Funeral home · Poway, CA

California Funeral Alternatives

5.0(40) Verified on Google

California Funeral Alternatives is a family and veteran-owned funeral home with locations in Poway and Escondido serving San Diego County. Operating under California's 1997 consumer protection laws, the business emphasizes low overhead and affordable pricing while offering cremation, burial, visitation facilities, and specialized services including DNA preservation and scattering at sea.

Photo: Julie Randolph

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Starting price: $200

About California Funeral Alternatives

California Funeral Alternatives is a family and veteran owned and operated business serving all of San Diego County. The company was established to take advantage of California laws passed in 1997 that allow consumers to access price-effective funeral services without compromising quality and care. The business operates with very low overhead, maintaining no large facilities, expensive vehicles, or costly memberships, which enables them to provide services comparable to larger funeral homes at significantly reduced costs. They offer arrangements by phone, in-office, or online, with options including cremation, burial, visitation facilities, DNA preservation, scattering at sea, and free cremation with full body donation through Science Care.

California Funeral Alternatives prices

Price list published · source

Service prices
Refrigeration	$250
Rush Cremation	$300
Limited witness of cremation (without formal services)	$395
Infant Cremation - Age: Fetal to 1 Year Old	$550
Embalming	$600
Embalming after Autopsy	$650
Infant Cremation - Age: 1 to 10 years Old	$750
DIRECT CREMATIONS	$1,395
Cremation fee	$200
Scattering of Cremains at Sea (San Diego County)	$275
AirTray/ComboTray	$295
Bathing and handling, dressing of unembalmed remains	$350
ID Viewing at CFA	$395
Transfers	$450
Directing Graveside Service	$550
Directing Funeral Services at CFA or Outside Facilities	$550
Directing Memorial Services at CFA or Outside Facilities	$550
Directing Weekend Services, Saturday/Sunday	$550
Other Preparations	$550
Bathing and handling; dressing, casketing and/or cosmetizing of the embalmed dec	$550
Infant Burial - Age: Fetal to 1 Month	$650
RECEIVING REMAINS FROM ANOTHER FUNERAL HOME	$1,195
INITIAL SERVICES OF THE FUNERAL DIRECTOR	$1,395
IMMEDIATE BURIAL	$2,695
FORWARDING OF REMAINS TO ANOTHER FUNERAL HOME	$3,002

At $200, this is below the typical national range of $1,000–$3,000 for direct cremation.

Is this quote fair? Estimate your cost

Prices are estimates and change. Providers must give you an itemized price list under the FTC Funeral Rule — always confirm directly.

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Services offered

Cremation
Funeral homes
Prepaid funeral

Recognition & specialties

Specialties

Cremation services
Burial services
DNA preservation
Pacemaker donations
Scattering at sea
Free cremation with full body donation
Veteran services
Headstones and markers

Where is California Funeral Alternatives?

14168 Poway Rd #106, Poway, CA

Get directions

Hours

Monday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 AM
Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Thursday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

California Funeral Alternatives reviews

Updated July 2026

5.0

40 reviews

Rating from Google · updated July 2026

5.0 from 40 reviews on google

What cremation prices usually include

General context, not specific to California Funeral Alternatives: 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

How much does refrigeration cost at California Funeral Alternatives?

California Funeral Alternatives lists refrigeration at $250. Prices are estimates and can change — under the FTC Funeral Rule you can request a current itemized price list and pay only for the items you choose.

How much does rush cremation cost at California Funeral Alternatives?

California Funeral Alternatives lists rush cremation at $300. Prices are estimates and can change — under the FTC Funeral Rule you can request a current itemized price list and pay only for the items you choose.

How much does limited witness of cremation (without formal services) cost at California Funeral Alternatives?

California Funeral Alternatives lists limited witness of cremation (without formal services) at $395. Prices are estimates and can change — under the FTC Funeral Rule you can request a current itemized price list and pay only for the items you choose.

What services does California Funeral Alternatives offer?

California Funeral Alternatives offers cremation, funeral homes and prepaid, and is a funeral home. See the full breakdown and prices on this page.

Where is California Funeral Alternatives located?

California Funeral Alternatives is located at 14168 Poway Rd #106, Poway, CA 14168. Use the “Get directions” link on this page for a map.

Will California Funeral Alternatives 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.