Arranging a Funeral or Cremation Service in Orlando
This guide should answer some of the questions you have if making funeral or cremation arrangements in Orlando. Regardless of whether you are researching with an interest in making a cremation plan for yourself or need to arrange a funeral or cremation service for a loved one who has passed.
Direct cremation service $795 Call Now (407) 710-8865
We have put together the following FAQs about cremation costs and funeral prices in the Orlando area, as well as state funeral laws and other funeral/cremation considerations.
What to do when a death occurs: The First Call
When a death occurs, your first point of call is to select a funeral home or direct disposer to handle funeral arrangements and transfer the deceased into their care. Most deaths occur in a medical facility, where they can be held for a short period in the hospital morgue if necessary.
Try not to feel like you need to rush this decision. Give yourself some time to select the right funeral service provider for your needs.
How to choose a funeral home or cremation service provider in Orlando?
If your loved one had no funeral plan, and you have no prior experience with a funeral home, this will be the first decision to make. There are around 40 funeral service locations in Orlando.
If you want to have a funeral ceremony, the physical location of the funeral home may be an important consideration.
Also, if you are working toward a specific financial budget for the funeral cost, you will likely want to make funeral price comparisons before selecting a suitable funeral home.
What are the funeral service or cremation service options in Orlando?
With the range of funeral service providers serving the Orlando area, you can arrange anything from a full-service traditional funeral to a simple direct cremation service. Decide if you want a traditional funeral, something more modern like a life celebration service, or if you want to consider cremation as a more affordable option.
Read on to find out more about “direct cremation” and how it is your most affordable option.
What is the average cost of a funeral service in Orlando?
According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the average funeral cost for an adult funeral is $7,848 but can go up to as much as $9,895. This is based on the most commonly selected items for a traditional funeral, including a casket and vault.
However, it does not include cemetery costs. A grave space, a grave marker, and opening/closing the grave can easily cost another $1,500 to $2,500. Therefore, a typical traditional funeral and burial cost is likely at least $8,500.
How much does a cremation cost in Orlando?
Cremation cost is often more difficult to quote as it is dependent on the type of cremation service you opt for. Whether you opt for a cremation with a traditional service or a direct cremation without a service.
Cremation is a cheaper alternative to a traditional funeral, but a full-service cremation will still cost upwards of $3,000, with an average cost of $5,997* in Orlando.
Choosing Direct Cremation and Reducing Funeral Costs
A simple cremation service with no ceremony is referred to as a “direct cremation” in the funeral industry. A direct cremation can be arranged for just $795 in Orlando.
Call (407) 710-8865 for Immediate Assistance
This is the most economical funeral service arrangement available to families. However, the cost of a simple cremation can still vary between different funeral service providers in Orlando and is likely to cost nearer to $2,000 with most funeral providers.
Therefore, how much your cremation will cost will largely depend upon what type of cremation service you select and which provider you opt to conduct the service.
It is generally a good idea to check what is included in a low-cost direct cremation package to ensure there are no hidden fees. Sometimes, what can appear low-cost can have additional fees added to the full package price.
County fees are generally ‘third-party’ additional charges –such as death certificates and cremation permits. However, some affordable direct cremation packages may include a death certificate and cremation permit fee. Extra charges that can be incurred on a budget direct cremation are fees for if a residential collection is required if the deceased weighs over 300 pounds and if a pacemaker needs to be removed prior to cremation.
Choosing a ‘No Cost’ or Free Cremation with Body Donation in Orlando
You can benefit from a no-cost direct cremation when opting to donate a body for medical research. Once the donation is complete, the remains are cremated free of charge and returned to the family.
Call now for a Free Cremation with Donation (855) 278-7014
Visit our Ultimate Guide to Cremation to learn more about cremation services, the cremation process, laws governing cremation, and other FAQs.
What legal issues do I need to understand about arranging a funeral or cremation in Orlando?
Funeral licensing requires that a funeral establishment follow careful regulations for how to dispose of human remains by cremation. Florida is one of two states that do license direct disposers.
A direct disposer is not a licensed funeral director but is licensed to conduct direct cremation dispositions. Generally, as they are not operating a funeral home (with overhead), they can offer a direct cremation service at a competitive price.
A Cremation Authorization Form must be signed by the immediate next of kin before the cremation can proceed. This authorizes the final disposition of the remains. It is possible to pre-sign the Cremation Authorization Form when you make pre-arrangements if cremation is your wish. This can save heart-wrenching decisions for the surviving family.
In Florida, there is a mandatory 48-hour waiting period after death before the cremation can be performed. However, it usually takes a couple of days anyway to finalize the paperwork and obtain a permit to cremate.
There is no legal requirement for embalming before cremation, and you do not need a casket. A cremation container is used. This is a simple combustible cardboard box.
The cremation process takes about 3 hours, and then the retort is cleared, and the ‘ashes’ (which also contain bone fragments) are put through a filtering and grinding machine to produce the finely powdered cremation ashes that we typically see in a cremation urn.
Generally, the cremated remains can be returned to the family within a week, but this can be arranged on an expedited service if required.
How do I apply for a Death Certificate in Orlando?
The funeral director generally prepares and files for the death certificate. He will ask you for the personal information of the deceased in order that he has all the required information. The death must be registered with the vital records office within 5 days of the death and before the body can be cremated or buried.
You may wish to have more than 1 copy of the death certificate (multiple copies can be useful for notifying different institutions and settling the deceased’s estate).
Additional copies of a death certificate can be obtained from Florida’s Department of Health and Environment. You can apply by phone, mail, or in person, and you will be required to provide an ID to prove your relationship to the deceased.
The first death certificate costs $10.00, and each additional copy costs $5.00. For an online application, you will need to use the VitalChek portal.
