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Your average cost of a burial in the US runs a steep $6,723.92 according to the latest research from finder.com. You’ll likely pay just under that in Florida — unless you’re in Tallahassee, where the average is $7,230.
Average cost of a funeral in Florida
The average cost of a burial in Florida is $6,501. Funeral costs are more than just the burial though, and the total for a traditional funeral runs just over $10,700.
Here’s a breakdown of the average costs associated with each in Florida:
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Burial | $6,501 |
| Casket (wood) | $2,984 |
| Transportation (hearse) | $325 |
| Private viewing | $200 |
| Embalming | $725 |
Casket, transportation, private viewing, embalming and urn costs are based on national averages found in a study conducted by the National Funeral Directors Association in 2017 which showed an average price increase in funerals of around 6.4% in a span of 5 years. Remember that these are average numbers and may vary depending on which funeral home you work with.
Average cost of cremation in Florida
Cremation is typically much less expensive than a traditional burial, even with services — and it’s no different in Florida. On average, a cremation with services in Florida runs around $3,397. Without services, also known as direct cremation, can be as little as $695.
While traditional funerals have a lot of additional costs, the only other purchase you’ll generally have to worry about with a cremation is the urn. With the average price of an urn in Florida at $275, it brings the total average cost with services to $3,672.
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Cremation | $3,407 |
| Urn | $275 |
How to pay for a funeral in Florida
Funeral costs can be intimidating during an already immensely stressful time, but you have funding options.
If you’re making your own arrangements, consider:
- Life insurance. You can have peace of mind that your family won’t be stuck paying a hefty funeral cost after your death by purchasing a life insurance plan that offers funeral coverage. It can cover everything from lost income to funeral expenses and leftover debt. Though we’re unable to find direct data to support differences in life insurance costs by state, some experts suggest living in areas prone to natural disasters — such as hurricanes — may result in higher life insurance premiums.
- Burial insurance. Meant to only cover end of life costs, burial insurance comes with lower coverage amounts than term or whole life insurance.
- Payable on death account. A payable on death (POD) account is a bank account that’s separate from your normal finances and only to be withdrawn from once you pass away. The idea is to build up savings specifically for your end of life costs in a stable, low-risk way.
- Pre-need funeral insurance. While this is an option for some, it may be a necessity for others. Some senior care facilities in Florida require burial arrangements be prepaid. However, this may not be the most cost-effective or risk-free way. Learn more about pre-need funeral insurance and see if it’s the right option for your needs.
To cover the cost of a loved one’s ceremony, options include:
- Out of pocket. While not ideal, cash or credit can be used to cover the costs. If you’re not one of the lucky few with a couple extra grand kicking around, it may be worth pooling family funds or looking into low-cost burial options if this is your primary way of paying.
- The deceased’s estate. Bank accounts, the $225 Social Security payment that’s due upon death if qualified for, investment accounts and selling physical assets can help reduce out-of-pocket costs if arrangements aren’t made ahead of time. According to the 2019 Forbes list of billionaires, 52 are Florida residents — a factor that can skew the average estate worth.
- Funeral loans. Going into debt to cover end of life costs is far from the easiest decision to make. Taking out a funeral loan comes with the same drawbacks as taking out any other unsecured loan — no collateral usually results in higher APRs than secured loans, monthly payments can put a strain on your finances and the amount you’re eligible for may not completely cover the outstanding costs.
Other funeral costs
Please note that the average funeral costs listed above do not include the following items:
- Headstones and grave markers. Since these are made-to-order items, grave markers can range anywhere between $199 for simple headstones to over $10,000 for monuments and statues depending on their style and complexity.
- Funeral plots. While it seems odd that this is not included in the cost of the funeral, you’ll also need to account for the price of the burial plot. This can range anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 or more depending on what city it’s located in and if its a private or public cemetery.
- Flowers. If you want to have memorial floral wreaths or casket decorations at the funeral, the cost will vary based on the type of flowers you want.
Does Florida have funeral assistance programs?
The only assistance the state of Florida offers is in the form of a mandate. Those who pass away indigent and whose bodies are unclaimed are given a proper burial by Florida Health and Human Services. Burial assistance may also be provided by the county the deceased was living in depending on if the person was a victim of a crime or income limits are met.
The Funeral Consumers Alliance (FCA) is a national nonprofit organization that has four groups in Florida. Becoming a member of one of these groups may give access to lower cost funeral services, but some may be able to provide resources or support regardless of membership.
Compare burial insurance policies in Florida
Bottom line
While Florida doesn’t have any official assistance programs, you can still reach out to a local FCA group to lower the cost of your own final expenses or get help finding low-cost options for a loved one. You can also look into burial alternatives that may be less expensive.
If you’re working on your own arrangements, you may want to look further into life insurance to learn whether it’s a good funding option.
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