Are you concerned about funeral costs? Do you want to know how to arrange a dignified funeral at an affordable cost?
We have put together this guide to help you understand how you can save thousands by arranging a funeral.
In fact, you can arrange a simple, basic cremation for an affordable price of just $995 in West Palm Beach!
According to Funeralocity (2024), the average cost of a traditional funeral in West Palm Beach is $7,770, and this does not include cemetery costs, so it is understandable that many families today are looking for more affordable alternatives.
Cremation is now becoming the preferred, more affordable option to conduct a dignified yet simple funeral service at a fraction of the full cost of a traditional funeral.
Why choose affordable cremation services in West Palm Beach?
More and more folks are choosing cremation. Cremation offers an inexpensive and flexible alternative to a burial service. Choosing cremation services can save you 40% to 60% (or sometimes more) on the cost of traditional burial services.
This is because a casket is not required, or embalming (unless required), and there is no immediate need for a cemetery plot or burial vault. Eliminating just these few products and services saves thousands of dollars alone.
A cremation can also offer a more flexible alternative that can accommodate families who have moved from their home state or when a funeral cannot be held straight away. For residents and retirees in Florida who are transplants, cremation can be a preferred option for those whose families are from out-of-state.
Cremation also offers a greater range of personalization options with a whole array of ash-scattering ceremony possibilities and various cremation artifact products.
What different cremation alternatives do I have?
There are 3 main types of cremation service options:
A cremation funeral – where the funeral service is held with the deceased present and a cremation is conducted after the service.
A cremation memorial – where the cremation is conducted before a memorial service is held. This can be with or without the cremated remains present and can often take the form of an ash scattering ceremony.
A direct cremation – this is where the deceased is cremated with no services, and the remains are given back to the family. There are some variances around these 3 main options, such as a private viewing before the cremation, an observed cremation, or a graveside interment of a cremation urn.
Visit our Complete Guide to Cremation – Every Step and Question, from the Funeral Home Collecting the Deceased, to the Family Receiving the Cremated Remains.
How much does a cremation cost in West Palm Beach?
The cost of a cremation can vary considerably. This will depend upon the type of cremation service you opt for and the cremation services provider you select. The average cost of a cremation memorial service in West Palm Beach is $6,170, according to Funeralocity.
The average cost of a direct cremation is $1,753 (Funeralocity 2022), although an affordable direct cremation service can be conducted for just $995 in West Palm Beach with DFS Memorials.
Call DFS Memorials NOW to arrange a simple, low-cost cremation for $995 complete (including death certificate)
Call at (561) 486-2466
Direct cremation services in West Palm Beach, FL
If you are working on a budget for your funeral expenses, you may wish to consider a direct cremation. A direct cremation is the cheapest cremation option. The funeral services provider does everything to take care of the immediate disposition of the deceased, but no viewing or services are held.
The deceased is cremated in a simple cremation container, and then the cremated remains are made available for the family to collect (or, if requested, delivered/mailed). A direct cremation can be arranged online or by phone without any need for you to visit a funeral home.
For your best price on a direct cremation, contact your DFS Memorials provider in West Palm Beach at (561) 486-2466, who offers a complete direct cremation package for just $995.
How do I choose a cremation services provider?
This can sometimes be a daunting task when there are several funeral homes to choose between. It may help to set yourself some clear criteria to help you select the provider that best suits your needs. Which funeral services provider you select can be influenced by what facilities and services they offer or what budget you have.
As we have highlighted, costs can vary quite significantly between funeral homes for the exact same service. For this reason, we would recommend you compare some costs before making a decision.
Comparing cremation costs in West Palm Beach, FL
All funeral homes have a general price list (GPL), and this should itemize all services and charges. Legally, a funeral home must provide you with a copy of their GPL if you request cremation price information, either in person or by phone.
According to funeral price research surveys in West Palm Beach, the average cost of a direct cremation is $1,753, although a direct cremation can be arranged for less than this with some cremation providers. DFS Memorials offer a direct cremation service for $995.
When comparing costs and services, check what IS included, especially with a budget direct cremation package. Is a copy of the death certificate included? Is the cremation permit an additional cash advance item or included? What about if an out-of-hours collection is required? Is there an additional daily refrigeration charge if the cremation does not proceed after 48 hours?
