Why People Do Not or Cannot Prepare for End-of-Life

A recent Funeral and Memorial Information Council survey indicates that 89% of Americans 40 years old or older feel that talking about their end-of-life wishes is meaningful. Still, only 17% had created a plan.  This information highlights the fact that talking about dying and planning for the end of your life is hard to do, so people tend not to do it.  

Why don’t we prepare?  Every individual has their own reasons, but some stand out. Of the top five reasons people don’t plan ahead, not having enough money is #2! And if the death of a loved one is unexpected, worrying about how to pay for a funeral only increases the shock and grief.

Cremation Services and the Average Cost of Cremation in Florida

In 2023, the average funeral costs across the US range from $6684 to $14,975. In Florida, the average is $7,600.  Costs for a traditional service and burial go up to around $9000 when you add in the cemetery and other service fees. For many families, particularly those who are struggling financially, these costs are a burden they cannot bear.  And many individuals don’t want to pass those costs on to their families.

Due in part to the high costs of traditional funerals and burials, more people are turning to cremation as their end-of-life choice.  According to a 2021 estimate by the National Funeral Directors Association, 57.5% of people choose cremation as their end-of-life option, and they project that number will go up to as much as 80% over the next twenty years.  

The average cost of cremation in Florida is significantly lower than traditional burial options.  Costs vary by the type of cremation you choose.  The three most typical are: 

• Traditional Cremation is like a traditional funeral and burial and includes a casket, body preparation, and a memorial service. The costs can run as high as $7000.
• Direct Cremation, where the body is cremated shortly after death and does not include any body preparation or service, is much less expensive in Florida and ranges from $975 – $1681.
• Whole-Body Donation to Science is the lowest cost and the choice for cremation services if you have no money.

How To Access Cremation Services if You Have No Money

Many families cannot afford a funeral or other end-of-life services for their loved one who has passed away. There is little if any, social services help for these types of costs. The lowest-cost cremation option, which not only allows access to cremation services if you have no money but also allows your loved one to contribute to medical education, is Whole Body Donation with Cremation; that is, donating the body to science, followed by cremation.  

Mainlinehealth.org revealed 95% of Americans approve organ and tissue donation, but half are registered donors.  How can that be?  People don’t like to discuss their own end of life plans or discuss death and dying in general, but donating to science is another leap.   

 

Whole-body donation has important advantages, especially because it is a very low-cost (or no-cost) cremation service. It is an easy way to leave a legacy, and it allows you to help others through medical training and scientific research supported by donation.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful to help cure a disease that may have taken your loved one from you? Whole-body donation is easy to set up, and it buys you time; time to grieve and decide how to best honor your loved one.   

 

Whole-body donation’s contribution to science cannot be overstated.  Scientific research and our understanding of how diseases start, progress, and are treated, are sustained using human tissue. Research breakthroughs in diseases like Alzheimer’s, diabetes, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, and more have been made possible because individuals chose to donate.

Body donation is critical in helping health and medical science students master their comprehension of the anatomy of the human body. Medical students and other healthcare professionals study deceased human bodies to learn and perfect the skills that will one day benefit society. 

Who Provides Cremation Services for Free in Florida?

United Tissue Network provides free cremation services in Florida and is the only true non-profit (501C3) organization to do so.  The caring, experienced, and local staff at UTN are available to help you access cremation services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Their locally-based Donor Services Coordinators understand the challenge of losing someone and will help you navigate a difficult time.  United Tissue Network began providing services in 2009, and since then, it has helped nearly 12,000 families find comfort in knowing that they have both honored their loved ones and helped countless others they will never know.  

How do I get started Getting help Paying for Cremation?

It is easy to get help paying for cremation.  Visit UTN for more information about cremation services and whole-body donations.  Begin the easy online, self-directed registration process now, or call us toll-free at 1-877-738-6111.  In Florida, you can also register here. In Arizona, you can also register here.