A Dignified Alternative - Hatcher Cremations
5.0(303)
9957 Moorings Dr STE 503, Jacksonville, FL 32257
CremationDirect Cremation+3
Showing 58 funeral homes across 5 cities in Florida.
9957 Moorings Dr STE 503, Jacksonville, FL 32257
10936 NE 6th Ave, Miami, FL 33161
8410 Temple Terrace Highway ScrivensJohnson Mortuary, Tampa, FL 33637
231 E 6th Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32303
925 S Ivey Ln, Orlando, FL 32811
36 Halbe Ave, Orlando, FL 32805
Florida requires funeral homes to be licensed by the Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services. Embalming is not legally required in Florida, though refrigeration or embalming may be necessary if final disposition does not occur within 24 hours. Florida law also mandates that consumers receive a General Price List before discussing funeral arrangements.
Funeral costs in Florida vary widely depending on location, service type, and provider, with urban areas like Miami and Tampa generally seeing higher prices than rural regions. Cremation services tend to be more affordable than traditional burial throughout the state. Florida consumers are encouraged to compare prices among the state's funeral homes, as costs can differ significantly even within the same city.
Florida offers both traditional burial and cremation services, with cremation rates in the state exceeding the national average due to climate and cultural preferences. Burial options include ground burial in cemeteries, mausoleum entombment, and natural or green burial where permitted. Florida also allows for the scattering of cremated remains on private property with permission, or at sea at least three nautical miles from shore.
When selecting a funeral home in Florida, verify that the provider holds a current license through the Florida Department of Financial Services. Consider factors such as location, services offered, pricing transparency, and whether the funeral home is family-owned or part of a larger corporation. Reading online reviews and requesting the General Price List from multiple providers can help Florida families make informed comparisons.
Pre-planning funerals is permitted and commonly practiced in Florida, allowing individuals to document their wishes and potentially lock in current prices. Florida regulates prepaid funeral contracts through the Division of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services, which oversees trust-funded and insurance-funded arrangements. Consumers should ensure any prepaid contract is backed by a licensed Florida funeral establishment and understand the terms for refunds or transfers.
Veterans in Florida may be eligible for burial benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, including free burial in a national cemetery, a government-furnished headstone or marker, and a burial flag. Florida is home to nine national cemeteries, including Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, one of the busiest in the nation. Surviving family members should contact the VA or a Florida funeral home experienced with military arrangements to coordinate these honors.