Vondel Smith Mortuary in Oklahoma City: Full-Service Funeral Home with Established Cremation and Burial Options
Vondel Smith Mortuary is a full-service funeral home in Oklahoma City that handles planning, arrangement, and execution of funerals, memorial services, and cremations. The business operates its own crematory on-site, meaning families can choose cremation without routing through a third-party facility, and it serves the metro area from a single location that has operated continuously under the Smith family name.
What Vondel Smith Mortuary actually is
A family-owned funeral home offering traditional funeral services, direct cremation, and pre-planning arrangements. Unlike large corporate funeral chains, this operation has maintained local ownership and direct control over its cremation process, which affects both cost and timeline for families choosing that option. The mortuary coordinates with cemeteries throughout the Oklahoma City area and can arrange graveside services, memorial services in their own chapel, or services at a church or other venue of the family's choice.
Services and pricing
Vondel Smith offers three primary service tiers:
Traditional funeral with viewing and burial: This includes embalming, preparation and dressing of the deceased, casket selection, funeral service in the mortuary chapel or elsewhere, and cemetery coordination. Casket prices range from approximately $1,500 to $5,000 depending on material and style; the funeral service itself (staff, facilities, coordination) typically runs $2,000 to $3,500. Combined, a traditional service generally costs $4,500 to $9,000 before cemetery and grave opening fees.
Cremation with memorial service: Direct cremation (cremation without viewing or embalming) costs approximately $1,200 to $1,800, and families can add a memorial service using the mortuary's chapel for an additional $800 to $1,500. This option appeals to families wanting a ceremony without the cost of embalming and casket.
Direct cremation only: The least expensive option, ranging from $1,200 to $1,500. Ashes are returned to the family without any service; the family may hold a private gathering or scattering ceremony elsewhere.
Confirm current prices directly with the mortuary, as pricing adjusts periodically and may differ based on specific requests (rush cremation, additional ceremony time, etc.).
How it compares to other Oklahoma City options
Vondel Smith's primary distinction is its on-site crematory. Funeral homes without cremation equipment must outsource to a crematory, which adds cost and extends the timeline by one to three days. Smith's in-house operation means cremation can be completed within 24 to 48 hours of arrangement, and families avoid the markup of a middleman crematory fee. This matters most for families on tight timelines or those seeking rapid turnaround before a memorial service.
Compared to corporate chains like Dignity Memorial or Everest Funeral Services (which operate multiple locations across Oklahoma), Vondel Smith offers more consistent family-to-staff continuity. A single funeral director or arrangement team may work with your family throughout, rather than handoff between locations. Pricing at corporate chains in Oklahoma City runs similar for traditional services ($4,500 to $10,000), but cremation pricing can be higher due to outsourced crematory fees.
Compared to discount or direct-cremation-only operators (such as some online-coordinated services), Vondel Smith includes a physical location, personal arrangement consultation, and chapel access, which direct-cremation-only services do not. That added infrastructure costs more but provides families a place to gather and a staff member to guide decisions.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
This mortuary suits families who:
- Need a traditional funeral with viewing and want a locally owned business managing the full process
- Choose cremation and want rapid turnaround without outsourcing delays
- Prefer to work face-to-face with one consistent staff member rather than multiple locations
- Want chapel access for a service without renting a separate venue
- Value family business continuity and local decision-making
It is less ideal for families who:
- Are focused solely on minimal cost and have no ceremony plans (a discount direct-cremation service may be cheaper)
- Require specialized religious or cultural services the mortuary cannot accommodate (confirm ahead)
- Live far from the mortuary's location and cannot easily visit in person during planning
What the first visit involves
Families typically call to arrange an initial consultation, either in person or by phone. During an in-person visit, a funeral director will discuss the deceased's preferences (if pre-planned) or the family's wishes, walk through service options, and present casket or urn selections. The family will make decisions on burial vs. cremation, service type, and date. The mortuary coordinates directly with the cemetery, church, or other service location, and provides a detailed cost breakdown before the service. Most initial consultations take 45 minutes to two hours.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Vondel Smith Mortuary is located in Oklahoma City and open for walk-in consultations during business hours Monday through Friday. The mortuary is staffed for after-hours calls and can arrange emergency arrangements 24/7. On-site parking is available at the funeral home. Verify current hours by phone, as holiday schedules may vary.
Vondel Smith's on-site crematory and family ownership distinguish it in a market of larger chains and discount alternatives, making it a credible choice for families prioritizing local service and cremation speed.