Death certificates cost $20.00 each. One copy IS included with the $995 direct cremation service package, and additional copies can be requested for the additional fee of $20.00 per copy.
What legally do I need to know about arranging a cremation in West Palm Beach?
There are a few legal requirements that you need to be aware of if you are considering cremation.
Firstly, the legal next-of-kin must all sign the ‘Cremation Authorization Form’ before a cremation can proceed.
In Florida, there is a mandatory 48-hour wait period after death before the cremation can proceed. Before cremation can proceed, the doctor must sign and fill out the cause of death, and the county health department must issue a permit to cremate.
The deceased will be refrigerated during this period and longer if required. However, you should be aware that many cremation packages will only include refrigeration for up to 5 days and will charge you a daily rate thereon.
Can I preplan a cremation?
Yes, you can prearrange a cremation. Advance planning can help to ensure you get the most appropriate services provider for your needs and can save the surviving family the financial and emotional burden at the time of death. There are various options open to you to plan ahead, so consult with your preferred services provider. A pre-arranged direct cremation plan can be preplanned at a low cost to ensure your family does not have the burden of worrying about funeral costs.
What can we do with the cremated remains?
As I mentioned earlier, there is versatility in what you can do with cremated remains.
You can inter a cremation urn in a cemetery plot or niche, keep an urn at home, scatter the remains, or create a cremation artifact such as a cremation diamond, glass paperweight, bird bath, or memorial reef ball, to name but a few!
The deceased had no life insurance – is there any help with cremation costs?
Sadly, there is little financial aid that supports those families who find themselves struggling with funeral costs. Most counties do have a budget for indigent funerals, but this is generally for those individuals who truly are indigent. Some counties do have limited funds to help low-income families with cremation costs, but this can vary county by county.
You would need to make inquiries with the St Lucie County Human Services Department at 437 North 7th Street, Ft. Pierce, FL 34950, to find out if any assistance is available to you. In these cases, often the most basic of funeral services will be supported, with limited control over what happens. A low-cost direct cremation from DFS Memorials can be arranged for $995 complete (no hidden extras).
What is “no-cost cremation”?
Some funeral homes now offer this option in West Palm Beach. This refers to whole body donation whereby after the donation is complete, the remains are cremated (free of charge) and then returned to the family or scattered. Generally, funeral homes can get a referral fee from the whole body donation organization, plus they sometimes charge a transportation fee.
How do I obtain a copy of a death certificate?
You can obtain copies of a death certificate from the Vital Records office at 5150 NW Milner Drive, Port St. Lucie, FL 34983. Phone: (772) 873-4932
What happens if the deceased is taken to the Coroner’s Office?
If there were circumstances surrounding the death that led to the deceased being taken to the County Coroner’s office, you will need to employ the services of a funeral director as soon as possible to liaise with the Coroner to have the body released into their care. Only a licensed funeral director can collect a body from the Coroner’s morgue.
St Lucie County Medical Examiner & Coroner 2500 South 35th Street Fort Pierce FL 34981772-464-7378
Hopefully, this guide to arranging an affordable cremation service in West Palm Beach has answered some of your questions and helped you understand how to save costs on a cremation. If you would like to read more extensively about cremation planning, please visit the Funeral Resources section on US Funerals Online.
*Prices obtained from online funeral price comparison survey 2024
I have been researching and writing about the death care industry for the past fifteen years. End-of-life services and experiences are topics most people avoid thinking about until they must face them. My work provides comprehensive and independent resources for families, explaining the workings of the funeral industry, the laws governing funeral practices, and the death care trends that impact consumers. With a BA in Cultural Studies, I bring a unique perspective to analyzing cultural death care rituals, complemented by a career background in Business Management. The death care industry is undergoing significant changes, which I find fascinating. The shift towards cremation services and the emergence of sustainable alternatives like aquamation and human composting are of particular interest. I am also intrigued by how technology is reshaping the funeral planning process and experience. I write for US Funerals Online and DFS Memorials LLC, and contribute to various forums and publications within the death care industry.
