How to Get Help with Funeral Costs in Florida

Daniela Fortino
Daniela Fortino
March 25th 2024 - 19 minute read
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How to get help with funeral costs in Florida. Includes state, federal and local assistance and charities.

Funerals can be a significant financial burden for families in Florida. End-of-life arrangement costs can range anywhere from under $600 to over $10,000 depending on the type of funeral and services chosen. Fortunately, there are several financial programs available in the state that are designed to help make final arrangements more affordable for those that need assistance with final expenses for a loved one that has died.

State, federal, and local resources, plus charities for funeral cost assistance

Below, our team at Eirene Cremations has answered commonly asked questions about funeral financial assistance programs available in Florida. We have included state, federal, and local resources as well as financial assistance from charities that Floridians can tap into. We have also provided general tips on how to reduce funeral costs.

Here is an outline of what is  covered in this article. Click each item to scroll to its section

Understanding the cost of a funeral in Florida

The cost of a funeral can vary significantly between regions, among providers across the state of Florida. End-of-life arrangements are influenced considerably by the type of funeral (e.g., cremation, burial, etc.) and included services (e.g., viewing, visitation, embalming, etc.). However, fees will also vary based on population, location, demand, average income, local competition, etc.

According to a 2021 study by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the median cost of an adult funeral with viewing and ceremony followed by burial in the South Atlantic region of the U.S.A (defined as DE, FL, GA, MD,NC, SC, WV and VA)  is $7,800. For an adult cremation with viewing for an adult, the media cost is $7070.

By comparison, the U.S. national average for a burial with viewing and ceremony, according to the NFDA research study is $7,848 (source), while the median price for a cremation with a viewing is almost $1000 less at $6,971 (source). The lower cost for a cremation comes from reduced services and products. For example, cremation funerals often eliminate or reduce the need for a casket, burial plot, cemetery services, etc.

Simpler funeral options tend to be more affordable. For example, direct cremations and direct burials involve burying or cremating an individual shortly after death. This eliminates services such as embalming, visitation, viewing, etc. which in turn minimizes overall costs. Fees for direct cremation tend to cost under $2,000. Direct burials range from $1,200 to $3,500+ on average.

Green burials also can be less expensive. The term "green burial" is used as a blanket term to refer to funerary practices that aim to minimize environmental impact after death. These services forgo embalming and most traditional funeral services, which helps save money. It also incorporates biodegradable elements such as wicker caskets or cardboard urns, which are more affordable.

There are also cost differences between cremation and aquamation. Aquamation is a water-based form of disposition that uses alkaline hydrolysis to reduce remains to ashes. T is legal in Florida. (Learn about the legality of aquamation in the United States here). On average, package pricing for direct aquamation falls between $1,000 and $3,000+.

Required vs. optional funeral fees

Many funeral services and products are available to Americans, with costs depending on one's needs, wishes and choices. However, specific fees are required for all (or most) funerals. These include documentation, transportation, storage/preservation, body preparation, and professional and staff costs.

Optional services are tailored to the deceased person's and their family's wishes. This can include urn purchase, casket or urn interment, funeral celebrations, grave markers, flowers, etc.

It is important to note that embalming is optional in most cases and jurisdictions.

Embalming is the chemical preservation technique that slows down physiological changes after death. This process is not mandatory in any U.S. State. However, it may be recommended or required depending on certain circumstances (e.g., a viewing/visitation, international or state-wide transportation, etc.).

Breakdown of funeral services and fees

Funeral packages and services vary between providers. Common burial and cremation fees are listed below. The following charts include the median cost according to the NFDA's 2021 study and a price range based on an aggregation of several sources.

General fees:

Service/productMedian funeral cost for 2021 (according to the NFDA)Price range
Basic professional services and staff fees $2,300$200 to $2,500+ (depends on what is included)
DocumentationN/A (likely included in basic staff fees) $100 to $400+
Transportation Transporting remains to funeral home: $350

Hearse: $350

Service car/van: $150		$100 to $300+
Storage (refrigeration)N/A (likely included in basic staff fees)$200 to $500+
Embalming$775$100 to $300+
Body preparation (dressing, grooming, makeup, etc.)$275$100 to $300+
Ceremony/celebrationsUse of facilities/staff for viewing: $450

Use of facilities/staff for funeral ceremony: $515		$0 to $3,000+

Cremation-specific fees:

Service/productMedian funeral cost for 2021 (according to the NFDA)General price range
Cremation cost $368Starting around $300
Cremation casket/containerCasket: $1,310

Alternative Cremation Container: $150		$100 to $5,000+
Urn purchase$295$10 to $2000+
Internment in the ground or columbariumN/A$200 to $3,000+

Burial-specific fees:

Service/productMedian funeral cost for 2021 (according to the NFDA)General price range
CasketRental casket: $995

Metal Burial Casket: $2,500

Wood Burial Casket: $3,000

Green Burial Casket: $1,500		In the range of
$900 to $20,000+
Vault$1,572$900 to $7,000+
Burial plotN/A$200 to $3,000+
Burial in a mausoleumN/A$3,000 to $500,000+

 

Who is responsible for paying for funeral fees?

