Albuquerque

4770 Montgomery Blvd NE C 119
Albuquerque, NM 87109

Recent Testimonials from New Mexico Families Served

I simply don't know how I could have handled all... Read More

I simply don’t know how I could have handled all the details of my husband’s passing without the aid of the Neptune Society. They did a remarkable job…from taking my Darling from home (with a flag covering, since he was a Veteran) to arranging a magnificent Marine Honor Guard for his burial. Before, during, and after this painful event, the team in Albuquerque was there for me…dignified, prompt, and empathetic. I highly recommend their service and know I and my family will also be taken care of when the time comes.

Theresa C.
Corrales, NM

I was hesitant to buy a burial policy as it... Read More

I was hesitant to buy a burial policy as it is not a pleasant thought, but my dealing with Neptune Society and Karen Zinn made it easy and a heavy burden lifted for me and know that when the time comes, my family members will not have any financial issues.

Robert D.
Albuquerque, NM

Fortunately, my parents had made and paid for, their final... Read More

Fortunately, my parents had made and paid for, their final arrangements ahead of time with Neptune Society. This was truly a final gift from them to us. Overall, having Neptune Society handle the details was wonderful. However, more specifically, Dave and Dawn in Albuquerque were more than wonderful. They both are kind, caring, and patient which is exactly what one needs while dealing with the death of a loved one. So, from our family, Thank you, Dave and Dawn!

Mary Beth F.
Albuquerque, NM

I had an excellent experience with the Albuquerque Neptune Society... Read More

I had an excellent experience with the Albuquerque Neptune Society and recommend this organization to anyone who needs cremation services.

Jo Anne B.
Albuquerque, NM

Service was super smooth, which is great when one does... Read More

Service was super smooth, which is great when one does not need distractions from saying goodbye to a loved one.

John F.
San Francisco, CA

My dad's passing was sudden and unexpected late last year.... Read More

My dad’s passing was sudden and unexpected late last year. Working with David Slaten, Dawn and the team at the Albuquerque office made the process more turnkey and tolerable especially since I reside out of state. David is a true professional and we were highly appreciative of his knowledge, professionalism and client-focused efforts in catering to our family’s unique religious nuances. Thank you, David, for everything. Plus, he is a military veteran like me.

S.L.
San Francisco, CA

EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE!!!  I cannot express enough how amazing the experience... Read More

EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE!!!  I cannot express enough how amazing the experience was.  My father passes unexpectedly in New Mexico and we had to get the ashes to California.  David at the Neptune Society was so professional and helpful.  He handled all the crazy family calls and ensured the process was smooth and my Father’s wishes were carried out.  The process was so caring and compassionate.  Everything was beyond what I could have expected.  If you do not have a policy with Neptune, I’d highly recommend getting one.  It really takes the guesswork out of it.  Your loved ones wishes are documented and executed in the most compassionate way possible.  Dave was amazing and I cannot recommend his services enough.

Tonya S.
Colorado Springs, CO

Dave and the staff at Neptune provided excellent care and... Read More

Dave and the staff at Neptune provided excellent care and attention to detail following my husband’s recent death. Dave is a caring and compassionate individual. He provided detailed information and instructions and answered all my questions and concerns whenever I contacted him. He worked with me throughout the almost three-month process through to my husband’s military burial with honors at Santa Fe National Cemetery, and that day was perfect in every way. Thank you, Dave, for guiding me so gently in planning my husband’s goodbye filled with love, honor, dignity, and respect.

Karen D.
Albuquerque, MN

Dave Slaten and the rest of the team have been... Read More

Dave Slaten and the rest of the team have been such a great help to my aunt in her end of life planning. So many decisions made ahead of time, financial demands dealt with before need. When she passes, her family won’t be stressed by all those tasks and can grieve her in heir own time and way.

This is a tremendous service, and I wish more people would take advantage of the calm and cool-headed time available to them now, to spare everyone the whirlwind of decisions and expenses during the eventual occasion.

Holly V.
Albuquerque, NM

Wonderful service for pre-planned and at time of need cremation... Read More

Wonderful service for pre-planned and at time of need cremation services. Very reasonable.

Julie H.
Albuquerque, AZ

Shelly ** was the Neptune representative and did an excellent... Read More

Shelly ** was the Neptune representative and did an excellent job of describing the services I was interested in. The conversation was lengthy and convincing; I’ve signed up and feel relieved that my children will not have any more than necessary difficulty with my death.

Carol S.
Albuquerque, NM

My experience was with Neptune based in Albuquerque but serving... Read More

My experience was with Neptune based in Albuquerque but serving Santa Fe and surrounding areas. From my first phone contact to every subsequent communication, I found Ken ** and Dawn ** to be professional and knowledgeable. They went out of their way to assist me in making plans for cremation. I would recommend them highly.

Judith W.
Santa Fe, NM

Would strongly recommend Neptune Society to family and friends. Guided... Read More

Would strongly recommend Neptune Society to family and friends. Guided me through every step of the process with sensitivity, caring, and professionalism. I am deeply grateful to the entire Albuquerque team. Thank you so much.

