To choose a natural funeral provider in Southern California, ask what is included in the price, which natural burial cemeteries they work with, whether embalming or a vault is required, and whether you can get an itemized price list in writing. Farrington Mortuary & Cremation, a family-owned funeral home serving Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties, answers each of these openly. This guide gives you the seven questions to ask any provider, what a good answer sounds like, and the warning signs to watch for.
Natural burial is growing. The NFDA's 2017 Consumer Awareness and Preferences Survey found that 53.8% of respondents wanted to explore green funeral services, and more cemeteries now offer natural sections. But not every funeral home is equally experienced with it, and the label "natural" is not regulated. The questions below help you tell the difference.
1. What Exactly Is Included in Your Price?
Start here. A clear answer lists the funeral director's basic services, transportation, the casket or shroud, and any coordination with the cemetery. A vague answer is a reason to keep asking.
For reference, Farrington's natural burial packages start at $2,640 and include basic services, transportation to the burial site, a biodegradable casket or shroud, and coordination with the natural burial cemetery. Ask every provider for the same breakdown so you can compare like with like.
What to look for: a package price that names each item, not a single number with a footnote.
2. What Will the Cemetery Charge Separately?
The funeral home and the cemetery are usually two separate bills. The cemetery typically charges for the plot, the opening and closing of the grave, a marker or plaque where allowed, and any optional services.
Ask the provider to estimate these costs up front so there are no surprises. A provider who works with natural burial cemeteries regularly can give you a realistic range.
3. Which Natural Burial Cemeteries Do You Work With?
Not every cemetery allows natural burial, and the rules differ. In Southern California, options include Woodlawn Cemetery in Santa Monica (Eternal Meadow), Hillside Memorial Park in Los Angeles (Gan Eden), Fallbrook Masonic Cemetery in San Diego County, and Joshua Tree Memorial Park.
Ask which of these the provider has worked with recently, and whether they will visit with you or help you call the cemetery. Experience with the cemetery's staff makes the day itself smoother.
4. Do You Require Embalming, a Vault, or a Specific Casket?
A true natural funeral does not use embalming chemicals or a concrete vault, and the casket or shroud must be biodegradable. A provider that pushes embalming or a vault for a natural burial is not offering what you asked for.
The Federal Trade Commission's Funeral Rule is on your side here. Funeral homes must tell you that embalming is not required by law in most cases, and they cannot require you to buy a casket from them. Ask the question plainly and listen for a direct answer.
5. Can I Get a Written, Itemized Price List?
Under the FTC Funeral Rule, a funeral home must give you its General Price List when you ask about services in person, and must quote prices over the phone if you ask. You do not need to visit first.
Farrington publishes its General Price List online, along with its funeral packages and pricing. When you compare providers, put the lists side by side and check that the same services are being priced.
6. What Materials Can We Use, and Can We Bring Our Own?
Natural burial calls for biodegradable materials: a shroud, or a casket made from untreated wood, wicker, bamboo, or similar. Ask what the provider offers, what the cemetery accepts, and whether your family can supply a casket or shroud you have chosen.
Under the FTC Funeral Rule, a funeral home cannot refuse to handle a casket you bought elsewhere or charge you a fee for using it. A good provider will guide you on what the cemetery allows instead of simply pushing their own.
A pattern we see often: families who bring a handmade or personally chosen shroud say it became the most meaningful part of the farewell.
7. How Do Timing, Involvement, and Planning Ahead Work?
Because natural burial skips embalming, timing is tighter. Ask how soon a service can be held, whether refrigeration is available, and how the provider handles a family vigil, home care, or helping with the burial itself where the cemetery permits.
Also ask about availability and pre-planning. Death does not wait for business hours, so confirm someone answers around the clock. Farrington is open 24/7 at (800) 674-3659. If you would like to record your wishes now, ask how pre-arrangement works. Our pre-arrangements page explains how to do this so your family does not have to guess later.
How to Use These Questions on the Phone
You can ask all seven questions in a single phone call. Write the answers down, and ask each provider the same questions in the same order so the comparison is fair. Notice not only what they say, but how they say it. A provider who is patient, specific, and comfortable with the word "no" when a product is not needed is usually one you can trust at a very hard time.
It also helps to call at least two providers, even if you have a favorite. Prices and packages vary, and the FTC Funeral Rule means you are entitled to the information before you commit.
How Farrington Answers These Questions
Farrington Mortuary & Cremation was built to be the opposite of a corporate funeral home. Natural burial packages start at $2,640 with services, transportation, a biodegradable casket or shroud, and cemetery coordination included. Cemetery charges are listed as separate items, the General Price List is available online, and a real person answers the phone 24/7.
Founder Lindsay Farrington and the team also arrange cremation, water cremation, burial at sea, and services for Hindu, Islamic, Buddhist, and military families, so you hear about every option, not just the one that is easiest to sell.
Red Flags to Watch For
Pricing that is not shared until you are in the office.
Pressure to add embalming, a vault, or a premium casket to a natural burial.
No clear list of cemeteries the provider has worked with.
Vague answers about what the cemetery will charge on top of the package.
Reluctance to explain alternatives such as cremation, water cremation, or burial at sea.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a natural funeral provider?
A natural funeral provider is a funeral home that arranges burial without embalming chemicals, concrete vaults, or non-biodegradable materials, and coordinates with cemeteries that allow natural burial.
Do I have to use a funeral home for a natural burial in California?
California law allows families to take a larger role in arrangements than many people expect, but most families use a licensed funeral director for transportation, paperwork, and cemetery coordination. Ask your provider what you can handle yourself.
Is embalming required in California?
Generally no. The FTC Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to tell you that embalming is not required by law except in certain special cases, so you should never be told it is automatic.
How much should I expect to pay?
Natural burial packages at Farrington start at $2,640, plus cemetery charges for the plot, grave opening and closing, and any marker. Ask every provider for an itemized estimate so you can compare.
Can I compare providers without visiting each one?
Yes. Funeral homes must give prices over the phone under the FTC Funeral Rule, and many publish their General Price List online.
Key Takeaways
When choosing a natural funeral provider in Southern California, ask what the price includes, what the cemetery charges separately, which natural burial cemeteries they work with, whether embalming or a vault is required, and for an itemized written price list. Confirm which materials are accepted, how timing works without embalming, and whether someone is available 24/7. Farrington Mortuary & Cremation offers natural burial packages starting at $2,640 and answers all of these openly.
Ready to Talk It Through?
You do not have to make these decisions alone or in a hurry. Call Farrington Mortuary & Cremation at (800) 674-3659 at any hour, or read more about natural burial in Southern California to see how the process works from the first call to the graveside.