Cremation has gained wide acceptance in the state of Florida among people organizing the last arrangements for their departed loved ones. Flexible, economical, and environmentally friendly- cremation stands out as an alternative form of burial. But the costs that entail cremation are as dissimilar as they come, heavily dependent on different aspects, among which are location and cremation facility.
Considering what affects cremation costs Florida will help families in their informed decision making in the last rites of their departed loved ones. This blog will touch on each of the important factors determining the price of cremation in Florida and provide additional tips for navigating this setting.
Estimated Average Cost for Cremation in Florida
– Direct Cremation: $700-3,000
– Cremation with a Memorial Service: $2,000-5,000
– Traditional Funeral with Cremation: $4,000-6,000.
Factors That Affect the Price of Cremation in Florida
Types of Cremation Services
This is one of the most important aspects leading to the variation in costs is the type of cremation service selected.
Direct Cremation: This is the least expensive option, where the remains are handled and transported to the crematorium and cremated without the memorial service or funeral service.
Cremation with Memorial Services: Under this type of cremation, the subject would be cremated at some time prior to or after the memorial service. The price increase associated with this service is all about reserving venue space, organizing the function staff, and any other service variations (like floral arrangements).
Traditional Funeral with Cremation: In this case, one would hold a normal funeral service, and later on, the corpse would be cremated. The cost is usually made of several parts, such as embalming and a casket, in addition to viewing or visitation, which makes it the most expensive option.
Funeral Home and Crematorium Fees
Prices vary for each crematorium or funeral home and become influenced by different regions in Florida. For example, subsistence areas like Miami, Orlando, or Tampa may price their services steeper than rural areas. This is mainly because costs are more in urban environments compared to less populated areas.
Moreover, some crematoriums impose additional charges for premium service, such as expedited cremation, plus advance memorial services.
Transportation and Handling
Another cost associated with transporting the deceased to the funeral home or crematorium is the distance from the place of death. Special transport requirements or long-distance transportation may increase this cost.
For example, if the body has to be transported from one city to another in Florida or out of the State, transport could run into thousands of dollars very quickly.
Cremation Container and Urn Selection
According to Florida law, a cremation container must be used, and, as part of the basic cremation package, this is often included. Otherwise, extra enhancement and upgrade of this container will most likely increase the costs if a family decides to have a container or casket for covering viewing or memorial services more expensive.
In the same way, urn selection will also have a bearing on cost. Generally, these urns will form part of the package, but very ornate or personalized urns will cost in excess of $50 to maybe $1,000 or more, depending on the materials and craftsmanship.
Permits and Death Certificates
Florida state law typically requires licenses and permits from the state-specific administrative offices from the county. Survival permits and inclusion permits are required for the death certificates; survival permits also typically will have a range of costs for different families.
Additional Services and Add-Ons
Many funeral homes and crematoriums have optional offerings, which could augment the cremation service, but will also increase the stated price. They include:
Witness Cremation: Witnessed cremation sessions often incur an extra fee for families who wish to witness the beginning of the cremation process.
Memorial Goods: One could add some personal touch to these cremation services which incurs extra costs, such as keepsake jewelry, engraved urns, or photo tribute items.
Grief Support and Counseling Services: This may include grief counseling or even counseling groups offered by selected providers in their packages of service.
Ways to Cut Costs on Cremation in Florida
Although there is a general agreement that cremation is less costly than burial, you can also find ways of trimming your expenses further:
Browsing: It is a must for funeral homes and crematoriums in Florida to provide a General Price List (GPL). That means you can visit several of these providers, compare the prices they offer, and find the best fit for your pocket.
Consider Direct Cremation: If one is looking to get something affordable, direct cremation is the way to go since it eliminates much of the additional costs that arise with services or memorials.
Look for Packages: Many providers usually offer affordable packages for certain cremation services at a discount.
Select Simple Urns: Select the basic urn in the package and consider changing it later if necessary.
Prepay Plan: Pre-arranging and prepaying for cremation services locks in current prices and lessens the financial burden on the ones left behind.
Plan your activity in advance and look into your different options for that appropriate farewell depending on your needs, whether through a simple, direct cremation or elaborate memorial service. Compare providers and share with your family so you would have a clear idea on what you are doing.
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