Bruce B.
Albuquerque, NM

My mind is now at ease knowing that my children... Read More

My mind is now at ease knowing that my children will not be burdened by the cost of my funeral. The Neptune Society representative was attentive to my needs and concerns–extremely well informed–and gave the impression of actually caring. The process was quick and within a couple of weeks, I had received my funeral coverage policy and all of the paperwork as was promised. I would and do recommend the Neptune Society to all my friends, family and people that I know. (Kudos to them.)

Joseph O.
Los Lunas, NM

I visited several local companies to compare programs and costs,... Read More

I visited several local companies to compare programs and costs, to provide my children the security of knowing our affairs were in order. I was amazed at the differences. The staff at Neptune answered all my questions including questions no one else would. The price and benefits cannot be beaten!

Lisa M.
Albuquerque, NM

We received outstanding service from the Neptune Society from the... Read More

We received outstanding service from the Neptune Society from the very first phone call. Dave Slaten, the Service Manager, treated us with the utmost kindness and respect, patiently explaining every aspect of the process, including a careful breakdown of the expenses. In addition, he was always fully prepared for our visits (paperwork, etc.) and, as promised, he called to let us know when my father was actually being cremated. Patty, the Office Manager, was unfailingly polite and courteous every time I called and made an excellent first impression. The office is pretty, clean and cheerful (!). Mr. Slaten does a wonderful, meticulous job and clearly cares about his clients. My mother and I were so relieved to have found such a courteous, professional and compassionate provider. I can’t recommend Neptune Society enough.

Hilary A.
Albuquerque, NM

Places to Scatter Ashes in New Mexico

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White Sands National Monument

Located in the northern Chihuahuan Desert, the White Sands Monument is known for its scenic landscape of rare white gypsum sand dunes. There are many trails to choose from, including the Interdune Boardwalk and the Dune Life Nature Trail. Any one of these would make a unique spot to scatter your loved one’s ashes.

Photo Credit

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Santa Rosa Blue Hole

The Blue Hole in Santa Rosa, New Mexico is a bell-shaped body of clear blue water. It’s only 80 feet wide, but it is 130 feet deep. You can contact the management to obtain permission to scatter your loved one’s ashes in this desert oasis.

Photo Credit

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Sunset Memorial Park

New Mexico’s most beautiful cemetery now also includes a scattering garden. The Freedom Way and Floral Crypts are just some of the options to inter your love one’s cremains, or you can scatter them in the scenic rose garden with more than 50 rose bushes. There is also a native travertine to inscribe your loved one’s name, date of birth, and date of death.

Photo Credit

Additional Notes on Scattering Cremated Remains in New Mexico

New Mexico law allows you to scatter ashes over uninhabited public land with permission/a permit, over a public waterway or sea, or on private property of a consenting owner. If scattering at sea you must be at least 3 nautical miles from land, notify the EPA within 30 days of scattering, and avoid beaches and wading pools. You must obtain a permit to scatter on federal land. You can also scatter the ashes, but NOT the container, from the air as the government doesn’t consider cremains to be hazardous material. If the container isn’t biodegradable you must remove the ashes from the container before scattering.

New Mexico Cremation FAQs

What happens if you can't afford funeral services for you or your loved on in the state of New Mexico?

Although state funeral and burial assistance is in decline, there are available resources. To qualify for the New Mexico Indigent Burial and Cremation program, the deceased must have no estate from which to pay for a funeral, no family who can afford a service, and be ineligible for assistance from the Social Security or Veterans administration. If these criteria are met, the Public Administrator, or Indigent Burial Officer of the state, pays for a direct cremation of the deceased (the least expensive method). This is why it’s so important to pre-plan.

What veterans' benefits are available in New Mexico?

The VA benefits provided (at no cost to the family) include a grave site; opening and closing of the grave; perpetual grave site care; a government headstone or market; and United States burial flag that can be draped over the casket or accompany the urn (and is given to the next of kin after the service); an engraved presidential memorial certificate signed by the current sitting President, expressing the country’s grateful recognition of their service.

What is state cremation rate?

New Mexico cremation rate is 61-70%, according to 2020 CANA Annual Report.

How many funeral homes are there in New Mexico?

There are 73 funeral homes in 38 cities of New Mexico.

What is the average cost of cremation in New Mexico?

According to US Funerals, a cremation and memorial service costs around $3,200 and a direct cremation averages at $750.

New Mexico State Facts

State Nickname: Land of Enchantment

State Motto: It grows as it grows

Population: 2.086 million

State bird: Road Runner

State tree: Pinon Pine

State flower: Yucca

State animal: American Black Bear

Bonus fact 1: Santa Fe is the highest capital city in the United States at 7,000 feet above sea level.

Bonus fact 2: New Mexico is home to Gila National Forest, which is the largest national forest in the county.

Bonus fact 3: ¼ of New Mexico residents work for the government.

Bonus fact 4: New Mexico has more sheep and cattle than people.

Bonus fact 5: The leaves of Yucca, the state flower, can be used to make rope, baskets, and sandals.

*State population based on estimates provided by the 2014 U.S. Census.
*Cremation rate provided by the most recent study by CANA in 2020.