Typically, funeral arrangements are paid for by the deceased person's estate. If the individual's estate does not have enough money to cover funeral fees, the responsibility typically falls to the next of kin. However, next of kin are not required to cover final arrangements if they are unable or unwilling to do so.

What happens when we can't afford a funeral?

If the deceased person or their family cannot afford a funeral, some form of basic funeral arrangement is required.

As such, the state or city will attempt to find other family or friends to pay for basic arrangements. If no one comes forward, the state will cover final arrangements. Most jurisdictions opt to cremate unclaimed bodies due to the lower cost. Ashes are then typically buried or interred in a columbarium.

In many cases, the deceased person's family is willing but unable to cover funeral costs. Fortunately, there are many ways to minimize funeral fees, such as opting for low-cost services or receiving financial support from charities, organizations, and government assistance programs.

Funeral financial assistance in Florida

Funeral assistance varies between states and counties. We discuss below the options for Florida residents and look closer at options for funeral assistance for low income families.

Can the state of Florida help with funeral costs?

The state of Florida provides several options to cover a portion or the majority of funeral costs.

Families can turn to the Department of Health and Human Services for no-cost funeral arrangements. Under Florida law, the department must provide burial for financially disadvantaged individuals. However, this is handled at the county level and an application must be made at the nearest health department in the county where the deceased person was a resident.

Family or friends of the deceased person can also sign a form at the county coroner's office authorizing the state to bury or cremate the body on their behalf. However, they do not get a say in the services chosen for the deceased person. Care for a deceased person's body is also turned over to the county if no one comes forward to claim the body.

State and federal financial assistance programs are available to provide partial coverage to Florida residents as follows:


Federal assistance programs to help with cremation and burial

Florida’s state assistance programs to help with funeral costs:

Charities, programs and funds that help with funeral expenses:

Is there Medicaid funeral assistance available?

Medicaid Florida is a state and federal program that provides health coverage for low-income Florida residents.

Funeral and burial assistance are not covered directly by Florida Medicaid. However, eligible applicants or recipients can set aside up to $2,500 ($5,000.00 for the recipient and his/her spouse) for funeral and burial expenses. These funds should be separated or marked for funeral-related costs.

Medicaid recipients can also enter into pre-need contracts with funeral homes. These contracts allow individuals to plan and prepay for their funeral expenses while maintaining Medicaid eligibility, as long as the funds were assigned correctly as irrevocable (i.e., cannot be liquidated).

It is essential to note that certain assets can impact Medicaid eligibility. Life insurance, for example, can be used to cover funeral expenses. However, policies with cash value may be counted toward Medicaid asset limits, disqualifying an individual from receiving Medicaid. Fortunately, a designated burial plot and burial funds (up to a specified amount) are exempt from asset limits as long as the payments are irrevocable.

To be eligible for Florida Medicaid, applicants must be a resident of the state of Florida, a U.S. national, citizen, permanent resident, or legal alien. They must be low-income (with an annual household income under the limits found here), in need of health care/insurance assistance, and be one of the following:

  • Pregnant, or
  • Be responsible for a child 18 years of age or younger, or
  • Blind, or
  • Have a disability or a family member in your household with a disability or
  • Be 65 years of age or older.

Learn more on the Florida Medicaid website, visit your local Medicaid Office, or call (866) 762-2237.

Does Medicare cover funeral expenses?

Medicare is federal health insurance for people 65 or older, some younger people with disabilities, people with End-Stage Renal Disease. There is no provision in Medicare to help pay for funeral expenses. Medicare will only cover medical care costs for living beneficiaries. That said, a surviving spouse or child will receive a $255 lump-sum death benefit upon an a program participant’s death.

Can the Red Cross help a family pay for a funeral?

The Red Cross does not provide funeral or burial financial assistance. However, the Red Cross can help individuals navigate available funeral resources and assistance. Volunteers can also provide spiritual and emotional support, referrals, and education for those grieving the loss of a loved one.

Learn more in the Red Cross' Guidebook for Grieving Families. Call 833-429-0094 for immediate assistance.

Is there help for a veteran's funeral if a family can't afford a funeral?

Yes, the U.S. military provides death and burial benefits for veterans and survivor benefits for active-duty members, veterans, and retirees.

Survivor benefits are offered through the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, Veterans' Group Life Insurance, Survivor Benefit Plan, and Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan.

