Cremation has become more popular than a traditional funeral and burial. More than 60% of families nationwide choose cremation as their end-of-life option. The National Funeral Directors Association forecasts that cremations will account for 80% of funeral types by 2045.
It might not be your first concern when a loved one passes, but you will certainly want to know how much it will cost. While prices vary depending on the services you choose and what providers are available in your area, we can help you understand basic prices and options.
Average Cost of Direct Cremation in Florida
The average cost of direct cremation in Florida is about $2,600, although there are often options available for as little as $800 through some licensed crematoriums and funeral homes.
How much do direct cremation services near you compare to other alternatives? Here is a side-by-side comparison.
| TYPE | AVERAGE COST (FLORIDA) |
| Direct Cremation | $2,616 |
| Direct Cremation with Service | $6,103 |
| Traditional Funeral and Burial | $8,023 |
| Direct Burial without Service | $5,652 |
Source: National Funeral Director Association, Funeralocity
As you can see, direct cremation is the most affordable option. There may be additional fees, included or extra, depending on the type of service you choose. For direct cremation, there may be additional fees for:
- Urns: Typically, direct cremation returns the remains in a simple box or urn. You may choose to use a different container.
- Services: Any memorial services at a funeral home or chapel may incur costs.
- Transportation: There may be fees for transportation or preparation of the deceased. This varies by circumstance.
- Death certificates: Certified copies of death certificates from the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics
- Cemetery burial: Purchase of burial plots, mausoleums, headstones, or markets
Help for Indigent Families
For families in Florida without the financial resources to pay for funeral services, there are programs in each county that can help with indigent burials. You will have to demonstrate proof of income. For example, in Miami-Dade County, the fees are reduced to $115 if a family shows proof of receiving government assistance. In St. Lucie County, the deceased must not have assets of more than $750.
In other areas, families may need to show that they are below 20% of the federal poverty guidelines.
What You Should Know About Direct Cremation
If you work with a funeral home or crematory, the federal Funeral Law requires that the service provider shows you their General Price List (GPL). This breaks down the fees for each service you need so you can choose the ones you want. You do not have to pick a “package” price, although there may be some savings by doing so.
You should also know that you are not required to purchase or lease a casket or have the body embalmed in the state of Florida—unless you plan a public viewing. Funeral homes will require embalming to preserve bodies in case of a memorial service with a viewing. There will also be fees associated with renting a facility from the funeral home for the service, staff services, and body preparation.
No-Cost Direct Cremation and Whole Body Donation
Another option in Florida is whole body donation. By donating a body to medical science, you are making an important contribution. Many families choose to do so as a way to honor the legacy of their loved one, knowing that their donation can help train the next generation of doctors and surgeons, uncover new drugs or treatment therapies for patients, or test and develop new medical devices to improve quality of life for patients.
Cadavers serve as the most accurate representation of human anatomy, enabling advanced surgical training and skills development for medical professionals and students. Additionally, disease research relies on the analysis of human tissue to better understand illnesses and develop improved diagnostic and treatment options. As technology and practices in medicine continue to advance, donated bodies will remain an essential tool for pushing this progress forward.
In Florida, United Tissue Network (UTN) coordinates whole body donations. After medical research has been completed, UTN transports the body for direct cremation and returns the remains to families upon request. UTN pays 100% of the cost for storage, transportation, cremation, and return of the remains. There is no cost for families.
You can be both an organ donor and a whole body donor. UTN will coordinate programs to ensure organ donations for life-saving transplants take priority and help you find direct cremation services near you.
United Tissue Bank is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency and accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB).
If you would like to know more about whole body donations in Florida, contact United Tissue Network today at 877-738-6111.