No Cost Cremation Service Option

There are many reasons to donate your body to science, and today's technologies have made tremendous strides in using many parts of a human body to help individuals have a better quality of life.

There are many companies which offer no-cost cremations, if this is something you are interested in.  These companies may have various restrictions and/or needs, which can become very frustrating at a time you need to make a decision. 

Let us help you choose the right company.

We proudly recommend the Southwest Institute for Bio-Advancement (SWIBA) as our preferred donor partner.

WHY SWIBA?

SWIBA is an Arizona based non-transplant anatomical donation organization established to give interested donors the option to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. 

SWIBA is: 

• A Licensed Medical Education and Research Tissue Organization   
• Accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB)

SWIBA’s whole body donation program eliminates traditional funeral expenses while supporting medical education and research. SWIBA is dedicated to improving lives and accelerating medical advancements through the ethical referral, recovery and placement of donated tissue.

EDUCATION & RESEARCH

Whole body organ and tissue donation for medical education and research plays a very vital role in improving the lives of both current and future generations. Donors that do not meet the stringent criteria required for transplant donation can usually meet the donation requirements for medical education and research. There are no maximum age restrictions and most non-infectious diseases are accepted.

Donated tissues from human donors assist researchers in finding new and innovative ways to treat and cure diseases such as cancer, dementia, Alzheimer’s, diabetes and many other debilitating ailments.

Medical educators and researchers around the world rely on donated tissue to help further medical advancements and/or to complete their studies on the many debilitating diseases that continue to afflict mankind. 

BENEFITS FOR YOU

As a result of your participation in this gift program, all costs associated with your direct cremation are covered by SWIBA, with the exception of certified death certificates. A simple 15 minute qualifying telephone interview is all that is needed to donate.

In addition to a no-cost cremation, you also have the option to utilize Sonoran Skies Mortuary's CHAPEL or FAMILY ROOM for a memorial service for your loved one at no additional charge. The memorial service may be held for up to three hours, Monday through Friday, between 9:00am and 3:00pm at our facility (Sonoran Skies Mortuary).

If you have any questions, you may contact us directly at 480-985-4900; or you may reach SWIBA by calling toll-free 1-800-723-3031 or by visiting their website at www.swibadonor.org.

Posting an Obituary to Facebook

When it comes to online obituaries, one of the most common questions we get asked is, "How do I post my online obituary to Facebook?"  Well, it is very simple!  Here are the 5 simple steps to add an online obituary link to Facebook:

• Go to the online obituary page (the page where the obituary is for your loved one) 
• Copy the web page URL (address) from the address bar in the top of the browser 
• Select the address and then Copy it “Ctrl + C” 
• This is an example of what the address looks like: http://www.sonoranskiesmortuaryaz.com/johndoe  
• Log in to Facebook 
• Paste the link into the ‘Update Status’ area where it says, “What’s on your mind?” 
• Select the appropriate image using the arrow buttons, add a comment (optional), tag people (optional) and click “Post.”

If you have any problems or need help with any of these steps, please do not hesitate to contact us at 480-985-4900 or info@ssmortuaryaz.com.  

Beware of "Heritage Cremation Providers"

Who are Heritage Cremation Provider?

Heritage Cremation Provider are an online national website offering cremation services between $695 and $1,395.  They are a cremation company which appears online to be located wherever you are, but is actually based in Colorado.  Their website makes no mention of where they are located.  They give the appearance of being a local company when in fact they are just acting as ‘middle men’ and do not actually operate a funeral home, nor are they licensed to.  the company has had several complaints filed from customers claiming that the remains of their loved ones were not picked up within a timely manner, were misinformed with regards to pricing, as well as where they were operating out of. In one instance, a customer waited three days before contacting a local funeral home to come and pick up the body of her husband.

How do Heritage Cremation Provider operate?

Heritage Cremation Provider are NOT funeral directors or a funeral establishment.  They are registered in Colorado which happens to be the only state in the USA that does not require a funeral home to have a license to operate.  They handle the initial call from a family and coordinate cremation services by doing trade services through a local funeral home.  But at no time do they handle the deceased’s body.  They require payment upfront yet several of the funeral homes they work with report that it can take several weeks or more before they receive their trade payment.

Should you trust Heritage?

The company has had so many complaints about its level of service that the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has an alert warning about the company and has ranked it as a grade D.  If you visit the BBB website you can view the complaints lodged against Heritage Cremation Provider.

Better Business Bureau Reviews

Complaints Rise Over Colorado-Based Cremation Firm Operating Illegally In California

Florida Department of Financial Services filed a cease-and-desist order against Heritage Provider LLC.

Minnesota family find trouble with Heritage

RELATED: Wisconsin Funeral Directors Raise New Concerns Over Cremation Company

RELATED: Confusion and Complaints with Cremation Company Prompt State Investigation

There are numerous other states where the Attorney General is pushing through legislation to prevent Heritage operating as they are in their state.  Several states funeral boards have also advised their members not to work with Heritage Cremation Provider.

Also note: Heritage Cremation Provider also trade as Legacy Funeral Services.  Both web sites offer the same kind of online service where the cremations are simply sent to a trade cremation service in the locality for a nominal fee, whilst the family pays a full upfront fee to the online company.

How to Be Sure Your Cremation Provider is Legitimate

If you’re in need of a cremation or funeral service provider, be sure to do due diligence to ensure that the organization you choose is reputable.

• ·         Ask them where they’re located.

o   Check their website for active contact information. Make sure that they list at least one way to get in contact with a real person, not just a 1-800 number, contact form or email address. 

• ·         Consult the Better Business Bureau 

• ·         Look for online reviews of the organization.

 

A trustworthy provider will be willing to answer any questions and provide all the information you need to make the best decision regarding end-of-life services for a loved one.