You can spend $800 on a direct cremation, or you can spend $6,000 or more on a traditional cremation with a full-service funeral. The choice is highly personal and depends on cultural and religious beliefs along with budget constraints.
Many people want the ceremony and tradition of a funeral service while others prefer a simple sendoff.
What’s right for you? We’ll explain the different options for cremation and break down what you get and the cost for each, starting by answering the question, how much does cremation cost without services?
How Much Does Cremation Cost Without Services?
The average cost for cremation without services nationally is about $1,500. This is direct cremation, which typically includes basic services, such as:
- Transportation to a cremation facility
- Paperwork and permitting
- The cremation of the deceased in a simple cardboard or wooden box
- Return of the remains to family members in a temporary container
One of the reasons direct cremation is an affordable option is that it does not include embalming, preparing the body, viewing or visitation, casket or urn, burial or interment of remains, or memorial ceremony.
Here’s a breakdown of average cremation costs across Florida. As you can see, most prices in Florida are above the national average. Cremation in the Tampa area falls in the middle range. Keep in mind that these are the average costs and you can often find direct cremation packages online for around $800.
| CITY | AVERAGE PRICE – DIRECT CREMATION |
|---|---|
| CAPE CORAL | $1,474 |
| FORT LAUDERDALE | $1,855 |
| GAINESVILLE | $2,113 |
| JACKSONVILLE | $1,708 |
| MIAMI | $1,403 |
| ORLANDO | $1,576 |
| PENSACOLA | $3,210 |
| PORT ST. LUCIE | $1,565 |
| TALLAHASSEE | $2,095 |
| TAMPA | $1,723 |
SOURCE: US Funerals Online
More People Are Choosing Cremation
In the Tampa–St. Petersburg area, more people are choosing cremation rather than a traditional funeral and burial. According to the Florida Vital Statistics Annual Report, more than 66% of families chose cremation in Hillsborough County and nearly 78% in Pinellas County.
Other Cremation Options in the Tampa Area
If you want to add other services, such as a memorial, celebration of life, viewing ceremony, or a more traditional funeral, this will increase the cost.
For example, a cremation with memorial service typically ranges between $2,000 and $4,000, depending on the services you choose. Besides cremation, this might include embalming for a viewing ceremony, a rental casket, and a memorial ceremony at a funeral home or chapel. If you would prefer a more traditional funeral service, including a procession and funeral ceremony, you can expect to pay between $4,000 and $8,000.
In each case, however, these costs are lower than the average cost for a traditional funeral with burial, which, according to the National Funeral Directors Association, is about $8,300.
How Can I Lower the Costs of Cremation?
The actual cost can vary depending on your location and the service provider you choose. Each provider sets its prices. So, if cost is a factor in your decision, you can compare options at different funeral homes or cremation providers.
Many providers include pricing on their websites. For others, you can ask for a General Price List, which itemizes the cost of each service. Providers must provide you with this list under the Funeral Rule so that you can compare costs.
You can also lower or offset your costs by:
- Holding a memorial service at home or another venue such as a park
- Purchasing a memorial urn online rather than through a funeral home
- Preplanning and pre-paying for cremation services to lock in pricing
- Claiming the survivor benefits from the Social Security Administration
- Checking for benefits for veterans through the VA
How Can I Get Free Cremation?
For families that are in severe financial distress, the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office or Pinellas Medical Examiner’s Office may provide financial assistance, including free cremation. You will need to provide proof of your finances, including any savings or assets, like a home or car, for your family to qualify.
Another way to get free cremation is by donating your body to medical science.
Free Cremation with Body Donation for Medical Science
When you donate your body or that of a loved one, you are making an important contribution to advancing medical science. Donated bodies help medical students learn about human anatomy, surgeons refine innovative surgical techniques, and researchers study diseases and develop new treatment options.
In Florida, United Tissue Network coordinates whole body donations and pays for 100% of the costs associated with transportation of the deceased, placement with a reputable medical research or educational facility, and cremation after research has been completed.
Contact United Tissue Network at (877) 738-6111 to learn more about whole body donation or register online.
