Cremation Cost in Denver: What's Included vs Add-ons

The average cost of a traditional funeral with burial in Colorado is between $7,000 and $12,000. Even a "basic cremation with service" at a full-service funeral home commonly runs $2,500 to $5,000. Direct cremation is fundamentally different: there is no embalming, viewing, casket, or in-house service, and the price reflects that. At The Simple Cremation, the price is $800 flat — and below is exactly what that covers.

What is included in the $800 flat price

• Transportation of the remains from the place of death to our facility (within our standard service area).
• Refrigeration and care of the body during the legally required waiting period.
• A state-approved basic cremation container.
• The cremation process itself.
• Processing of the cremated remains.
• A temporary urn suitable for keeping, transporting, or scattering the ashes.
• Assistance preparing and filing the death certificate with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
• Filing the cremation permit with the county.
• All professional services of the funeral director and staff.
• Service for individuals up to 225 lbs.

Optional add-ons (priced separately and only if you want them)

• Additional certified copies of the death certificate. Colorado charges a county fee per certified copy. Banks, life insurance carriers, and the Social Security Administration usually each want an original. We can order and forward as many as you need.
• Upgraded urn. Wood, ceramic, metal, biodegradable scattering urns, and keepsake urns for multiple family members are available at cost.
• Additional weight. Cremation of individuals over 225 lbs requires additional time and resources; the fee is quoted upfront before any work begins.
• Long-distance transport. Pickups outside the Denver metro and Front Range may include a mileage fee. Anything beyond the Western Slope is quoted individually.
• Witnessed cremation. Families who want to be present at the start of the cremation can arrange a witnessed cremation for an additional fee.
• Shipping of cremated remains. USPS Priority Mail Express is the only legal method; we charge actual cost.
• Memorial products. Cremation jewelry, fingerprint keepsakes, and scattering tubes are available through partners; we never mark these up.

What we never charge for

• Talking to you on the phone. There is no consultation fee.
• Forms, permits, or filings that are part of standard direct cremation.
• "Package" upgrades that bundle services you did not ask for.
• After-hours pickup or weekend pickup.

How hidden fees usually appear at other providers

When comparing prices in Denver, watch for: a low advertised "starting from" price that excludes transportation; per-day refrigeration fees that start on day three; a mandatory "minimum service fee"; required purchase of an alternative cremation container at a marked- up price; and "professional services" listed as a separate line item on top of the cremation fee. The Simple Cremation does not use any of those structures. The advertised price is the price.

How to pay

We accept all major credit cards, debit cards, ACH transfers, certified checks, and cash. Payment is due before the cremation is performed; many families pay using funds from the deceased's estate, a pre-need account, or a life insurance assignment. We are happy to walk you through any of these options.