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When you’re driving through the heart of downtown Mesa, you might pass a light gray building with a distinct bright red roof. It’s been sitting there at 52 North MacDonald Street for nearly a century. Most people just see it as another landmark, but for families who’ve lived in the East Valley for generations, Meldrum Mortuary Mesa AZ is a name that carries a lot of weight.
Honestly, death isn't exactly the most comfortable dinner party topic. But when it happens, everything moves fast. You’re suddenly hit with a massive checklist while your brain is still trying to process the loss. That is exactly why knowing who is handling the details matters more than people realize. There's a big difference between a corporate-owned facility reporting to shareholders and a family-run operation where the owner’s name is actually on the sign out front.
The family legacy behind the red roof
Meldrum Mortuary isn't some new franchise. It was established way back in 1927 by Jess and Inez Meldrum. Think about that for a second. This place has survived the Great Depression, the explosive growth of the Phoenix metro area, and several world-altering events. Today, it’s still in the family. Mark R. Meldrum and his son, Mark C. Meldrum, run the show.
In an industry where huge corporations like SCI (Service Corporation International) are quietly buying up local funeral homes while keeping the original family name on the door to maintain a "local" image, the Meldrums have stayed independent. That’s actually pretty rare these days. It means they don't have a corporate handbook telling them they have to charge a certain amount or follow a rigid script.
The facility itself is surprisingly large. It has a chapel that can seat 200 people, which is great because Mesa families tend to be big. You’ve got the Arizona Museum of Natural History right across the street, so it's deep in the historic roots of the city.
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What sets them apart? (It’s not just the history)
Most people assume all mortuaries are basically the same. You pick a casket or an urn, you have a service, and you're done. But there are a few technical things Meldrum Mortuary Mesa AZ does differently that you should probably know about if you’re comparing options.
First off, they have an on-site crematory.
Why does this matter?
Kinda simple: your loved one never leaves their care. Many funeral homes in the valley actually outsource the cremation process to industrial "third-party" warehouses. When a place has its own equipment on-site, it means the people you talked to in the office are the same people handling the actual process. It provides a level of accountability that’s hard to beat.
They also use something called the ShareLife approach. Basically, it’s their way of saying they aren't fans of "cookie-cutter" funerals. They use video memorialization and personalized elements to make the service feel less like a somber ritual and more like a specific tribute to a person's actual life.
Let’s talk about the money (The General Price List)
Federal law—specifically the FTC’s "Funeral Rule"—requires every funeral home to give you a General Price List (GPL) the moment you ask about prices. You shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get it.
Based on current data, a direct cremation at Meldrum starts around $990 to $1,295, depending on the specific package and inclusions. If you’re looking at a traditional full-service burial, you’re likely looking at a starting point around $6,990.
Here is a quick breakdown of how some of those "basic" costs usually shake out there:
- Basic Services of Director and Staff: ~$1,295
- Embalming: ~$595
- Transfer of remains to the funeral home: ~$325
- Use of the chapel for a ceremony: ~$400
It’s important to remember that these are just the service fees. You still have "cash advance" items—things the funeral home pays for on your behalf, like the death certificates (Arizona charges about $20 per copy) and the permit fees.
Environmental impact and newer options
One thing that might surprise you is that they’ve started leaning into more modern, eco-friendly practices. They actually purchase carbon offsets for the cremations they perform. It’s an interesting move for a legacy business, but it shows they are paying attention to the fact that people are more "green-conscious" than they used to be.
They also offer "Death Care Alternatives" like human composting (natural organic reduction), which has recently become a legal and sought-after option in various states. It’s definitely not your grandfather’s funeral home experience, even if the building is nearly 100 years old.
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Common misconceptions about your rights
A lot of people think you have to buy the casket from the funeral home.
You don't.
You can literally buy a casket from Costco or an online retailer like Titan Casket and have it shipped directly to 52 N. MacDonald. By law, the mortuary cannot charge you a "handling fee" for doing this. Most people are too overwhelmed to shop around, but it can save you thousands of dollars.
Another big one: Embalming is not always required by law. If you’re doing a direct cremation or a closed-casket burial within a certain timeframe, you might be able to skip it. The staff at Meldrum Mortuary Mesa AZ is generally known for being pretty upfront about what is a legal requirement and what is an elective service.
Navigating the "What Now?" phase
If you’ve just lost someone, the "First Call" is what you need to focus on. That’s the phone call to the mortuary to have them come and pick up your loved one. Meldrum is available 24/7 at (480) 834-9255.
If you aren't in an emergency situation but are just "pre-planning," they have Family Service Advisors who can walk you through the paperwork. Pre-paying can lock in today's prices, which protects your family from inflation. But honestly, even just writing down your wishes and keeping them in a file is a huge gift to your kids or spouse so they aren't guessing what you would have wanted.
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Actionable next steps for East Valley families
- Get the General Price List (GPL): Don't be afraid to call and ask for a digital copy. Comparing two or three local homes can save you significant money and help you find a staff you actually vibe with.
- Decide on On-Site vs. Off-Site: If cremation is the plan, ask the funeral home point-blank if they own their crematory or if they transport the body to a different facility. For many, keeping the process under one roof is a dealbreaker.
- Check the Location: If you’re planning a large service, drive by the MacDonald Street location. Check the parking and the foyer. It’s an older building with a lot of character, but you want to make sure it fits the "vibe" of the service you’re envisioning.
- Verify the Ownership: If you want to support a local business, verify that the "family" on the sign is the family in the office. In the case of Meldrum, the fourth generation is already involved.
At the end of the day, a funeral is for the living. Whether you want a traditional LDS service, a quiet cremation, or a high-tech celebration of life, the goal is to find a team that doesn't treat you like a number in a spreadsheet. In a city like Mesa that’s growing and changing so fast, there's something to be said for a place that’s been standing on the same corner since 1927.