Letting go of a loved one even after death can be a difficult thing to do. At least, with the best Calgary cremation services, you can keep your loved ones’ remains kept close to you.
Besides, cremation also offers affordability and convenience. So, to make things easier for you during such trying times, we’ve come up with a comprehensive list of the best crematoriums in Calgary.
If you want to know the different types of cremation services, or if you just have other questions about the topic, be sure to read up to the end of this article! But first, let’s talk about how much you may spend on cremation services.
Table of Contents
How Much Do Cremation Services in Calgary Cost
Cremation costs depend on the scope of services you’ll be taking. Here’s a table to tell you just how much you may spend on each step of the process.
| Types of Expenses | Price Range |
| Direct cremation | $0-$1,300 |
| Cremation with service | $2,800-$4,000 |
| Funeral | $3,000-$12,000 |
When you think of cremation, you usually think about bringing home the urn and your loved one’s remains. However, the government and other institutions also offer numerous options on final resting places for cremated individuals.
Here are the types of final resting places and how much they may cost.
| Type of Cremation Interment | Average Costs |
| Cremation plot | $1,200-$3,500 |
| Scattering gardens | $150 |
| Columbaria | $4,000-$5,000 |
| Mausoleum | $3,900-$10,300 |
| Ossuary entombment | $180 |
The Best Crematoriums in Calgary
Now, it’s time you choose a service provider from our list of the top Calgary cremation services. In this list, you’ll only find crematoriums with respect, decency, and compassion in dealing with a family coping with grief and loss.
1. Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services
| SERVICES | Funeral, cremation, memorial services |
| PRICING | Simple cremation: $1,795 plus GST Simple cremation with family viewing: $2,095 plus GST Memorial service: $3,795 plus GST |
| WEBSITE | https://www.choicememorial.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 4715 13 St NE, Calgary, AB T2E 6M3 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (403) 277-7343 [email protected] |
| OPERATING HOURS | 24/7 |
With a crematorium potential clients can inspect, Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Home offers direct cremation services and organizes funeral and memorial programs.
For cremation with additional services, Choice Memorial has numerous options for families to properly grieve their loss while still celebrating their loved one’s life. It even encourages clients to personalize their memorial service and bring any idea to the table.
Choice Memorial’s edge is that its founding members have worked with other funeral homes in the city. That said, this crematorium and funeral home knows how to stay competitive with its prices and quality of customer care.
Unlike other service providers, Choice Memorial guarantees that it doesn’t charge extra for cremations within 24-hours, cremation of more than 150 lbs, and after-hours or weekend meetings. It can even help handle the filing and processing of vital documents.
Despite its large complex, Choice Memorial has limited parking space. So, if you’re opting for cremation with memorial service, make sure you inform your guests of parking difficulties.
Pros
- No additional fees for special requests
- Unique options for memorial services
- 24/7 accessibility and services
Cons
- Limited parking space
Customer Reviews
Most customer reviews shared a great appreciation for Choice Memorial’s compassion and overall helpfulness. Here are some reviews from Choice Memorial’s customers to tell you more:
“My husband passed away unexpectedly and planning a celebration of life while grieving a sudden loss is extremely difficult. When I contacted Choice Memorial, their compassion and care in preparing for the cremation and completing all the required paperwork with one’s loss was such a relief. They went over and above to fulfill a personal family request which meant so much to me and my 2 daughters it was amazing. The staff’s kindheartedness went without notice to make things go as smoothly as possible during such a challenging time.”—Danette Rowley
“Kent at “Choice Memorial” provided us with excellent service for my mom’s cremation. He guided us seamlessly through all of the paperwork, service fees, choice of urn, forms such as CPP/OAS and the death certificate. His empathy was heartfelt and his expertise was outstanding.”—Davin Weber
2. Simply Cremations & Funeral Services
| SERVICES | Funeral, cremation, memorial services, death preplanning, grief support |
| PRICING | Simple Cremation: $1,195 + GST |
| WEBSITE | https://www.simplycremations.ca/ |
| ADDRESS | 5502 2 St SW, Calgary, AB T2H 0G9, Canada Hours: Open 24 hours Phone: +1 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (403) 265-6393 |
| OPERATING HOURS | 24/7 |
Simply Cremations’ main goal is to provide a hassle-free and affordable cremation service for its fellow Calgarians. It deserves a spot among the best Calgary cremation services because of its accessibility, with a location minutes from downtown and 24/7 operating hours.
