How Much Does a Funeral Cost in Florida

Funeral insurance also known as final expense life insurance helps the insured family to pay all death care costs. It also allows the policyholder to plan your burial expenses ahead of time so that the policyholder can decide how he would like to be remembered.

In Florida, funeral costs are rising day by day and they reach about $6,500 nowadays. In case you or your loved ones die without any planning for your final expenses, there will be a hefty bill left on the surviving ones to cover your funeral and burial costs.

However, if you are willing to buy burial or funeral insurance, note that its cost depends on several factors. These factors may include age, gender, health condition, and others. Let’s first discuss the average burial insurance cost with gender differences.

Average Cost of Funeral Insurance in Florida

Female

Age	$5,000	$10,000	$15,000
50	$12.86	$23.06	$33.08
55	$14.97	$26.94	$38.90
60	$18.04	$32.87	$47.70
65	$22.11	$41.01	$59.91
70	$28.07	$53.12	$78.18
75	$37.81	$72.41	$107.01
80	$50.82	$98.43	$146.05
85	$69.55	$135.90	$202.25
90	$149.69	$296.41	NA

Male

Age	$5,000	$10,000	$15,000
50	$15.37	$27.73	$40.08
55	$18.72	$34.43	$50.13
60	$22.72	$42.42	$62.13
65	$28.41	$53.82	$79.22
70	$36.47	$69.93	$103.38
75	$50.22	$97.43	$144.64
80	$71.44	$139.73	$207.99
85	$97.97	$192.74	$287.51
90	$176.59	$350.21	NA

Average of Funeral Expenses in Florida

Traditional Full Service Burial

Basic Services	$1,885
Transfer to Funeral Home	$397
Embalming	$803
Dressing and Casketing	$258
Viewing	$427
Ceremony	$506
Hearse	$355
Utility Vehicle	$173
Median-Priced Casket	$3,500
Total Cost	$8,304

Full Service Cremation

Basic Services	$1,857
Transfer to Funeral Home	$395
Embalming	$800
Dressing and Casketing	$257
Viewing	$426
Ceremony	$508
Transfer to Crematory	$43
Crematory Fee	$398
Cremation Casket	$1,200
Total Cost	$5,885

What are funeral and burial expectations in Florida?

Each state determines and enforces different laws in terms of embalming, cremation, and death certificates.

Death Certificates

In Florida, the funeral director or medical examiner must have to file a death certificate within five days of a deceased’s death. It should take place before the cremation or burying of the dead body.

Embalming

According to Florida’s law, there is no need for embalming, but if the burial or cremation of a person doesn’t take place within 24 hours, the body must be refrigerated.

Cremation Services

This state demands a waiting period of 48 hours before cremation and the legal heirs of the deceased have to sign the permit. Moreover, Florida doesn’t require a casket for cremation, however, it is recommended to use a rigid, suitable container made up of reinforced cardboard or plywood.

How do you pay for a funeral in Florida?

Deciding your payment options in advance will enable you to plan your end-life ceremonies in the way you want. Furthermore, by doing so you can also make it easier and less stressful for your loved ones left behind. One of the most convenient ways to cover your final expenses is to buy a life insurance plan so that your funeral and burial costs are covered.

Here are some of the options for paying for your own funeral:

1- Life Insurance

A life insurance plan can be used to cover burial costs, however, payment may be received in 10 to 60 days. In that case, funeral expenses could be paid upfront and reimbursed later.

2- Burial Insurance

Funeral or burial insurance is designed to cover funeral expenses. Unlike life insurance plans, death benefits are usually paid out instantly after demise. Moreover, burial insurance doesn’t demand a medical exam from the applicant to qualify.

3- POD Account

A POD (payable on death) account is used in estate planning to hold funds payable to beneficiaries after the death of the account holder. It will ensure that money is passed directly to the aligned beneficiaries.

4- Pre-Need Funeral Plan

This includes a prepayment to a funeral home to cover the cost of a funeral or burial. However, after making the payment you can’t switch your funeral homes. In case the business goes under or maybe close, you will lose your money.

5- Savings Account

Instead of paying monthly premiums to insurance companies or giving advance payments to funeral homes, you can set an amount into your savings account each month.

How to pay for a loved one’s final expenses?

Now let’s discuss some of the options for paying the final expenses of a loved one:

The Deceased’s Estate: The amount from the deceased’s estate can be used to pay for funeral expenses, although you have to pay the burial and funeral costs upfront.

Funeral Loans: Taking out a funeral loan is another way to pay for final expenses, but it will cost you more money due to high interest rates.

Out of Pocket: It involves using your savings or a credit card to pay the cost of the final expenses. Meanwhile, it can create an overwhelming financial burden on you and you have to reach out to your family or friends to support you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1- What services are involved in burial and funeral costs?

Here are some of the services involved in the average cost of burial and funeral:

Embalming
Transportation
Private viewing
Burial vault
Opening and closing costs of grave
Gravesite marker
Flowers

2- Is Cremation expensive in Florida?

Cremation is an alternative to burial and is becoming famous everywhere in the USA nowadays. The main reason for its popularity is its low cost as it is less expensive than traditional burial and funeral.

3- Who can pay for funeral costs?

It is imperative to understand who is responsible for covering different costs related to funeral and burial expenses. However, the state law of Florida decides how and where to bury the deceased. They prioritize the deceased person’s will or last wishes, otherwise, it’ll falls to the family members accordingly:

Spouse
Adult Child
Parents
Siblings
Grandchildren
Grandparents
Next of kin