A Wise Choice Cremation & Funeral Services — Consumer Profile
A Wise Choice Cremation & Funeral Services is an independently owned, family-operated cremation and funeral provider in Mesa, Arizona, distinguished by its on-site crematory and a consistent reputation for transparent, low-cost pricing. The provider holds a 4.9/5 rating across 235 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated funeral providers in the East Valley. Reviewer accounts describe arrangements completed for approximately $1,200, well below the regional average for direct cremation, and the provider is available by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Locations
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 9702 E Apache Trail, Mesa, AZ 85207 |
| Phone | (480) 626-6363 |
| Fax | (480) 626-6367 |
| info@awisechoiceaz.com | |
| Hours | Open 24 hours, 7 days a week |
This is the provider's single location, which also serves families in Apache Junction and Gilbert according to the provider's website. The facility includes an on-site crematory, meaning remains are processed at this location and do not leave the provider's care. The website also references an on-site cemetery, though detailed information about cemetery grounds and capacity was not available in the source data.
Services
A Wise Choice offers cremation and burial services, with specific capabilities noted below.
- Direct Cremation — Available in Mesa, Apache Junction, and Gilbert
- Cremation Packages — Multiple tiered options listed on the website's cremation packages page
- Burial Services — Offered alongside cremation; details available via the provider's burial planning page
- Private Viewings — At least one reviewer describes a private viewing being arranged and personalized for the family
- Pre-Planning / Planning Ahead — Listed as a distinct service on the website
- Cremation Urns and Keepsake Jewelry — Mentioned in customer reviews as available through the provider
- Grief Resources — The provider offers referrals to support groups and mourner resources; a dedicated resources page is listed on the website
- Obituary Posting — Available through the Legacy.com listing
- On-Site Crematory — Confirmed via Facebook page and website; the provider states that loved ones never leave their care
- On-Site Cemetery — Referenced on the provider's website; specific details were not available in the source data
Remote and out-of-town arrangement coordination appears to be a practiced strength — multiple reviewers describe completing full arrangements by phone and email without difficulty.
Pricing
A General Price List (GPL) is referenced on the provider's website, though itemized figures were not included in the available source data. The following pricing context comes from customer review accounts and external web results.
Pricing Signals from Reviews
| Source | Amount | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Google reviewer (Jacob Schmidt) | ~$1,200 | Full arrangements for a deceased family member; reviewer had anticipated $5,000+ |
| Multiple reviewers | Not specified | Consistently described as "affordable," "very reasonably priced," and competitive with other local providers |
| External web result | Not specified | Reviewer notes "no hidden fees and no exorbitant fees" |
Note: The $1,200 figure cited by one reviewer likely reflects a direct cremation or simple cremation package. This should not be taken as a guaranteed price for all arrangements. Families should request the current General Price List directly from the provider before making any commitments, as required by the FTC Funeral Rule.
Reviews
A Wise Choice carries a 4.9/5 rating based on 235 Google reviews. The provider also appears on Yelp (10 reviews) and Ever Loved, where sentiment is similarly positive.
Dominant Positive Themes
1. Affordability and Pricing Transparency The most frequently recurring theme across reviews is that pricing was lower than expected and clearly explained. One reviewer (Jacob Schmidt) writes that arrangements "actually came out to only about $1,200" when the family had budgeted for $5,000 or more. Another (Cami Shields) notes "their prices are very good compared to other funeral homes." An external reviewer specifically calls out the absence of hidden fees.
2. Staff Compassion and Follow-Through Multiple reviewers describe staff as empathetic, patient, and proactive. Staff member Marybeth is singled out by reviewer Tiffany Bowles: "Marybeth's support and guidance were invaluable to my family and I. She went above and beyond to fulfill every request we had." Staff member Daniel (likely Daniel Taylor, referenced in another review) is mentioned by multiple families, including one who coordinated everything remotely from 1,500 miles away.
3. Ease of Process During Difficult Circumstances Reviewers consistently mention that the process was simpler and less stressful than anticipated, including families managing arrangements from out of state and families navigating the death of a spouse or child. One reviewer (Jeri Perez) notes that the provider followed up multiple times after services were complete to check on the family.
Notable Negative Reviews or Concerns
No notable negative reviews or complaint patterns were identified in the available source data. The BBB profile was located but accreditation status and complaint history details are noted in the Accreditations section below.
Ownership
A Wise Choice Cremation & Funeral Services is independently owned and operated. The provider describes itself as family-owned on its website and in third-party listings. A Yelp listing references an establishment date of 1913 and states the business has "helped families, their loved ones, and the community for over 50 years." The discrepancy between the 1913 date and the "over 50 years" language may reflect a predecessor institution or a rebranding under the current name at a later date; this could not be reconciled from available data. No corporate parent or consolidator affiliation was identified.
Accreditations
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| BBB Accreditation | Not BBB Accredited (BBB profile) |
| BBB Rating | A third-party directory (Hubbiz) lists a claimed BBB A+ rating; this could not be independently verified against the BBB's own profile |
| Licensing | Listed as a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer per the Hubbiz directory listing |
| Awards | "Best of Mesa Funeral Home Award Winner" cited in the Hubbiz listing; award body and year were not specified in available data |
| Ownership Certification | "Family Owned and Operated For Over 50 Years" cited in third-party directory |
Note on BBB status: The official BBB business profile indicates this business is not BBB accredited. Families who weight BBB accreditation in their decision-making should review that profile directly for the most current rating and any complaint history.
Conclusion
A Wise Choice Cremation & Funeral Services positions itself in the budget-to-mid-range segment of the Mesa funeral market, with pricing that reviewers consistently describe as well below local competitors and a strong service reputation backed by one of the higher Google ratings among East Valley providers. Its on-site crematory, 24/7 availability, and demonstrated ability to support remote and out-of-town families are practical differentiators worth noting. Families should confirm current itemized pricing directly with the provider — particularly the distinction between direct cremation and more comprehensive packages — and take note that the business does not currently hold BBB accreditation, though no complaint patterns were identified in the available data.
This report was generated using publicly available information including licensing records, pricing data, and consumer reviews. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation.
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