Cheapest Cremation in West Des Moines, IA (2026)

Prices from $895 at 4 cremation providers in West Des Moines. Sorted cheapest first.

How much does cremation cost in West Des Moines?

Cheapest Option $895 Celebrate Life Iowa

Average Cremation $1,880 West Des Moines average

Providers Compared 4 with pricing data

Cremation Providers in West Des Moines — Sorted by Price

#	Provider	Direct Cremation	Basic Services Fee	Phone
🏆	Celebrate Life Iowa 1200 Valley West Drive	$895	$1,885	515-689-5522
2	Hamilton's On Westtown Pkwy 3601 Westown Pkwy	$1,340	$1,845	515-224-0078
3	West Des Moines Iles Arrangement Center 6800 Lake Drive Suite 200	$2,390	$1,925	515-270-3800
4	McLaren's Resthaven Chapel 801 19th St	$2,895	$2,795	515-225-7225

What is included in direct cremation?

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Transportation

Transfer of the deceased from the place of death to the crematory.

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Death certificate filing

The funeral home completes and files the death certificate with the state. Additional certified copies are typically $10–$25 each.

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Cremation

The actual cremation process, carried out at a licensed crematory.

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Return of remains

Ashes returned in a basic plastic or cardboard container. Upgrades to urns cost extra.

What is NOT included in direct cremation:

Embalming (not needed for direct cremation)
Viewing or visitation
Formal funeral service or ceremony
Decorative urn (add $50–$500+)
Obituary placement
Flowers

Many families choose direct cremation and then hold a separate memorial service at home, a park, or a place of worship — at no additional cost to the funeral home.

Frequently Asked Questions — Cremation in West Des Moines

What is the cheapest cremation option in West Des Moines, Iowa?

The cheapest direct cremation in West Des Moines is $895 at Celebrate Life Iowa, located at 1200 Valley West Drive. Call 515-689-5522 for current availability.

Is direct cremation legal in Iowa?

Yes, direct cremation is legal in all 50 states including Iowa. The FTC Funeral Rule guarantees your right to choose only the services you want. No funeral home can require you to purchase embalming, a viewing, or a casket if you choose direct cremation.

What is the difference between direct cremation and cremation with a service?

Direct cremation has no embalming, no viewing, and no funeral ceremony at the funeral home. It's the simplest and least expensive option. Cremation with a service (sometimes called "cremation with memorial") adds one or more of those elements — a viewing before cremation, a funeral ceremony at the funeral home, or a graveside service. Each addition increases the cost.

Can I hold a memorial service after direct cremation?

Yes. Many families choose direct cremation precisely because it separates the practical arrangements from the memorial. Once you have the ashes, you can hold a memorial service anywhere — at home, at a park, at a church, or at a restaurant — at any time that works for the family. There is no funeral home fee for this.

About This Pricing Data

Cremation prices for West Des Moines, Iowa are sourced from OfficialObituary.com's directory of 10,000+ funeral homes. Prices are collected from individual funeral home General Price Lists and updated periodically. Always confirm current pricing directly with the provider before making arrangements.

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