This funeral and cremation planning guide will answer some of the key questions you may have if faced with the task of making funeral arrangements. 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 (904) 395-7939
We have put together the following FAQs about cremation costs and funeral prices in the Jacksonville area, as well as state funeral laws and where you can go to find help.
First Step: What to do when a death occurs
The first thing that you will need to do when a death occurs is to select a funeral home to handle funeral arrangements and transfer the deceased into their care. The majority of deaths occur in a medical facility, where they can be held for a short period in the hospital morgue if necessary.
It is important not to feel like you have to rush this decision. Give yourself time to select the right funeral service provider for your needs.
How to choose a funeral home or cremation service provider in Jacksonville?
If your loved one had no funeral plan, and you have no prior experience with a funeral home, this can be a difficult task. There are around 48 funeral service providers in Jacksonville. If you want to have a funeral ceremony, the actual 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.
Direct cremation service $795 Call (904) 395-7939
How to Arrange a ‘No Cost’ or Free Cremation by Opting for a Body Donation to Science
Donating your body to science in Jacksonville can offer you the chance to have a ‘no cost’ cremation. This means that after your anatomical donation is complete, the medical establishment will perform a cremation without any charge and then return the cremated remains to your family.
This ‘no cost’ cremation includes one copy of a death certificate, and a funeral services provider coordinates all paperwork and transportation services.
To discuss arranging an anatomical whole-body donation with a free cremation in Jacksonville, call Craig at (833) 402-9077.
Do consider that NOT all whole-body donations are accepted at the time of death. This can depend on the needs of local medical schools, transportation services, and the health of the deceased at death.
It can help to have an alternative plan for a simple, affordable cremation if a donation cannot proceed. The DFS Memorials provider in Jacksonville offers a low-cost direct cremation for $795.
What are the funeral service or cremation service options in Jacksonville?
With the range of funeral service locations serving the Jacksonville 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.
What is the average cost of a funeral service in Jacksonville?
According to a recent survey, the average funeral cost for an adult funeral in Jacksonville is $7,775. 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 in Jacksonville. Therefore, a typical traditional funeral and burial cost is likely at least $9,000.
A more recent funeral price survey conducted by Funeralocity puts the average cost of a traditional full-service burial in Jacksonville at $5,395 (Not including cemetery costs). As you can see, funeral costs can vary greatly. However, a funeral is likely to cost somewhere between $4,000 to $10,000, depending on the funeral service provider and the chosen items.
How much does a cremation cost in the Jacksonville area?
It is often more difficult to quote cremation prices 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 definitely a cheaper alternative to a tradition funeral, but a cremation with a memorial service will still cost around upwards of $3,000.
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 $795 in Jacksonville. This is the most economical funeral service arrangement available to families. The cost of a simple cremation can, however, still vary between different funeral service providers in Jacksonville.
Therefore, the average cremation cost is nearer to $2,200. 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 also still necessary to check what is included in a low-cost direct cremation package to ensure there are no hidden fees to what may appear ‘too cheap.’ 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.
You can use our Guide to Cremation Costs in Florida for more detailed information.
What legal issues do I need to understand about arranging a funeral?
In Florida, a cremation can only be performed once a ‘Cremation Authorization Form’ has been signed by the legal next of kin and the coroner has issued the cremation permit. In Florida, there is a mandatory waiting period of 48 hours after death before a cremation can proceed. That being said, it usually takes about 3 days to make all the necessary arrangements and complete the paperwork, but an expedited service can be arranged if required.
Generally, the funeral director will obtain the death certificate for you and will ask how many copies you require. The first certified copy costs $5.00, and each additional copy costs $4.00.
In Florida, anyone may order a Florida Death Certificate “Without a cause of death,” but a Death Certificate “With Cause of Death” is confidential by Florida Law and may only be issued to the deceased family or those acting on behalf of the family or the deceased’s estate. You will need to provide your ID to request a copy.
Who is responsible for paying for a funeral?
If the deceased did not pre-arrange and pre-pay for a funeral plan, 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 at (904) 395-7939.
What happens if the deceased is at the County Medical Examiners?
If the death occurred outside of a medical facility, was an accident, or was 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 Duval County Medical Examiner at (904) 255-4000. Alternatively, you can find them at:
Duval County Medical Examiner
2100 Jefferson St, Jacksonville, FL 32206
Duval County, Florida
How do I prepare if my loved one is in hospice care?
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 make provisional arrangements. This means that when the time comes, the hospice can immediately contact the 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 can make it easier when the time comes, alleviating 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 or cremation expenses is there for low-income or uninsured families in Jacksonville?
