Cremation Services
in Tustin and Orange County

Saddleback Chapel Mortuary provides direct cremation, witnessed cremation, and cremation with a memorial or funeral service, from its Tustin location serving all of Orange County. Direct cremation starts at 2,450 dollars. Families may witness the cremation with about a week’s notice, and at one of the two local crematories the firm works with, a family member may personally initiate the cremation, an option not every Orange County firm offers.

Cremation Options and Service Types

The following are common types of cremation services chosen by the families we serve. Each can be tailored to your preferences. Services can be held over multiple days or completed in a single day.

Cremation with a Traditional Viewing

Families who choose cremation can still have a traditional viewing or visitation with the body present before the cremation takes place. This gives loved ones the opportunity to say goodbye in person, hold a formal service, and then proceed with cremation afterward. The viewing can take place at Saddleback Chapel, at a church, or at another venue.

Cremation with a Memorial Service

A memorial service is held after the cremation has taken place, without the body present. This is one of the most popular options for families choosing cremation because it provides flexibility in timing, venue, and format. Memorial services can be held days, weeks, or even months after the cremation, giving family members time to travel and plan.

Memorial services can take place at our chapel, a church or place of worship, a restaurant, a reception center, a family home, or any venue that holds meaning for your family.

Cremation with a Church Ceremony

If your loved one had a connection to a local congregation, a church service followed by cremation offers a way to honor both their faith and their wishes. We coordinate with churches and places of worship throughout Orange County, managing all logistics so your family can focus on the service itself.

Private Family Goodbye Followed by Cremation

Some families prefer a brief, private gathering with immediate family members before the cremation takes place. This option allows for a personal moment of closure without the formality of a larger public service. A memorial service or celebration of life can be planned for a later date if desired.

Direct Cremation

Direct cremation is the simplest and most affordable cremation option. The cremation takes place without a preceding viewing or funeral service. Families typically receive the cremated remains within 5 to 10 business days and may choose to hold a memorial service, scattering ceremony, or private gathering at a later time.

Direct cremation is an appropriate choice for families who prefer simplicity, who plan to hold a separate memorial event, or who have budget considerations. It does not mean that a life goes uncelebrated. Many families who choose direct cremation plan meaningful services in their own way and on their own timeline.

Cremation Followed by Burial or Interment

Cremated remains can be buried in a cemetery, placed in a columbarium niche, or interred in a family plot. This option combines the flexibility of cremation with a permanent resting place that family members can visit. Many cemeteries in Orange County offer dedicated sections for cremation burial, and some allow interment of cremated remains in existing family plots.

What to Do with Cremated Remains

One of the advantages of cremation is the range of options available for the final disposition of the remains. Families are not limited to a single choice, and in many cases, remains can be divided among family members. Here are the most common options:

Cemetery Burial. Cremated remains can be buried in a standard grave, a cremation-specific plot, or an existing family plot at cemeteries throughout Orange County.
Columbarium Niche. A columbarium is a structure designed to hold urns in individual niches. Many cemeteries and churches offer columbarium options.
Scattering. California law permits scattering of cremated remains at sea (at least 500 yards from shore), on private property with owner permission, or in designated scattering areas at certain cemeteries and memorial parks.
Home Display. Many families choose to keep the cremated remains at home in a decorative urn, on a mantel, or in a special location.
Keepsake Urns and Memorial Jewelry. A small portion of the cremated remains can be placed in a miniature keepsake urn or a piece of memorial jewelry, allowing multiple family members to carry a remembrance.
Green Burial. Eco-friendly burial of cremated remains is available at select cemeteries that follow green burial practices, including hand-dug graves and natural markers.

Personalizing a Cremation Service

Every personalization option available for a traditional funeral is also available for a cremation service. Memory tables, tribute videos, live streaming, personalized music, celebrant services, and reception coordination can all be incorporated into a cremation service or memorial ceremony.

Choosing a Service Venue

Cremation services and memorial ceremonies can be held at a variety of locations:

Saddleback Chapel. Our chapel provides comfortable seating, professional audio/video equipment, and a reverent atmosphere for services of any size.
Church or Place of Worship. We coordinate with congregations of all denominations throughout Orange County.
Graveside or Columbarium. A committal service at the cemetery where the cremated remains will be interred.
Off-Site Venue. Restaurants, reception centers, country clubs, hotel banquet rooms, parks, or private homes.

What Communities Does Saddleback Chapel Serve for Cremation?

Cremation services are available to families throughout Tustin, Irvine, Santa Ana, Orange, Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Fountain Valley, Westminster, Newport Beach, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, and Orange County generally.

Saddleback Chapel Mortuary Cremation Service Packages (effective 01/29/2026)
Package	Itemized Price	With Saddleback Casket	Savings
Chapel Service with Viewing (Chapel), followed by Cremation	$6,045	$5,345	$700
Chapel Service with Viewing (Rose Room), followed by Cremation	$5,845	$5,145	$700
Chapel Service without Viewing, followed by Cremation	$5,345	$4,795	$550
Cremation followed by Memorial Service	$4,995	$4,595	$400

Note: Prices above do not include the cremation fee, which is billed separately ($300 for decedents under 300 lbs; determined by weight above 300 lbs, per Pricing GPL PR-L8). These packages also do not reflect our lowest-cost option — Direct Cremation, with no accompanying service, starts at $2,450 as a base package (Pricing GPL PRC-01), before any add-on services such as those shown above.

Why Choose This Firm for Cremation

Direct cremation starting at 2,450 dollars, documented on the current General Price List effective January 29, 2026.
Family witnessing available at two different local crematories, chosen based on group size.
At one local crematory, a family member may personally initiate the cremation, a meaningful option for some religious and cultural traditions.
Cremation may be combined with a chapel service, a memorial service, or a graveside service afterward.
Independent, family owned firm since 1963, not a corporate cremation-only provider.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cremation

Can we witness the cremation?

Yes. Witnessing can be arranged at the local crematory we use, typically with about a week’s notice, for three to five people. A second local crematory can accommodate a larger group of ten to twelve.

Can a family member start the cremation?

It depends on the crematory. At the one we use most often, a witnessing family may help place the loved one into the retort but does not push the button. At the other local crematory, a family member may push the button.

Is there a viewing window into the crematory?

No. Families who witness are present on the open floor where the process takes place rather than viewing through a separate window.

How soon can the cremation happen?

California requires a signed death certificate and permit first, so the normal timing is about five days. A witnessed cremation needs about a week’s notice so the firm can schedule the right crematory for your group size.

Does Saddleback Chapel own the crematory?

No. Cremations take place at a local crematory in Orange County. The firm coordinates all scheduling and paperwork directly with the family.

Can cremation be combined with a service?

Yes. Families may choose a chapel or church service with or without viewing before the cremation, or a memorial service afterward, each priced separately on the General Price List.

We Are Here to Help You Through This Decision

Choosing between cremation and burial, and deciding on the right type of service, are deeply personal decisions. The funeral directors at Saddleback Chapel Mortuary will answer your questions, explain your options, and support you through every step. Call us at (714) 544-1450 or visit us at 220 East Main Street, Tustin, CA 92780. We are available 24 hours a day, every day.

Cremation Services in Tustin and Orange County