Do you need to arrange an affordable funeral or direct cremation service in the Greater Miami area? Read on to learn more about cremation costs in Miami and other useful tips and FAQs to help you save money when arranging a cremation service.
If you have an immediate need for a low-cost cremation service, call (305) 901-2403 now.
Complete direct cremation service for just $795
What does a cremation cost?
People are using the internet to find out about cremation costs. But, it can still be difficult to find concise information about what a cremation costs in Miami. Prices can be confusing and differ between cremation providers and for the type of service selected.
Online funeral Price comparison websites put the average cost of a direct cremation at $1,403*. However, a direct cremation can be arranged for just $795 complete.
The average cost for a full-service cremation is $5,454*, or you can arrange an affordable cremation service with a 2-hour visitation for under $1,500.
How do I decide on which type of cremation service?
Many folks today are saying, “I just want a cremation,” without being clear about what kind of cremation service they want. Direct cremation, which is a simple cremation with no ceremony or services, is becoming the most popular choice.
Direct cremation offers a very affordable death care option with minimal ‘fuss’. Also, with Florida being home to so many transplants and snowbirds, a direct cremation can be arranged from out of state, and cremated remains shipped back to the family anywhere in the United States.
How long does it take to arrange a cremation and get the cremated remains back?
This can depend on the circumstances. If all the paperwork and cremation authorizations are in order, the funeral director should be able to obtain the permit to cremate from the county within 2-3 days. Paperwork can often be submitted online or emailed to speed up the process.
Then it is a matter of scheduling the cremation with the crematory.
Without any complications or delays, the cremation should be conducted, and the cremated remains are available for the family to collect within 7-10 days.
If necessary, an expedited cremation can be arranged, but usually, there is a surcharge for this service.
What do I legally need to know about arranging a cremation service for a loved one?
Firstly, the legal next of kin who is making the cremation arrangements must submit the required personal information of the deceased to the funeral director so that the death certificate can be obtained. A release form is usually required, authorizing the funeral home to collect the deceased from wherever he or she passed and take the body into the care of the funeral home.
A Cremation Authorization Form must be correctly signed by ALL immediate next of kin to consent to the cremation. This is fairly straightforward when there is only one next of kin or the deceased had signed and pre-authorized cremation as part of pre-planning.
If there are multiple legal next of kin (for example, siblings), this can sometimes delay the process of obtaining the permit to cremate or even stall it altogether. If the family has lost contact with siblings, is estranged, or siblings have spread far away, this can seriously complicate the authorization process.
There is funeral legislation that dictates a ‘wait’ period after death before a cremation can be conducted anyway. In Florida, the mandatory wait period is 48 hours before a body can be cremated. That being said, it usually takes this time anyway to complete all the paperwork, obtain the county permits, and schedule the cremation.
The funeral director will obtain a copy of the death certificate for the family as part of his services. Additional copies can be requested if required. Often more than one copy is needed to close down the deceased’s estate. The $795 direct cremation package includes one copy of the death certificate, and additional copies are charged at $20.00 each.
Check out our Ultimate Guide to Cremation 2023 for further reading about arranging cremation services.
What happens if the deceased is at the Medical Examiner?
If the death occurred outside of a medical facility, was an accident, or is unexplained, the body will be transferred to the Medical Examiner’s office. It is the responsibility of the coroner to determine a cause of death before a death certificate can be issued.
You will need to arrange for a funeral home to collect your loved one once the coroner releases the body.
Only a licensed funeral director can transport the deceased from the ME’s morgue, and the next of kin will need to sign a release form for the Medical Examiner to release the body into the care of a funeral home.
The Medical Examiner will issue the death certificate and permit to cremate once they release the body. If you have further questions about identifying the body and making arrangements for the transfer of the deceased, you can contact the Medical Examiner for Miami-Dade County at (305) 545-2400.
Alternatively, you can find them at:
Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner Department
1851 NW 10th Avenue, Miami, Florida, 33136
What can I do with the cremated remains?
As more families opt for a direct cremation service, this question arises frequently. Cremation certainly opens up different options for memorializing. Of course, you can choose to inter the cremation urn in a cemetery plot or cremation niche.
If you do not wish to do this, other popular options are to scatter the ashes in a special place or create a unique cremation artifact from some of the cremated remains.
Is there any help towards the cost of paying for a cremation?
Unfortunately, very little financial aid is available to assist families with funeral expenses. The Miami-Dade County Public Interment Program (PIP) can help direct families to a low-cost direct cremation provider, but services will be restricted. PIP case processing can take 8 – 12 weeks.
There is also the Bencomo Foundation. A not-for-profit organization formed to help families in Miami with funeral expenses.
And, if qualifying, there is a $255 Social Security Lump-sum Death Benefit payment. The funeral director will usually help you to apply for this.
If you travel (as 80% of adults do these days), you may wish to consider purchasing a Travel Protection Plan. This affordable assurance policy provides you with lifetime cover for funeral costs should you happen to pass away 75 miles or more away from your home.
The plan costs just $450 for an individual or $875 for a couple and will cover all costs for a cremation at the place of death or returning the deceased to his or her home state. This plan is especially beneficial for snowbirds, retirees, or those that winter in Florida. The cover is worldwide.
Read more about this affordable peace of mind death expense coverage here: Travel Protection Plan.
*Funeralocity 2023
