Funeral Home Selection in Oklahoma City: What Temple and Sons Offers Against Local Alternatives

When a death occurs, families in Oklahoma City have roughly two to three days before decisions about funeral arrangements become time-sensitive. Temple and Sons Funeral Home operates in this compressed window, competing with a dozen other establishments across the metro area. This guide covers what Temple and Sons provides, how it positions itself against comparable funeral homes, and what criteria matter most when you're evaluating options.

The Local Funeral Home Market in Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City's funeral service industry includes independently owned homes and several multi-location chains. The choice between them hinges on location, service scope, pricing transparency, and whether the facility can accommodate your religious or cultural preferences. Unlike many services, you cannot shop funeral homes casually; the selection usually happens during grief, which means understanding your options beforehand reduces stress and regret later.

Temple and Sons operates as a single-location funeral home, not part of a larger network. This distinction matters. Single-location homes typically retain more control over pricing and staffing, and the same director may work with your family from arrangement through service. Chain funeral homes often reassign tasks across locations, which can fragment communication but may offer more specialized services under one corporate roof.

Location and Service Area

Temple and Sons serves Oklahoma City families, with accessibility being a practical first consideration. Families traveling from northwest Oklahoma City (around Edmond or northern suburbs) face different travel times than those in south Oklahoma City or Midwest City. If you need a location convenient to where the deceased lived or worked, proximity reduces logistical friction during an already difficult period.

The funeral home's location also determines which cemetery partnerships it maintains. Oklahoma City has multiple cemeteries including Fairlawn Cemetery (central location, established 1907) and Rose Hill Burial Park. Funeral homes often have formal relationships with specific cemeteries, meaning some may handle certain logistics more smoothly than others. When comparing funeral homes, ask whether they have existing agreements with the cemetery where you plan burial.

Service Scope and Pricing Structure

Funeral homes in Oklahoma City offer a range of service packages: basic cremation with no service, viewing and visitation, traditional funeral with burial, and memorial services after cremation. Prices vary significantly. A basic cremation in Oklahoma City averages $1,200 to $2,500 depending on the provider. A full funeral service with viewing, casket, embalming, and graveside service typically ranges from $4,500 to $8,000 across the metro area.

Temple and Sons' specific pricing should be verified directly, as funeral home rates adjust annually. However, you have a legal right under Federal Trade Commission regulations to request an itemized General Price List over the phone or in person without scheduling a full arrangement conference. This list breaks out charges for services (embalming, dressing, viewing room rental by the hour) separately from merchandise (casket, urn, vault). Reputable funeral homes provide this without pressure to purchase.

When comparing Temple and Sons against other Oklahoma City funeral homes, request price lists from at least two others. Common comparison points: embalming fees (typically $500–$800), casket markups (often 100–200% above wholesale cost), and facility fees for visitation hours. Some homes charge per hour for viewing rooms; others include a set number of hours. These differences compound across a full funeral arrangement.

Religious and Cultural Accommodations

Oklahoma City's population includes Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu families, as well as those without religious affiliation. Different funeral traditions require different preparations. Jewish funerals typically must occur within 24 hours of death and involve ritual washing (taharah) performed by trained community members. Islamic funerals require specific washing and prayer practices and often happen quickly as well. Hindu cremations follow Vedic rituals.

Establish early whether Temple and Sons has experience with your family's religious requirements. Some funeral homes have relationships with religious leaders or organizations (such as synagogues, mosques, or temples in Oklahoma City) and can coordinate rituals. Others will allow your family or religious leader to direct the process but may not provide specialized staff. This is not a weakness in every case, but knowing in advance prevents frustration.

Staff Continuity and Arrangement Process

A funeral director serves as both counselor and administrator during arrangements. The best directors explain options clearly, answer questions thoroughly, and do not pressure families toward expensive choices. Temple and Sons, as a single-location home, typically assigns one director to your family through completion, reducing the chance you'll repeat information to multiple staff members.

The arrangement conference usually lasts 45 minutes to two hours. You'll discuss the deceased's vital information, select casket and urn options, decide on service format and timing, and review pricing. Bring a trusted person (spouse, adult child, close friend) if possible; grief impairs decision-making, and a second person can ask clarifying questions. Request a written summary of all decisions and costs before you leave.

Cremation Services and Alternatives

Cremation has become the majority choice in Oklahoma City, partly due to cost and partly due to changing preferences about burial. Cremation itself typically takes two to three hours at temperatures exceeding 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit. The remains are then processed into ash and placed in a temporary or permanent urn.

If you choose cremation through Temple and Sons, confirm whether they perform cremation on-site or use a third-party crematory. On-site cremation allows continuity and direct oversight; off-site cremation is standard practice and not inherently inferior, but you have less direct verification. Ask whether they offer a viewing before cremation if you want one; not all families do, but the option matters to some.

After cremation, families choose burial of ashes in a cemetery plot, scattering (legal in Oklahoma with landowner permission), keeping ashes at home, or dividing them among family members. Temple and Sons should guide you through these options and their costs.

Key Questions to Ask Before Deciding

Before selecting Temple and Sons or any funeral home, ask:

• What is your General Price List, and can you provide it by phone?
• Do you perform cremations on-site or use a crematory?
• What are your charges for visitation room rental if I want multiple days?
• Do you have experience with [your religious/cultural tradition], and who on staff can help coordinate that?
• Can the same director work with my family through the entire process?
• What happens if I want to use a casket from outside your home or use a simple wooden casket?

Funeral homes cannot legally prohibit outside caskets or urns, though some charge handling fees. If cost is a constraint, buying a casket elsewhere (online or from a warehouse retailer) can reduce total expense, though shipping and assembly logistics require coordination.

Moving Forward

The time to research funeral homes is before urgent need arises. Call Temple and Sons and two comparable homes in your area. Request price lists. Ask about their process. If you have specific religious or cultural needs, mention them directly. Funeral service is transactional, but the relationship with your chosen home shapes how your family experiences a major life event. A home that communicates clearly, honors your preferences, and treats you with straightforward respect is worth finding in advance.