832 W. Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32805 Phone (407) 858-1460
Who is responsible for paying for a funeral or cremation in Orlando?
If the deceased did not pre-arrange and pre-pay for a funeral plan, then the responsibility for paying for a funeral falls to the immediate next of kin. This can, understandably, be quite a burden for many people, and this is why more seniors today are considering setting up simple cremation arrangements.
Pre-planning can be a simple and affordable option, giving families peace of mind for when the time comes. Be aware that whoever signs the funeral contract with the funeral home is considered legally responsible for the payment of the funeral bill.
If you are interested in pre-arranging a simple cremation plan, contact your local DFS Memorials location. Call Now (407) 710-8865
What happens if the deceased is at the Orange County Medical Examiners?
If the death occurred outside of a medical facility, was an accident, or was unexplained, the body will be transferred to Orange County 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 Office of the Medical Examiner for Orlando at (407) 836-9400. Alternatively, you can find them at:
Office of the Medical Examiner
2350 E. Michigan St, Orlando, FL 32806
How do I prepare if my loved one is in hospice care in Orlando?
If your loved one is in hospice care, and the support staff has advised you to prepare for his or her passing, it can help to have provisional arrangements in place. This is so that when the time comes, the hospice can immediately contact the chosen funeral service provider and arrange the transfer of your loved one into their care.
If you contact a funeral home ahead of time, you can have some of the preparations in place. This will alleviate some of the stress that comes with having to make arrangements on short notice.
This also means the hospice knows who to call, and the authorizations and other legal documentation can be pre-prepared.
What help with funeral expenses is there for low-income or uninsured families?
More families are finding themselves in a position of not being able to pay for funeral expenses. Unfortunately, there is very limited public or state assistance for funeral costs. The state takes care of indigent deaths (as is their responsibility) with a pauper cremation.
A free cremation can be obtained if you choose to donate a loved one’s remains to science for research and medical training. Visit this article on The Benefits of Whole Body Donation in Florida with Free Cremation.
Orange County Health Services has a Public Burial & Cremation Program to assist families that live below the Federal Poverty guideline. To find out more or make an application:
Public Burial & Cremation Program
101 S. Westmoreland Drive
Orlando, FL 32805
Phone (407) 836-2642
Social Security offers a $255 death benefit payment (if qualifying), and the funeral director will be able to assist you with claiming this.
You may also find it useful to read our article on ‘What are your options on how to pay for a funeral or cremation?’. It provides more information on how you can raise funds to cover funeral expenses.
What can I legally do with the cremated remains? Laws for scattering ashes in Orlando
As the cremation rate is so high in Florida, there is a greater demand for scattering ashes, especially with the beautiful beach areas to perform this ‘last rite.’ It is legal to scatter ashes anywhere on public land, even private land (with the owner’s consent), although you may need a permit for certain controlled public land such as a state park.
Read through our section on Ash Scattering to better understand what considerations you may have if you choose to perform your own ash scattering.
Several organizations offer ocean ash scattering services in Orlando, such as Ocean Ashes and Dignity at Sea. If you wish to scatter the remains of your loved one at sea, this is regulated by the Clean Water Act, and you will need to notify the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) within 30 days of your dispersal.
Scattering into the Gulf Stream offers the opportunity to utilize the powerful Atlantic Ocean current to disperse your loved one’s remains. This warm current moves up from the Gulf of Mexico up the east coast of the U.S. before eventually traveling across the Atlantic Ocean.
Disney World does prohibit the scattering of remains in the park, and guests should be aware that they may be escorted off the property if they attempt to conduct a ‘wild cat’ scattering on park property.
I want to pre-plan a simple cremation. What is the best way to set up a cremation plan in Orlando?
You can make pre-arrangements with a funeral home and/or crematory. The terms and payment plans may differ depending on your requirements and age. And whether you make payment in full at the time of purchasing your pre-need plan or opt to arrange a payment plan.
More cremation providers are now offering online arrangement services, so all this can be done from the comfort of your own home.
Pre-planning can provide you with funeral service coverage that will give you and your family peace of mind, reducing the stress associated with making last-minute funeral arrangements after a loved one has passed.
To discuss your options for pre-planning a simple cremation, contact your local provider at (407) 710-8865.
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 in Orlando.
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 home. The cover is worldwide. It can also serve as an extremely beneficial plan to have if you spend part of the year in Florida as a snowbird of retiree.
Read more about this affordable peace of mind death expense coverage here: Travel Protection Plan.
Arranging a green burial in Orlando
In a recent survey, The National Funeral Directors Association discovered that 72% of funeral homes reported an increase in interest in a green burial from families. At present, families typically have 2 options – traditional burial or cremation. However, a ‘natural’ green burial is less expensive than a traditional burial and more environmentally friendly than a cremation. Typically, a green funeral will cost between $3,000 and $5,000.
There are currently 6 cemeteries offering green burial options in Florida. Visit our detailed Guide to Green Burial in Florida to learn more about natural burial providers and locations.
Cemetery locations in Florida can be found in our Green Burials Directory.
Do I need a casket for a cremation service in Orlando?
As mentioned above, no requirement (or law) stipulates a casket is needed for a cremation service. A simple cremation is usually conducted using a simple reinforced cardboard container. However, renting a casket is possible if you wish to have a service before the cremation. This can also help you save on funeral costs.
I have questions or concerns about arranging a funeral in Orlando. Where can I find help?
You can contact your DFS Memorials affordable funeral service provider in Orlando with any questions you have.
Feel free to contact us at US Funerals Online, and we will try and help you if you have further questions about arranging a funeral or cremation service.
*Funeralocity Price Survey 2023
