Since 2015, cremation has become the top choice for families when it comes to cremations vs burials. It’s predicted that within 20 years over 80% of people will choose cremation as their final wish once they pass away. In Florida, it seems like cremation is getting close to the 80% already, due to the lower costs compared to normal funerals and the ease of arranging direct cremations in Florida. Especially areas where “snow bids” tend to migrate like St. Petersburg, Tampa and Fort Meyers, Florida. One of the biggest issues for Florida families is figuring out what’s an appropriate price to pay for a cremation in Florida. What is why below, we will break down the average cost of a cremation in Florida.
This increase in frequency in cremation as the number one choice for families in Florida has led to a boon of facilities offering direct cremations in Florida. In general, the prices for direct cremations in South West Florida range between $700-$3000. Cremations that fall below the $700 price in general have a lot of additional fees, so in truth their direct cremation prices when everything is said and done are closer to $1200.
There are a few reasons for the incredible variability in Florida direct cremation prices. First, it depends on facility you choose to have your cremation done. In Florida, funeral homes have very large overhead costs, and in years past they received most of their profit from funerals that on average would cost Florida families $10,000. Now that direct cremations in Florida are becoming more popular, they have had to change how they receive their profits. They now have increased their prices of their cremations to compensate for the reductions in burials. So, in general, the highest priced cremations in South West Florida are from funeral homes that are selling cremations. Funeral homes also tend to upsell additional cremation options more and will try and get families to use their cemetery for example, which can add thousands of dollars onto the costs of a Florida cremation.
For the direct disposer facilities that only offer cremations in Florida, their prices tend to be lower than funeral home prices. But the big thing to be aware of from these facilities is where their crematories are located and the reviews they have. It is important to research any cremation facility you look at in Florida to make sure your loved one will be handled with dignity and care. We suggest Google and Yelp as great ways to research customer reviews.
We wanted to spend a moment and break down common things you will pay for when your loved one dies and wants a Florida cremation.
Cremation Cost
This is the biggest cost and in general, just includes the costs to have your loved one cremated.
Transportation of Your Loved One
You will have to pay to have your loved one picked up from where they passed to be brought to the crematory. If your loved one is larger than an average person, there tends to be additional fees due to increased need for additional men to help transport your loved one.
Refrigeration
In the state of Florida, there is a mandatory 48 hour waiting period before your loved one can be cremated, so they need to be refrigerated at the crematory while this waiting period occurs.
Casket to Be Cremated In
Your loved one will be cremated in casket and the prices can vary.
Urn (We include an urn for free in our direct cremation)
Try and find a Florida direct cremation facility with well-priced urns. Urns can be incredibly expensive. That is why at Going Home Cremation, we include an urn for free in the cost of our cremation. https://goinghomecremations.com/urns/
Obituary
Obituaries can be a surprisingly expensive add on to cremations in Florida. We have even seen them cost families close to $1000. We include a premium obituary for free for our Florida direct cremations. https://goinghomecremations.com/obituaries/
Death Certificates
There will be county fees for death certificates that everyone has to pay, and they are set by each county.
Paper work fees
Preparing your loved one for a cremation takes an incredible amount of paperwork, and most all facilities charge for that. When your loved one passes, the direct cremation facility has to undergo many steps to get the cremation approved, have the doctor sign the death certificate and then to get the death certificate approved, these steps can take many hours.
At Going Home Cremations, we offer direct cremations in St. Petersburg, Fort Meyers, Trinity, Sarasota, Bradenton, and Port Charlotte, Florida. But most importantly, we want all families searching for Florida direct cremations to understand the average cost of a cremation in Florida so they can make the best choice for their families.
Here is a breakdown of cremation service options and costs in Florida: Average FL cremation cost : $1,000 to $3,500+ on average. Average FL full-service cremation: These services include a cremation funeral with a viewing, visitation, or religious ceremony.
Direct cremation is the most affordable final arrangement. The direct cremation cost varies, but you should expect to pay between $2,000 and $5,000 depending on the city you live in and how much the funeral home charges.
Though Medicare does not cover the cost of direct cremation, there are other options available to help you cover these expenses. With some research and planning, it's possible to find financial assistance that will help you honor your loved one with a dignified funeral service.
In Florida, funeral homes are not legally obligated to provide cremation services free of charge or on credit if the deceased or their family cannot pay. However, many funeral homes understand the sensitive nature of these situations and may work with families to find affordable solutions or payment plans.
Another option for families is whole body donation. For example, United Tissue Network accepts most bodies, paying 100% of the costs for transportation, storage, and cremation. Bodies are used for scientific research, medical training, and testing treatments and drug therapies.
Once a specified time for cremation has been put into writing, the cremation must be performed within the next 48 hours. Florida law also states that you do not require a casket for a burial or a cremation.
As far as cremation is concerned, there are three types: resomation, aqua cremation, and bio cremation. Water and potassium hydroxide is used to reduce a corpse to bone ash. While it takes a long time, this is the best way to treat the body without the use of chemicals.
According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the national median cost of a burial with funeral and viewing in 2021 was $9,420. The national median cost of cremation with funeral and viewing in 2021 was $5,365 (without cremation casket and urn).
Some states are generally more expensive for cremation than others. This can be due to higher energy costs, a less competitive cremation market, and a lower cremation rate. Even within a state or city, the cost of cremation can differ by $100 or even $1000.
All Florida cremations are required to wait 48 hours after the cause of death before cremation can commence. This waiting period gives peace of mind of knowing that the cremation hasn't been rushed and if there is a mistake somewhere in the process there's time to discover it.
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as Medicare funeral assistance. While Medicare doesn't offer funeral benefits, the Social Security Administration offers a small bit of aid through a Special Lump-Sum Death Payment of $255 to a surviving spouse or child of the beneficiary.
Are there free cremations or burials ? If you cannot afford a burial or cremation, you can sign a form with the county coroner's office and the state will bury or cremate the body for you. This will be at no cost, but you won't have any say in where or how.
With cemetery fees on top of that, you're looking at around $9,000 for a traditional funeral service. In comparison to this, a direct cremation can be arranged for under $1,100 in most cities in Florida and for as little as $795 in some areas.
Direct cremation is your least expensive cremation option. This is when a cremation is simply carried out without a service or ceremony. It is a simple, dignified cremation of the deceased with minimal 'fuss' and at a minimal cost.
All Florida cremations are required to wait 48 hours after the cause of death before cremation can commence. This waiting period gives peace of mind of knowing that the cremation hasn't been rushed and if there is a mistake somewhere in the process there's time to discover it.
Some states are generally more expensive for cremation than others. This can be due to higher energy costs, a less competitive cremation market, and a lower cremation rate. Even within a state or city, the cost of cremation can differ by $100 or even $1000.
The cost of cremation is lower for a few reasons including: There's no embalming or dressing of the person who's died, and families do not view the body. Scattering ashes does not cost anything as you do not need a permit (just the landowner's permission).
The legal next of kin or personal representative is responsible for the disposition of the body, and is also entitled to possession of the body or cremated ashes. A crematorium authority is legally required to hand over the ashes to the person who delivered the body for cremation.
Introduction: My name is Kareem Mueller DO, I am a vivacious, super, thoughtful, excited, handsome, beautiful, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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