It even creates personalized web pages for those who have passed. With this platform, families and friends can immortalize their loved ones by uploading pictures, videos, messages, and other types of tributes.
Simply Cremations also has complete facilities, like the crematorium and chapel, and an experienced and compassionate staff that’ll take over all parts of the memorial services.
More importantly, Simply Cremations extends its services even after the cremation because it has connections with numerous grief support groups for children, adults, and those with relatives undergoing hospice care.
Given that this company has a diverse set of services, there are also instances when its staff may miss tiny details.
Pros
- Accessible location at the heart of the city
- 24/7 accessibility and services
- Affordable pricing
- In-house chapel
- Long-term grief support resources
- Offers death planning services
Cons
- Some complaints about customer services and lack of attention to detail
Customer Reviews
From the filing of documents up to post-burial, Simply Creations can help in many ways, just as these reviewers have shared:
“Our sudden passing of our father. My sister and I came here! Kurtis Rae gave us great comfort in our fathers cremation! Very compassionate, friendly and kind. They even offer to handle All government paper work which is a amazing offer to take the stress off us! I would recommend Simply Cremation!”—Brittany Hunt
“Simply the Best Cremation and Funeral Service company in Calgary! Helped me out with 2 loved ones that passed away in 2020, experienced and professional cremation services, fantastic customer service and staff, created a DVD/Video for a Celebration of Life, Cards too, professional and high quality, reasonable, keep up the great work!”—Cliff Cassidy
3. Calgary Cremation Services
| SERVICES | Cremation, memorial services |
| PRICING | Starting at $1,295 |
| WEBSITE | http://www.calgarycremation.ca/ |
| ADDRESS | 304 18 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2S 0C3 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (403) 880-4084 [email protected] |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Now if you value simplicity, then you’d certainly want to know about Calgary Cremation Services. This crematorium exclusively offers cremation services, even accommodating witness cremations where families can say their final goodbyes during the process.
It offers three types of cremation packages, with the most simple one being a cremation with basic funeral services priced at $1,295. The moderate package includes all basic services, including acknowledgement cards as well as reception and catering needs.
Lastly, the premium package provides funeral products like flower arrangements, remembrance jewelry, and additional catering and reception services.
Calgary Cremation Services also has stand-alone services, including embalming services. It also has an estate settlement kit to help families file and submit the necessary documents for their loved ones.
However, some of its additional services are already inherent with other cremation and funeral homes. So, this service provider is indeed better only for simple cremation services.
Pros
- Available witness cremation services
- Offers funeral memorabilia and remembrances
- Three cremation package options
Cons
- Additional services are relatively costly
4. South Calgary Funeral Centre and Crematorium
| SERVICES | Funeral, cremation, memorial services, preplanning services |
| WEBSITE | https://www.dignitymemorial.com/en-ca/funeral-homes/calgary-ab/south-calgary-funeral-centre-and-crematorium/3681 |
| ADDRESS | 12700 Macleod Trail SE, Calgary, AB T2J 7E5 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (403) 297-0711 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday – Sunday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
Ạs a part of Dignity Memorial, South Calgary Funeral Centre may just be the best crematorium in Calgary for those who also want to hold a memorial service. This funeral home has a chapel and reception area that can accommodate at least 125 guests.
It also offers live music accompaniment, video tribute productions, in-home and overnight visitations. While it focuses more on funeral services, it also is a crematorium.
For its cremation services, Dignity Memorial has options for a private viewing suite and the creation of remembrance jewelry. It even offers home or mail delivery of cremated ashes so families can spend their days in the comfort of their homes.
