contra Costa County
BBB Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.com/)
California Department of Consumer Affairs (www.dca.ca.gov/)
AARP (http://www.aarp.org/)
Funeral Consumers Alliance (http://www.funerals.org/)
Diamond Certified (http://www.diamondcertified.org/)
Cremation Association of North America (http://www.cremationassociation.org/)
International Cemetery and Funeral Association (http://www.icfa.org/)
International Order of the Golden Rule (http://www.ogr.org/)
National Funeral Directors Association (www.nfda.org/resources)
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 funeral homes in Contra Costa County within the following zip codes:
94506, 94507, 94509, 94511, 94513, 94514, 94516, 94517, 94518, 94519, 94520, 94521, 94522, 94523, 94524, 94525, 94526, 94527, 94528, 94530, 94531, 94547, 94548, 94549, 94553, 94556, 94561, 94563, 94564, 94565, 94569, 94570, 94572, 94575, 94582, 94583, 94595, 94596, 94597, 94598, 94801, 94802, 94803, 94804, 94805, 94806, 94807, 94808, 94820 and 94850
Funerals Antioch CA
Higgins Chapel Antioch CA 94509
Holy Cross Cemetery Antioch CA 94509
Traditioncare Funeral Service Antioch CA 94509
Funerals Brentwood CA
Ascension Burial & Cremation Brentwood CA 94513
Brentwood Funeral Home Brentwood CA 94513
Funerals Concord CA
Moore's Mission Funeral Home Concord CA 94520
Ouimet Brothers Concord CA 94521
Funerals Crockett CA
Wilson & Kratzer Mortuaries Crockett CA 94525
Funerals Discovery Bay CA
Bryant & Moore Chapel Discovery Bay CA 94505
Funerals El Sobrante CA
Smith & Whitter Funeral El Sobrante CA 94803
Funerals Lafayette CA
Sinai Memorial Chapel Lafayette CA 94549
Queen of Heaven Cemetery Lafayette CA 94549
Funerals Martinez CA
Connolly & Taylor Martinez CA 94553
Funerals Pittsburg CA
Dan Scales Funeral Service Pittsburg CA 94565
Pittsburg Funeral Chapel Pittsburg CA 94565
Funerals Pleasant Hill CA
Traditioncare Funeral Service Pleasant Hill CA 94523
Funerals Richmond CA
Fuller Brothers Funeral Richmond CA 94804
Russell & Gooch Funeral Chapel Richmond CA 94804
Schmidt & Dixon Richmond CA 94804
Stewart's Rose Manor Funeral Richmond CA 94805
Wilson & Kratzer Mortuaries Richmond CA 94804
Funerals San Pablo CA
Wilson & Kratzer San Pablo CA 94806
Funerals San Ramon CA
Grissom's Cremation & Burial San Ramon CA 94583
Funerals Walnut Creek CA
Deercreek Funeral Service Walnut Creek CA 94596
Hull's Walnut Creek Chapel Walnut Creek CA 94595
Neptune Society Walnut Creek CA 94595
Oak Park Hills Chapel Cremation Walnut Creek CA 94596
Trident Society Walnut Creek CA 94595
Funeral Planners Walnut Creek CA Area | |||
County | City-Area | City | Funeral Homes / Funeral Services Found |
Contra Costa | Walnut Creek CA | Alamo CA | 0 |
Contra Costa | Walnut Creek CA | Clyde CA | * see Concord CA |
Contra Costa | Walnut Creek CA | Concord CA | 4 |
Contra Costa | Walnut Creek CA | Cowell CA | * see Concord CA |
Contra Costa | Walnut Creek CA | Lafayette CA | 3 |
Contra Costa | Walnut Creek CA | Moraga CA | 0 |
Contra Costa | Walnut Creek CA | Orinda CA | 0 |
Contra Costa | Walnut Creek CA | Pleasant Hill CA | 2 |
Contra Costa | Walnut Creek CA | Rheem Valley CA | 0 |
Contra Costa | Walnut Creek CA | Saranap CA | * see Walnut Creek CA |
Contra Costa | Walnut Creek CA | Walnut Creek CA | 7 |
Contra Costa | Walnut Creek CA | Walnut Heights CA | * see Walnut Creek CA |
Funeral Planners San Ramon CA Area | |||
County | City-Area | City | Funeral Homes / Funeral Services Found |
Contra Costa | San Ramon CA | Blackhawk CA | * see Danville CA |
Contra Costa | San Ramon CA | Clayton CA | 0 |
Contra Costa | San Ramon CA | Danville CA | 1 |
Contra Costa | San Ramon CA | Diablo CA | 0 |
Contra Costa | San Ramon CA | San Ramon CA | 2 |
Funeral Planners Pittsburg CA Area | |||
County | City-Area | City | Funeral Homes / Funeral Services Found |
Contra Costa | Pittsburg CA | Antioch CA | 4 |
Contra Costa | Pittsburg CA | Bay Point CA | 0 |
Contra Costa | Pittsburg CA | Bethel Island CA | 0 |
Contra Costa | Pittsburg CA | Brentwood CA | 3 |
Contra Costa | Pittsburg CA | Byron CA | 0 |
Contra Costa | Pittsburg CA | Discovery Bay CA | 1 |
Contra Costa | Pittsburg CA | Knightsen CA | 0 |
Contra Costa | Pittsburg CA | Los Medanos CA | * see Pittsburg CA |
Contra Costa | Pittsburg CA | Oakley CA | 0 |
Contra Costa | Pittsburg CA | Pittsburg CA | 2 |
Contra Costa | Pittsburg CA | Port Chicago CA | * see Pittsburg CA |
Contra Costa | Pittsburg CA | West Pittsburg CA | * see Pittsburg CA |
Funeral Planners Richmond CA Area | |||
County | City-Area | City | Funeral Homes / Funeral Services Found |
Contra Costa | Richmond CA | Briones CA | 0 |
Contra Costa | Richmond CA | Crockett CA | 1 |
Contra Costa | Richmond CA | El Cerrito CA | 0 |
Contra Costa | Richmond CA | El Sobrante CA | 1 |
Contra Costa | Richmond CA | Hercules CA | 0 |
Contra Costa | Richmond CA | Hilltop Mall CA | * see Richmond CA |
Contra Costa | Richmond CA | Kensington CA | 0 |
Contra Costa | Richmond CA | Maltby CA | 0 |
Contra Costa | Richmond CA | Martinez CA | 1 |
Contra Costa | Richmond CA | North Richmond CA | 0 |
Contra Costa | Richmond CA | Pinole CA | 0 |
Contra Costa | Richmond CA | Point Richmond CA | * see Richmond CA |
Contra Costa | Richmond CA | Port Costa CA | 0 |
Contra Costa | Richmond CA | Richmond CA | 5 |
Contra Costa | Richmond CA | Rodeo CA | 0 |
Contra Costa | Richmond CA | San Pablo CA | 1 |
Contra Costa | Richmond CA | Selby CA | 0 |
Contra Costa | Richmond CA | Tara Hills CA | * see San Pablo CA |
Contra Costa | Richmond CA | Vine Hill CA | * see Martinez CA |
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