How much does Neptune Society charge for a cremation?

Neptune doesn't publish prices online, so you have to contact a local office for a quote. Reported direct cremation packages run about $1,950 to $2,750 depending on location, and totals past $3,000 are common once add-ons are included. For comparison, independent local providers typically charge $795 to $1,495 for the same direct cremation.

Why is it called the Neptune Society?

The name comes from Neptune, the Roman god of the sea. The company was founded in 1973 by Charles Denning, a California chiropractor whose specialty was scattering ashes at sea; families could even join the scattering voyage aboard his yacht. The press nicknamed him 'Colonel Cinders.' Neptune has run sea memorials since 1977 and today also operates the Neptune Memorial Reef, an underwater memorial site off Florida.

Is Neptune Society a reputable company?

It's a legitimate, licensed provider that has been operating since 1973 and is owned by SCI, North America's largest funeral company. It holds an A+ BBB rating, though it is not BBB accredited. That said, its prepaid sales practices have drawn serious regulatory action: a $23 million California settlement in 2024, a Florida class settlement of up to $209 million in 2022, and a Colorado settlement the same year, all over how prepaid plans were sold and refunded. At-need families generally report good experiences; the complaints cluster around prepaid plans.

Can I get a refund if I cancel a Neptune prepaid plan?

It depends on your state and contract. In California, following the 2024 settlement, plan holders can cancel for a full refund including money paid for merchandise. Elsewhere, complaints describe large deductions for cancellations after the first 30 days. Before buying any plan, get the cancellation and refund terms in writing and ask specifically how much of your money is held in trust.

How does Neptune Society compare with Smart Cremation?

They share DNA: Smart Cremation was founded in 2008 by Jerry Norman, a former Neptune Society CEO. Smart's packages run somewhat cheaper (its 2026 California price list shows direct cremation from $1,600 and packages from $2,251) but it serves only seven states, while Neptune operates in roughly 30 and offers extras like sea scatterings. Neither publishes prices on its website, so get quotes from both if you're in Smart's footprint.

How long does Neptune Society take to complete a cremation?

In most cases about 5–7 days, though weekends, holidays and any delays at the coroner's office can extend this.

What does Neptune's direct cremation include?

It's the simplest, least expensive option, no funeral, viewing, embalming or casket. The ashes are returned to you after cremation.

Can you hold a memorial without the body present?

Yes. You can hold a memorial before or after the cremation; it can still be meaningful even without the remains present.

National network · prepaid & direct

Neptune Society review

Neptune Society is the nation's largest cremation-only provider, in business since 1973 and now running more than 60 locations under SCI ownership. Families consistently describe the at-need service as prompt and kind. The prepaid side is a different story: its sales and refund practices have drawn three state settlements since 2022, most recently a $23 million California judgment in 2024.

Review updated September 2026.

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Our take

A capable at-need operator with real infrastructure, but the prepaid track record is checkered: three state settlements since 2022, all over how plans were sold and refunded. If you're considering a Neptune plan, get the cancellation and refund terms in writing first, and compare the quote against an independent local provider. The same cremation often costs half as much.

Best for: Families who want an established national provider with full memorial options and don't mind paying for the brand.

Reported from $1,950

Founded

1973

Coverage

60+ locations, roughly 30 states

Headquarters

Plantation, FL

Parent company

Service Corporation International (SCI)

BBB

A+ rating, not BBB accredited

Model

Prepaid plans & direct arrangements

Why families choose Neptune Society

The largest cremation-only provider in the US
Extensive geographic coverage (60+ locations)
Flexible options, from direct cremation to full memorials
Sea memorials since 1977, plus the well-known Neptune Memorial Reef
At-need service widely reviewed as prompt, kind and efficient
50+ years in business

What to watch for

No published pricing; you only get numbers by contacting a local office
$23M California settlement (2024) over prepaid sales and refund practices
Florida class settlement of up to $209M (2022) covering ~87,000 prepaid customers
Complaints cite refund difficulty and large deductions on cancelled prepaid plans
Reports of pressure tactics and bundled merchandise purchases
Reported prices run well above independent local providers

Pricing

Neptune Society prices

Neptune doesn't publish prices online; quotes come from your local office. Reported direct cremation packages run about $1,950 to $2,750 depending on location, and add-ons can push the total past $3,000. Independent local providers often charge $795 to $1,495 for the same service, so get both quotes before you sign anything.

