Chapel of the Highlands ~ Funeral & Cremation Care Professionals

Cremation is the physical process of breaking down human remains by high temperature flame at 1400–2100 degrees at a crematory. Remains must be placed in a combustible cremation container. Remains are kept identified throughout. It is illegal to cremate more than one person at a time unless next of kin provides written permission. After cremation, larger fragments are processed further to reduce size. Microscopic dust particles may not be fully recoverable and are disposed of during cleaning, which is common in all crematories. Cremated remains are placed in a polyurethane container or selected urn and taken to a cemetery for burial, returned to family residence, or scattered at sea per family instructions.

Yes. The Chapel of the Highlands has offered cremations since opening in 1952, decades before cremation societies came into existence. Charges for direct cremation are comparable to and often below what cremation societies offer. The chapel offers personalized service and care for remains.

No. The Neptune Society is a chain dealing mostly in direct cremations. Chapel of the Highlands is 100% independent family-owned and not connected to other funeral homes or cremation societies. The chapel uses a highly trusted crematory at a local cemetery with a long history of reliable service.

The chapel's beautiful facility offers a wide selection of cremation offerings. Cremation societies are limited in what they can offer and are not equipped to provide full variety of service. Chapel of the Highlands offers direct cremation, immediate cremation followed by memorial service, brief viewing or simple service followed by cremation, complete traditional funeral followed by cremation, and unique personalized services. The chapel can also assist with memorial personalization including photographs, mementos, personal objects, and favorite music, and can project photos or videos via HDMI connection if available.

Yes. Options include: (1) Direct cremation followed by a memorial service at any time, with body not present but urn/cremated remains may be present. Personalization is ideal with photographs, mementos, personal objects, and favorite music. The chapel can arrange these items and project photos or videos if laptop with HDMI connection is provided. (2) Full traditional funeral with viewing and services with body present, followed by cremation after services rather than burial. Everyone to be cremated must be in a combustible cremation container; for traditional funerals the casket serves as this container and must be made of wood or hardboard material suitable for cremation.

Chapel of the Highlands ~ Funeral & Cremation Care Professionals offers funeral homes, and is a funeral home. See the full breakdown and prices on this page.

Chapel of the Highlands ~ Funeral & Cremation Care Professionals is located in San Mateo, CA. Use the “Get directions” link on this page for a map.

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.