Santa Cruz Watsonville Cremation and Burial Service
5.0(32)
Santa Cruz, CA (831) 200-8428
- Cremation
- Burial
- Traditional funeral
- Prepaid
Pricing on request
Call for an itemized quote
Crematory · Santa Cruz, CA
Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel
4.9(141) Verified on Google
Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel is an independent funeral home in Santa Cruz, California, established in 2000 by Gary Benito and Vince Azzaro, both with decades of experience in the local funeral industry. The chapel is housed in a former 1950s greenhouse structure and offers burial, cremation, green burial, memorial services, and veteran services, among other options.
Independent, family-owned
Photo: Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel
Photo: Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel
Photo: Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel
Photo: Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel
Photo: Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel
Photo: Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel- Ownership
- Independent, family-owned
- Established
- 2000
About Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel
Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel was established in 2000 by Gary Benito and Vince Azzaro, who together brought over four decades of funeral industry experience to Santa Cruz. Benito began his career in 1977 at Norman's Funeral Chapel; Azzaro relocated to Santa Cruz from Fresno in 1985 and joined him there. The two formed a formal partnership in 1999, acquired the Chapel of the Four, and opened Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel the following year. The building itself is a former greenhouse constructed in the 1950s, and original copper pipes from that use remain in the floor. The structure previously operated under a glass roof as the Irvin M. Smith & Sons Chapel of the Seasons until a 2003 remodel removed the ceiling to improve acoustics.
Typical cremation prices in Santa Cruz
Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel doesn't publish prices online. As a reference, providers in Santa Cruz typically charge:
Low
$100
Typical
$984
High
$2,975
City-wide figures from 15 published prices — not Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel's own rates. Under the FTC Funeral Rule, they must give you an itemized price list on request, in person or by phone.
Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel packages
Burial Services
- essential services of funeral director and staff
- removal and transportation to cemetery within Santa Cruz county during business hours
- care of loved one until burial complete
- consultation with responsible party
- necessary permits and authorizations
- free self-service online obituary
Starting price listed but not specified. Does not include casket, outer burial container, or cemetery costs. Optional services available at additional charge.
Direct Cremation
- essential services of funeral director and staff
- removal and transportation of loved one to funeral home within Santa Cruz county during business hours
- care of loved one until cremation complete
- cremation process and return of ashes
- basic cremation container
Starting price listed but not specified. Direct cremation without visitation, formal services, or ceremony. Prices do not include urn or other merchandise. Optional services available at additional charge.
Prepaid Cremation
Lock in cremation costs by paying ahead.
Funeral Preplanning
Arrange funeral in advance for peace of mind.
Packages and prices are as published by the provider and can change — always confirm the itemized list directly.
Services offered
- Cremation
- Funeral homes
- Prepaid funeral
Facilities
- Reception space
Recognition & specialties
Specialties
- veteran funeral services
- green burial
- ash scattering
- human composting through partner
- memorial diamonds through partner
- certified celebrant services
Where is Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel?
1050 Cayuga St, Santa Cruz, CA
Get directionsHours
- Monday
- 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday
- 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday
- 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday
- 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday
- 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday
- 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel reviews
Updated July 20264.9
4.9
141 reviews
Rating from Google · updated July 2026
4.9 from 141 reviews on google
What cremation prices usually include
General context, not specific to Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel: a typical cremation price covers the items on the left. Those on the right are common add-ons billed separately — ask for an itemized list.
Included
- Transfer of the deceased into the provider's care
- The cremation itself and crematory fee
- A basic cremation container
- Return of the ashes to the family
- Filing of required permits and paperwork
Usually extra
- A viewing, visitation, or memorial ceremony (that's a full-service cremation)
- An urn beyond the basic container
- Certified copies of the death certificate
- Flowers, obituary notices, or catering
Frequently asked questions
Does Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel have an on-site crematory?
No, Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel does not operate an on-site crematory.
Does Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel have an on-site cemetery?
No, Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel does not operate an on-site cemetery.
Does Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel offer pet cremation?
No, pet cremation is not offered.
Does Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel offer grief therapy?
No, licensed grief therapy is not offered, but aftercare and grief support services are available.
What services does Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel offer?
Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel offers cremation, funeral homes and prepaid, and is a crematory. See the full breakdown and prices on this page.
Where is Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel located?
Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel is located at 1050 Cayuga St, Santa Cruz, CA. Use the “Get directions” link on this page for a map.
Can I reach Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel after hours?
Yes — Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel in Santa Cruz, CA answers its phones 24 hours a day, so you can reach someone the moment you need to, including nights and weekends.
Will Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel give me an itemized price list?
Yes. The federal FTC Funeral Rule requires every funeral home to give you a written, itemized General Price List on request — in person or over the phone — and to let you choose only the goods and services you want. Always compare a couple of providers before deciding.
Planning a cremation in Santa Cruz?
Compare nearby providers
Other cremation and funeral providers in and around Santa Cruz.
From
$1,670
Direct Cremation
From
$984
Attended Ash Scattering at Sea (1-38 pax)
Pricing on request
Call for an itemized quote
From
$1,650
Direct Cremation
Pricing on request
Call for an itemized quote
Is this your business?
Claim Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel to keep your prices, hours, and details accurate — for free.