Benefits for spouses, dependents, and survivors through the Veterans' Group Life Insurance may include:

To be eligible for Veterans' Group Life Insurance, individuals must meet at least one of these requirements:

  • Had part-time Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) as a member of the National Guard or Reserve. And suffered an injury or disability (damage to one's body or mind that makes it hard to do everyday tasks, including meaningful work) while on duty—including direct traveling to and from duty—that disqualified you for standard premium insurance rates, or
  • Had SGLI while in the military and within one year and 120 days of being released from an active-duty period of 31 or more days or
  • Is within one year and 120 days of retiring or being released from the Ready Reserve or National Guard, or
  • Is within one year and 120 days of assignment to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) of a branch of service, or to the Inactive National Guard (ING). This includes members of the United States Public Health Service Inactive Reserve Corps (IRC), or
  • Is within one year and 120 days of being put on the Temporary Disability Retirement List (TDRL).

Eligibility for a Veterans' Burial allowance is outlined below.

  • The applicant and the veteran must meet all eligibility requirements.
  • The veteran must have not been dishonorably discharged and met another condition, including:
  • Receiving care from a V.A. facility or
  • Receiving a V.A. pension, or
  • Dying from a service-connected disability
  • The applicant must have:
  • Paid for the burial, transportation, or funeral costs
  • Been a close relative to the veteran or managed their estate

A veteran or their dependents must meet the V.A.'s eligibility requirements to qualify for burial in a national cemetery. Eligible candidates can apply online or mail their application to:

NCA Intake Center
P.O. Box 5237
Janesville, WI 53547

Learn more about veteran burial and survivor benefits here.

Is free cremation for low-income earners available?

The state of Florida will cover funeral services if no next of kin is determined or no family members are willing or able to pay for funeral services. Other no-cost or low-cost cremation options are offered through body donation programs and indigent cremation programs.

Indigent cremation programs provide free cremations for people living in a particular area.

An example of this service is the St. Lucie County Indigent Cremation Program. It is for persons who have no family or cannot afford private funeral arrangements. To qualify for the program, the following requirements must be met:

  • The death must have occurred in St. Lucie County.
  • The decedent cannot have assets over $750 at the time of death. If the decedent was legally married, marital assets must be used to determine eligibility. If an individual is under 18 years of age, the parent's assets are used to determine eligibility.
  • The decedent's next of kin shall mean a "legally authorized person" as defined by Florida Statue 497.005(43).

Learn more about the program on the St. Lucie County information page. Click here.

Below is a list of some of the counties/regions that offer indigent cremation programs:

What local funeral assistance is there available in Miami?

Miami residents can apply for the federal and state services and programs discussed already. Additional financial assistance services include:

What local funeral assistance is there available in Fort Lauderdale?

In addition to local charities, organizations, and funeral homes, Fort Lauderdale offers funeral assistance services such as:

Tips for minimizing funeral fees

Financial assistance programs are great resources for reducing funeral fees. However, many services only cover a small portion of the costs or are limited in terms of eligibility. Listed below are other ways to reduce cremation and burial expenses.

  • Opt for fewer or more affordable funeral services. For example, choosing cremation over burial can save thousands of dollars. Additionally, opting for a direct burial or cremation over traditional service can reduce the cost significantly. Choosing body donation can almost eliminate funeral costs while also helping to advance the scientific community.
  • Crowdfund/fundraise. Setting up an online fundraiser is an easy way to cover funeral costs. Crowdfunding platforms such as GoFundMe allow individuals to raise donations from family, friends, and strangers. Simply create a campaign and share it across social media platforms.
  • Know your rights. Educating oneself on the consumer's rights regarding final arrangements is essential. Ask for itemized price lists/receipts, do not be persuaded into paying for unnecessary costs (e.g., embalming), provide your own casket/urn if desired, etc. (Read up on Florida funeral rights and regulations here).
  • Shop around. There are seemingly endless funeral providers and services offered in Florida. In most cases, options are not limited to the city or county where the death occurred. Additionally, package pricing and benefits can vary significantly between providers, so it is good practice to discuss with various locations before deciding.
  • Set a budget. Knowing how much money is available before funeral planning is helpful to reduce financial strain. Discussing budgets with providers also helps ensure you remain within your means and are not blindsiding but unexpected costs.
  • Talk to loved ones. Discussing final arrangements with loved ones can be challenging, but it helps ensure your wishes are understood and honored.
  • Have a plan in place. Preplanning funeral arrangements is a reliable way to ensure funds are available to cover desired services. This relieves much of funerals' emotional and financial burden, allowing family and friends to focus on remembering and memorializing you instead.
  • Take advantage of government and social assistance. Funerals can be expensive, adding additional stress to grieving loved ones. Funeral financial programs provide a resource for relieving some of the financial burdens of final arrangements, ensuring all residents can be honored in the way they (and their loved ones) deserve. There are several local, state, and federal assistance programs across Florida. Contact local government, charities, funeral homes, etc., to inquire about additional programs not listed above.

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