How much does a funeral cost in Florida?

Funerals are costly, when you up a funeral director’s basic service fees, along with transportation, casket, embalming, viewing and burial — a traditional funeral can cost anywhere between $7,000 and $12,000 or more, though the national average cost is $7,640. Funeral costs in Florida sit below the national average at $7,461. Plus, there are several ways you can cover this cost by planning ahead.

Average funeral costs with burial in Florida

In Florida, the average cost of a funeral with services and burial is $7,461, which sits below the national average. Here’s a breakdown of the different costs that make up a typical burial funeral in Florida.

Average cost of a funeral with burial in Florida

Average funeral costs with cremation in Florida

An average funeral with cremation and services in Florida is $5,021. An urn will cost an extra $295, on average. While paying $5,316 for a cremation and urn a substantial amount of money, it’s still significantly less than a traditional funeral with burial.

If you wish to reduce costs further, there’s the option of direct cremation. With direct cremation, there’s no service performed. Instead, the body is taken directly from the hospital or home to the crematory. If you take the time to research, you can typically find direct cremation services for under $1,000.

Average cost of a funeral with cremation in Florida

Other funeral costs you may have to pay

Please note that the average funeral costs listed above do not include the following items:

• Headstone or grave marker. Grave markers can cost anywhere between $199 for simple headstones to over $10,000 for more complex monuments and statues.
• Burial plot. Burial plots are not included in the cost of a funeral and typically cost $1,000 to $4,000 or more depending on the city and if it’s a private or public cemetery.
• Flowers. Memorial floral wreaths or casket decorations are extra, so you’ll need to factor these costs in as well.

How to pay for a funeral in Florida

Deciding on your funeral payment options in advance can make paying for a funeral easier and less stressful for those left behind. The easiest way to make sure your expenses are covered is to buy a life insurance policy to cover funeral and burial costs.

Options for paying for your own funeral:

• Life insurance. A life insurance policy can be used to cover funeral costs, although payment may not be received for 10 to 60 days. This means funeral costs must be paid upfront and reimbursed later.
• Burial (final expense) insurance. Burial insurance is used to cover funeral expenses and unlike life insurance, funds are usually paid out immediately after death. Burial insurance in Florida does not require a medical exam.
• Payable on death (POD) account. A POD account is used in estate planning to hold funds that are paid to beneficiaries when you pass away. A POD ensures money is passed directly to your beneficiaries after death.
• Pre-need funeral plan. This is prepayment to a funeral home that covers the cost of a funeral. Keep in mind you may not be able to switch funeral homes and if the business goes under, you could lose your money.
• Savings account. Instead of paying for insurance premiums or giving money to a funeral home, put a set amount into a savings account every month.

Options for paying for a loved one’s funeral:

• The deceased’s estate. Proceeds from the deceased’s estate can be used to pay for a funeral, although you may be required to pay for the funeral upfront.
• Funeral loans. You can take out a funeral loan to pay for a funeral, but this can cost more money in the long run due to high-interest rates.
• Out of pocket. This option involves dipping into savings or using a credit card. If this creates an overwhelming financial burden, consider reaching out to family members for support.
• Crowdfunding. While somewhat unconventional, this option is being used by more families, especially when the death is sudden and no life insurance is available.

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.

Other funeral assistance programs include:

• Veterans Affairs. If you’re a veteran, your family may receive up to a $2,000 burial allowance, if costs are not covered by any other organization.
• Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. This foundation offers interest-free loans to dependents of former Navy and Marine personnel.
• FEMA. Eligible applicants may receive up to $9,000 for a COVID-19 related funeral for which they are responsible and that occurred in a covered area.

Compare burial insurance policies in Florida

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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.

Learn more about life insurance to find out if it’s the best option for you and your family.

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