Neptune Society Of San Diego

I had a very good experience with the Neptune Society in San Diego when my husband passed away recently. Farrah, my counselor, was so kind. She bent over backwards to have everything ready quickly. She even helped me charter a yacht for the scattering and memorial service. She kept me informed every step of the way and got death certificates to me earlier than I ever expected. It was such a good experience during such a difficult time.

After a lengthy illness, my Grandpa passed at home, which is a beautiful thing. The last few months were really difficult as we cared for him, but really meaningful. Even in the day-​to-​day struggle there were still smiles, laughs and beautiful moments.
Once Grandpa transitioned I made a call to hospice to let them know, and I called the Neptune Society. Years ago my Grandpa had arranged his own cremation, even picking out his own urn and writing his obituary. He left me all the information along with a sweet note. So I called. The kind woman who answered the phone was really professional, I let her know I’d do the pronouncement (paperwork that someone has died at home — that way we didn’t have to wait for a coroner to come out — I highly recommend doing it yourself as you don’t have to be an attorney or a physician) and she let me know that she could have Grandpa picked up whenever we wanted, just in case we needed more time. I let her know that we were ready, and she said Sam was in the neighborhood and he’d be out soon.
Thankfully Sam was quick! He too, was very kind and helped me fill out the pronouncement. He then explained that there would be no body bag, they would prepare my Grandpa and take him out wrapped up in a white sheet. I hustled the family into another room while the Neptune team set to work. Another helper shortly arrived, and they moved Grandpa onto a wheeled stretcher and put a flag over him, as he was a veteran. I know it’s morbid, but I had Sam take a picture with all of us in the family with our hands on Grandpa’s heart, right in the doorway just before he left. I just wanted one last moment with us together before he left home for good. It’s a hauntingly sad photo, but I’m glad I asked him to take it. Sam didn’t even hesitate.
The next day I met Vince Alari over the phone. He answered all of my questions, and was an incredible resource to me over the next few weeks. He handled all of the logistics of my Grandpa’s funeral service at Miramar, put me in touch with a wonderful retired Navy Chaplain to officiate the service, and Vince had a messenger even drop off the death certificates to me at work.
Once Grandpa’s cremation was complete, Grandma did not want to see the urn until the funeral, and so instead Vince had Grandpa delivered to me. It was really sad to be handed the urn and the burial paperwork, and I can’t remember the sweet giant from Neptune who delivered him to me at my work parking lot, but he was also very kind.
Everyone I dealt with at Neptune was exemplary. My Grandpa had paid for his cremation decades ago, and it was very inexpensive yet Vince and his team treated me and my family with the utmost of kindness and respect, as if we had been their most important clients.
It’s tough to think about, but we all pass away someday. Based on our experience, Chun P. and I will be making our arrangements with Neptune because we know there are caring people like Vince and Sam to help our family along the way.

Beware!!! This place should be shut-​down
If there was a minus this place would get it! They have no compassion for family. Its just a business to them… they lack the sensitivity necessary during time of family grief. My mom asked them to let her know when they transferred my dad to crematory, they said they would and didn’t. This meant a lot to her. It was just a phone call and acted as if the «no call» was insignificant. No apology, no consideration for her feelings. This hurt my mom tremendously as she wanted to follow her husband of 42 yrs up to crematory – going with him every step of the way. We are grieving and hurt by the ill treatment during a time of loss.

For the second time the counselor who is supposed to be there to offer support and information to families was very rude to me. We have not even done the scattering at sea yet.

No compassion, just worried about the almighty dollar. Remains promised on Wednesday so we planned the service for Thursday. I received a call Wednesday that the death certificate was ready but the remains wouldn’t be ready til Friday. Unprofessional, had incorrect information and I had to haggle over the price. I do not recommend this place to anyone. USed them about 15 years ago and they were great so I automatically went there again. I should have checked them out first. Not a good experience.;