Smart Cremation — Attraction in Phoenix

This review is based on two experiences that I have had with Smart Cremation. My first was in 2019 when I accompanied my mother to a presentation as her health was declining and she knew she wouldn't have the funds for a burial, but also didn't want to burden the family with those costs either. When she passed in my home less than a year later, I was so glad I had attended the meeting with her because I knew what they had promised their services would provide, and they did everything they said and beyond. I made one call to them and they literally did the rest. From contacting the hospice service and her doctor, arranging for her transport to the cremation facility, etc. One point that really stuck out to me and I appreciated, was that I only ever had one point of contact after my initial call. I only ever spoke to one person, if they called to give me information, to ask me a question or if I had a question it was handle by the same representative each time. Later I realized how important it was not to have to go over and over details with strangers each time we conversed. I had a very calming, compassionate, and knowledgeable representative that stayed in touch throughout the process. I was even able to have my mother's remains delivered to another family member at their home. My second experience was purchasing the services for both myself and my husband tonight. The presentation was informative, all questions were answered, many payment options, but no hard sale. They don't time rush you...if you don't get it now, your blowing an opportunity you won't see again...there's none of that type of pressure. While these decisions are never easy to make, and for some families not even discussed because of the emotions they can illicit, for my family having your wishes met after your passing is a relief to your family, knowing you are able to unburden them from having to make decisions, that everyone may have a different opinion about. You've already taken out all of the guess work, so nobody has to feel guilty or sad thinking is this what they would have wanted. I hope my opinion, having been a recipient of their services, and now a customer gives you some clarity in your...

Horrible!!!!! They say they file the permit - but what they don't tell you is you have to pay an additional $20. They DO NOT provide the death certificate - even though there is a place to request on their form. (TO THEIR RESPONSE: they put that it delays if ordered through them. This is not true. Every other place we worked with provided the death certificate w/I 10 days. You should clearly state in your original paperwork that it is NOT provided by you.) The people answering the phone obviously WFH based on the noise in the background. The person handling our account (because apparently there can only be one) is crap! About ANA in TX: Her tone lacks any trace of concern; we felt like she was doing is a favor by doing her job. (TO THEIR RESPONSE: They use the answering service EVERY TIME we called. There no option to speak to a supervisor) We still have not been able to pick up ashes and aren't getting any call backs from Ana..... apparently the only person who is able to help. (HMMM, WE GOT A CALL BACK THE DAY AFTER I POSTED THIS. I'M SURE IT WAS JUST A COINCIDENCE) (TO THEIR RESPONSE: If your company is so small that only can't-be-bothered-Ana can handle our account I would say that's a problem) Easy preplanning for the customer, not so easy on the living actually having to deal with this after death. I WOULD not recommend!!!! There's a reason they're cheaper than others..... YOU GET WHAT...

I am sad to state the Smart Cremation did not live up to their promise of “we pledge the return of your loved one within 10 business days, etc.” Nor “you’ll receive updates from your dedicated Smart Arranger” etc. Granted my husband died 11/23, the day before Thanksgiving, no one called until the following Tuesday, 11/28 and that was after the hospital called to see if I had made arrangements to have my husband’s body picked up. Smart Cremation needs to instruct their people to follow-up on the status of the process … unfortunately, I had to make all the calls to inquire what was going on. Additionally, the crematorium took its sweet time and if I hadn’t repeatedly called the ‘smart arranger’ I wouldn’t have known that. From the day of death to when I finally received my husband’s ashes, it was 37 days. There were 12 non-business days, including Thanksgiving and Christmas, which makes it 25 days. I do want to give kudos to the woman at the main number who always tried to help me by contacting the ‘smart arranger’. While the ‘smart arranger’ was pleasant and provided information, (albeit 7 days after notification) it is critical that continuous follow-up is given as to the status of the body. The grieving folks should not have to be calling the smart arranger … thus I give...