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 any indigent deaths (as is their responsibility), but this is done by means of a pauper burial or cremation. Social Security offers a $255 death benefit payment (if qualifying), and the funeral director will assist you with claiming this.
For further guidance, read our article ‘What do I do if I Can’t Afford a Funeral’.
It is possible to opt for donating a body to science or making an anatomical gift as a means to arrange a free cremation. This can not only help families who are struggling with funeral costs but can be an altruistic option for those who want their death to be an act of “giving back.” Cadavers are an important part of how Medical and research students develop their skills to improve our healthcare industry.
Once the body donation is complete, the deceased is cremated at no charge, and the cremated remains are returned to the family.
What can I legally do with the cremated remains? Laws for scattering ashes in Jacksonville
As cremation is so popular in Florida, this is a common question. Florida law allows for cremation ash scattering on any land but not in any Florida freshwater. You must check with the landowner as spreading ashes on private property could be construed as establishing a cemetery. If in doubt, check with the Department of Environmental Protection.
Ash scattering at sea is more common in Florida. Obviously, the state has a beautiful coastline and an easy means by which to arrange a sea burial. The United States Coast Guard issues permits for burials at sea within a three-mile limit. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has governance over burials at sea or sea ash scatterings. Florida is in Region 4 of the EPA and can be contacted at Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center, 61 Forsyth Street, SW, Atlanta, GA 30303.
The Neptune Reef and Eternal Reefs are also situated just off the coast of Florida and provide a unique way to immortalize a loved one.
Cremated remains are sterile, organic matter and pose no threat to the environment. However, it is wise to ensure you use safe scattering techniques.
You can read more about this in our Ash Scattering section.
I want to pre-plan a simple cremation. What is the best way to set up a cremation plan in Jacksonville?
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 and more cremation providers are 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.
If you do regularly travel for work, pleasure, sport, visiting family, or snow-birding, you may wish to consider our great value Travel Protection Plan. This plan costs just $450 for an individual for lifetime protection against the costly expense of returning a body home if a death occurs 75 miles (or further) from your residence. It also provides global coverage. Domestic funeral shipping can cost from $3,000, and International repatriation can start at around $6,900.
Read more about this affordable peace of mind death expense coverage here: Travel Protection Plan, or click on the link above to enroll today.
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. This plan can be ideal for snowbirds, RVers, or retirees who spend time between Florida and another state.
Arranging a green burial in Jacksonville
In a recent survey, The National Funeral Directors Association discovered that 72% of funeral homes reported increased interest in a green burial from families. At present, families typically have 2 options – traditional burial or cremation. However, a ‘natural’ green burial is certainly less expensive than a traditional burial and more environmentally friendly than a cremation.
There are a number of funeral homes offering green burial options around Jacksonville. Typically, a green funeral will cost between $3,000 and $5,000.
Visit our Guide to Green Burial in Florida for more information.
Or call (833) 402-9077 to talk with a Green Burial Funeral Director for guidance.
How do I obtain copies of a death certificate?
As mentioned above, the funeral director will generally file for the death certificate for you and will ask how many copies you require. The fee for a death certificate in Florida is $5 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy.
You can request additional copies from Vital Records at a later date if you are a relative of the deceased or have a financial concern in their estate.
What about no-cost cremation?
A “no-cost” cremation generally refers to a whole body donation program where the deceased’s remains are cremated free of charge after the donation. If you wish to donate your body to science in Florida, you have the option of donating your body to one of the Universities or Medical Schools that accept donations.
For more information, call Craig now at (833) 402-9077 for help arranging a free cremation with body donation.
Is it possible to have a private viewing before a simple cremation?
Yes, you can arrange for a private ‘goodbye’ viewing before a direct cremation. However, this often depends upon the availability of facilities, staff, and scheduling. Sometimes, it can be arranged at no additional cost, but this can often depend on whether there is a need for additional staff, in which case there may be a fee. It is best to consult your chosen funeral service provider for more details regarding private viewing.
Do I need a casket for a cremation service in Jacksonville?
No, there is no requirement (or law) that stipulates a casket is needed for a cremation service. A simple cremation is usually conducted using a simple reinforced cardboard container. It is, however, possible to rent a casket 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 or cremation in Jacksonville. Where can I find help?
You can contact our DFS Memorials affordable funeral service provider in Jacksonville with any questions you have. If you should have reason to be dissatisfied with the services of a licensed funeral home, you can put your complaint in writing to:
The Division of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services
200 E. Gaines Street
Tallahassee
Florida 32399
If you need further information about the funeral industry in Florida, contact:
Florida Cemetery, Cremation, and Funeral Association
325 John Knox Road
Ste. L103
Tallahassee
Florida 32303
Further reading about Cremation Services: Visit our Ultimate Guide to Cremation.
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.