Direct cremation package (reported): $1,950–$2,750 by location
Typical total with add-ons: $3,000+
Prepaid membership plans: From ~$1,995
Ash scattering (garden): $245
Memorial at sea (private): $1,095

Reported figures that date quickly, always confirm current pricing with Neptune Society and compare a local direct-cremation quote.

Compare

Neptune Society vs other providers

Provider	Model	Reported from	Best for
Neptune Society	National network · prepaid & direct	$1,950	Families who want an established national provider with full memorial options and don't mind paying for the brand.
After	Online-first · direct cremation	$995	Families who want a fully online, transparently priced cremation and live in one of After's 11 states.
Dignity Memorial	National network · full-service & cremation	Varies	Families who want a traditional, highly customisable service and value a location almost anywhere in the US or Canada.
National Cremation Society	National network · prepaid & direct	Varies	Families who prioritise a long-established provider and peace of mind over the lowest possible price.
Smart Cremation	Regional · pre-need & immediate	$1,600	Families and veterans in its seven-state footprint who want an established mid-priced provider with a strong pre-need offering.
Funeraria Del Angel	National network · full-service & cremation	Varies	Hispanic families who want a provider fluent in their traditions, language and customs.
Tulip Cremation	Online-first · direct cremation	$1,195	Bay Area and Northern California families who want a low-cost, no-visit cremation arranged online or by phone.

Neptune Society FAQ

How much does Neptune Society charge for a cremation?: Neptune doesn't publish prices online, so you have to contact a local office for a quote. Reported direct cremation packages run about $1,950 to $2,750 depending on location, and totals past $3,000 are common once add-ons are included. For comparison, independent local providers typically charge $795 to $1,495 for the same direct cremation.
Why is it called the Neptune Society?: The name comes from Neptune, the Roman god of the sea. The company was founded in 1973 by Charles Denning, a California chiropractor whose specialty was scattering ashes at sea; families could even join the scattering voyage aboard his yacht. The press nicknamed him 'Colonel Cinders.' Neptune has run sea memorials since 1977 and today also operates the Neptune Memorial Reef, an underwater memorial site off Florida.
Is Neptune Society a reputable company?: It's a legitimate, licensed provider that has been operating since 1973 and is owned by SCI, North America's largest funeral company. It holds an A+ BBB rating, though it is not BBB accredited. That said, its prepaid sales practices have drawn serious regulatory action: a $23 million California settlement in 2024, a Florida class settlement of up to $209 million in 2022, and a Colorado settlement the same year, all over how prepaid plans were sold and refunded. At-need families generally report good experiences; the complaints cluster around prepaid plans.
Can I get a refund if I cancel a Neptune prepaid plan?: It depends on your state and contract. In California, following the 2024 settlement, plan holders can cancel for a full refund including money paid for merchandise. Elsewhere, complaints describe large deductions for cancellations after the first 30 days. Before buying any plan, get the cancellation and refund terms in writing and ask specifically how much of your money is held in trust.
How does Neptune Society compare with Smart Cremation?: They share DNA: Smart Cremation was founded in 2008 by Jerry Norman, a former Neptune Society CEO. Smart's packages run somewhat cheaper (its 2026 California price list shows direct cremation from $1,600 and packages from $2,251) but it serves only seven states, while Neptune operates in roughly 30 and offers extras like sea scatterings. Neither publishes prices on its website, so get quotes from both if you're in Smart's footprint.
How long does Neptune Society take to complete a cremation?: In most cases about 5–7 days, though weekends, holidays and any delays at the coroner's office can extend this.
What does Neptune's direct cremation include?: It's the simplest, least expensive option, no funeral, viewing, embalming or casket. The ashes are returned to you after cremation.
Can you hold a memorial without the body present?: Yes. You can hold a memorial before or after the cremation; it can still be meaningful even without the remains present.

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