I'm sorry for your loss.
If the person died in a hospital, contact the hospital's social worker. They always keep a list, and they also know what price range each one charges -- if you need low-priced, they will know where to send you.
What I'm about to say next is a bit rough, and I apologize, but if you need to know, you need to know: In many states, including California, direct cremation is a viable option, and saves an enormous amount of money. If you do not need a service with a casket, contact the crematorium directly and have them get the remains from the hospital, and do NOT involve a funeral director. (Most people don't realize this, but almost no funeral homes actually do cremations; they subcontract out that process, and they usually charge a very steep handling fee for doing so. You can do business directly with the cremation facility if you don't need to use the rooms and facilities provided at a "funeral home".) These businesses don't usually show up in the phone book or online directories, but you can contact the state licensing bureau to get a list. In California, that would be the Cemetary and Funeral Bureau, Fax: General - (916) 928-7988 E-Mail:
emailCFB@dca.ca.gov USPS Mail: 1625 North Market Boulevard, Ste. S-208, Sacramento, CA 95834
The crematorium will use a leak-sealed heavy cardboard box to transport the deceased; it will be burned in the process. You would be able to get the cremated remains directly from the cremation provider and take them to the memorial service. Urns can be purchased from them, or online; they will seal them for you if that is what you want. If you wish to scatter the cremains, tell the crematorium, and have them mill the remains for scattering; if you do not do this you may end up with large pieces of recognizable bone.
If you don't involve a funeral director, then you will need to order the death certificates yourself from the state; the hospital can help you with that, too.
Here is the California state government's consumer page regarding death and cremation:
http://www.cfb.ca.gov/consumer/funeral.shtml