Cremation Cost in Miami Florida
When it comes to cremation cost in Miami, there’s some good news. Cremation funeral fees are lower than the national average. In Florida, cremation costs fall between $1,000 to $3,500 on average. Pricing in Miami tends to be on the lower end of that range, rarely exceeding $3,500.
Florida tends to be more affordable than the rest of the U.S. due to its high cremation rates and large population. The sunshine state is the third most populous U.S. state behind California and Texas. Its population in 2022 was approximately 21-million people. Florida is also one of the nation’s fastest growing states, based on 2021/2022 data published by the U.S. Census.
Our team at Eirene Cremations has produced this article to help you understand standard cremation services and costs in Miami, Florida. We provide ranges on the pricing we cite and it is an average of what costs are in the marketplace.
Summary of Miami cremation costs
This chart below summarizes common service fees for cremations in Miami, based on an aggregation of several sources researched by our team. Also listed are the U.S. median funeral costs based on a study by the National Funeral Directors Association (source.) Beyond the chart, our team has broken down the costs further to give you insight into what product and service components each cost.
Detailed breakdown of Miami cremation costs
In this section, our research team examines what each component you’d see in a cremation package and what you can expect to pay on average for each item.
Cremation documentation in Miami
Cremation documentation in Miami is usually completed with the help of a licensed funeral home. However, it is legal for the deceased person's family to complete this step independently.
Cremation paperwork in Florida includes:
- Death certificate
- Vital Statistics Form
- Cremation authorization form
- Release form
When paperwork is handled by a funeral provider, it often costs between $100 to $400+ (or is included in the professional services and fees).
If completed by the family, the main fee would be ordering a death certificate. This costs $10 for a certified copy and $5 for additional copies. (Learn more).
Transportation of a body in Miami
After a death occurs, the deceased person's body must be transported from the place of death to the funeral facility to be prepared and cremated.
Transportation or "transfer" services cost between $200 and $400 typically, but can be higher if opting for additional services that increase mileage and vehicle usage.
Storage and preservation
Preservation techniques like embalming and refrigeration (storage) slow down physiological changes that occur after death.
It is required by Florida law that a body be embalmed or refrigerated within 24 hours after death. Embalming is optional but may be advised based on circumstances.
Body storage or "sheltering" fees range between $150 to $500. Embalming costs $500 to $1,000.
Cremation vs. aquamation
Cremation and aquamation have similar end products. Cremation produces coarse grey or brown remains by exposing organic matter to extreme heat. In contrast, aquamation uses the chemical process of alkaline hydrolysis to speed up breakdown of organic matter. This process creates fine, white or tan colored ashes.
Body disposition costs
Cremation is cheaper than aquamation, with direct cremation packages costing between $500 to $2,500. Direct aquamation packages range from $1,000 to $3,000 on average. Aquamation ranges are based on national estimates as the service is not currently offered in Miami.
Most funeral price lists have a separate cremation or “crematory” fee for covering the services performed at the crematorium. This typically costs between $200 and $400 on average.
Body preparation
Body preparation for cremation costs between $100 to $500+. Medical implants that may be dangerous to crematorium staff (e.g., pacemakers) must be removed before cremation. Other implants (e.g., fillings) remain with the body. Medical implants do not need to be removed before aquamation (unless legally required). However, clothing that is not protein-based (e.g., wool) must be removed.
Additional body preparations, such as embalming, makeup, dressing, etc., may be performed if selected.
Professional and staff fees
Funeral providers charge a fee to cover basic services and products (e.g., planning, logistics, event coordination, etc.) completed by the funeral home workers. Items discussed above (e.g., paperwork) may also be included. Prices range from $100 to over $2,000.
Urn purchase
A cremation urn is a container that holds ashes. Prices range anywhere from $10 to over $2,000 depending on the type, material, size, etc. Learn more.
Casket or cremation container
An additional fee for a cremation is included in many funeral packages. However, prices start as low as $50 and rarely exceed $500. Families that opt for traditional services (e.g., viewing or a wake) may choose to rent or purchase a casket. These are priced between $100 to $5,000.
Urn interment
Cremated remains can be interred in the ground or in a columbarium (which is a structure with niches for housing urns). Interment fees include the cost of a burial plot or niche, maintenance fees, grave markers, etc.
Pricing for burial plots and niches can vary drastically based on location, demand, size, etc. For example, single niches often start around $900, but can cost over $3,500 in Miami. Meanwhile, a single urn burial plot can cost between $500 to $3,000.
Cremation ceremonies and celebrations of life
Funeral celebrations, as are the fees associated with these events, are extremely customizable.
Generally, informal memorial activities (e.g., celebration of life) tend to be more affordable. Informal family gathering might cost a few dollars. Whereas a more elaborate event may cost $1,000 or more. Formal ceremonies (e.g., viewing, repast, etc.) typically cost over $2,000.
Sales tax in Miami
Expect to see a 6.5 per cent Florida sales tax on most products and services discussed in this article.
Related Cremation Articles:
Here are related articles that are relevant to residents of Florida.
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Articles that answer questions about cremation in Florida
Help with funeral expenses in Florida:
See our helpful guide on help for low income families with funeral costs in Florida.
