Allen Mortuary

We have years of experience in arranging for transfer to and from Mexico. Embalming will be required. Additional costs will include airline fees, transportation to Sacramento International Airport, international document filings and preparation, and cost of a basic air tray as required by airline.

When death occurs away from home, Allen Mortuary can assist you with out-of-area and out-of-state arrangements. We can also organize transfer of the deceased back to other preferred locations. We work with other funeral homes and known airlines that can transport the deceased.

The decision of whether or not to approach the casket is a very individual one. It is not required or considered rude if you decide against it. Many people find that viewing the deceased helps them accept the loss and move on.

Absolutely. In fact, more and more people are opting for a more non-traditional personalized service. There is no right or wrong way to celebrate somebody's life. There are many unique ways to celebrate life, let your Arrangement Counselor know exactly what your desires are and they will honor your wishes.

The term we use is a Direct Cremation. Our pricing and more information can be found on our cremation options page. It includes the basic services of our staff, transfer of the body to the mortuary, refrigeration and cremation. Basically a direct cremation just does not include a service or viewing for the decedent. It is the least expensive option.

Cremated remains ('cremains') resemble coarse sand and are whitish to light grey in color. The remains of an average size adult usually weigh between four and six pounds. They are carefully sealed in a heavy plastic bag with an ID tag within. Then the bag is inserted into the urn of choice and the urn is tightly closed. The urn is labeled with required identifying information. Our staff will then call the contact person for pickup. Urns are safely stored in our facilities until time of pick up. Cremains can also be shipped anywhere via US mail to the documented recipient.

We have a rigorous set of operating policies and procedures to maximize the level of service and minimize the potential for human error. Many of these procedures are a requirement by the state's Cemetery & Funeral Bureau, who regulates, monitors and develops rules for the state's licensed funeral homes and crematories. In addition, we have our own on-site crematory facilities. This means that your deceased loved one never leaves our care.

Never. It illegal to do so. It is also illegal to cremate a human with a pet/animal.

This is very common. We prepare your loved one for viewing and they are placed into a sterilized liner within a rental casket. Cremation occurs at a later date.

Some people find it difficult to make this step. We understand. Please try to visit us and pick up your loved one within 12 months of death.

Embalming sanitizes and preserves the deceased, retards the decomposition process and enhances the appearance of someone disfigured by traumatic death or illness. Embalming makes it possible to lengthen the time between death and the final disposition, thus allowing family members time to arrange and participate in the type of service most comforting to them.

No. Most states, however, require embalming when death is caused by a reportable contagious disease or when a deceased is to be transported from one state to another by common carrier, or if final disposition is not to be made within a prescribed number of hours.