With experience in almost all types of religious ceremonies Canadians have, Dignity Memorial can personalize a memorial according to traditions and other special requests.
This funeral home also offers death planning and event planning services.
Pros
- Chapel and reception area with large capacity
- Accommodates all types of religions and requests
- Offers death planning services
Cons
- Greater focus on traditional funeral services
Customer Reviews
Aside from its inherent features, South Calgary Funeral Centre also offers a responsive and friendly service. Here are some customers who found the best Calgary cremation services from this company:
“My mom had purchased her cremation 20 years ago with the First Memorial Society. This made the whole process so easy for us. With Covid we were able to do everything online.The staff were quick to answer questions and so pleasant and friendly. I would recommend First Memorial to anyone who is or will be looking towards services for a loved one.”—Arlene O’brien
“The staff was very accommodating and thoughtful in our time of sorrow. They took care of all our needs in a very comforting way.”—Val Manikiam
5. Leyden’s Funeral Home – Calgary
| SERVICES | Funeral, cremation, memorial services |
| WEBSITE | https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/leydens-calgary |
| ADDRESS | 304 18 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2S 0C3 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (403) 228-4422 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday – Sunday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
Leyden’s Funeral Home is yet another standout crematorium in the city. One of the main unique features of this service provider is that it accommodates requests such as bathing and dressing before cremation.
This service provider also has physical and digital options for memorials. For physical memorial services, it offers its wheelchair-accessible 180-capacity chapel that’s complete with audiovisual equipment
After cremation, families can then choose whether to create cremation keepsakes from the remains or to place urns in sacred final resting places. With its partner cemetery, Leyden’s clients can use indoor and outdoor niches, burial grounds, cremation gardens, nature walks, memorial trees, and monumental markers.
Leyden’s Funeral Home also has funeral and cremation pre-planning services for those who want to secure an otherwise inevitable future. But with all the benefits, this provider still has its faults as clients have raised concerns about its customer services.
Pros
- Numerous options for final resting places
- Large and accessible chapel and parking space
- Accommodates special requests and religious ritual
Cons
- Some complaints about customer services
Customer Reviews
Customers have also praised Leyden’s Funeral Homes for its informative approach and attention to detail. Read these reviews to know more:
“The people here are great. Very kind and understanding. They give you all the information you need to know, and explain it nicely. I greatly appreciate there service to my family”—Hedric Teensma
“Wow, I can’t tell you what a wonderful experience I had with Rachel and Lisa at Leyden’s this past November when my aunt passed away suddenly. Even though we were taking probably the smallest cremation package they offered they treated me and my mother with such care and attention. We had to go in to identify the body and they really went the extra mile to make it a really special moment with my aunt (lit a candle, dressed her with care and they even put a little ball of yarn that they found in the bag with her clothes in her hands.). I can’t recommend them enough, they truly truly care and I’m incredibly grateful.”—Cecilia Moorcroft
Types of Cremation Services
1. Cremation with traditional service
This may be the most costly option because it involves traditional funeral services, including embalming, casket rental, visitation, and memorial. The cremation will come after these services.
2. Cremation with memorial service
This happens when cremation goes first before a memorial service. This is less costly than the first option because you can skip the embalming and rental processes and just pay for cremation and program organization.
3. Silent or direct cremation
This is the cheapest option. After your loved one’s death, you can then request cremation services, then you’ll receive their remains in an urn which you can take home or bring to other final resting places.
4. Cremation with body donation
This is for those who want to donate organs or their whole body for scientific use. The body will only be cremated once the scientific institutions return them.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cremation Services
That concludes our list of providers of the best Calgary cremation services. All you need to do now is to contact any of these funeral homes and crematoriums and they’ll be by your side as you get through this tough journey.
If you know any funeral homes or crematoriums worthy of being called the best in the city, leave us a comment. We’ll try our best to include them, as long as they pass our rigorous process.
Grief is a complex matter that’s hard to get through without any help. If you feel that your pain is overtaking your daily life, you can try looking up the best counsellors in Calgary to help you deal with the thoughts and feelings that come with losing a loved one.
