The cremation trend is changing the way we think about arranging a funeral. Over 60% of Americans now prefer cremation. In Florida, the cremation rate is closer to 70%. If you need to arrange an affordable and dignified cremation, this guide can help.
You can arrange an affordable direct cremation service in Ocala for just $995.
How funeral care is changing and the economic reasons for choosing cremation
Deciding whether to bury or cremate is a personal choice. For some families, the decision is dictated by their funeral budget, and a cremation service will cost less than a traditional burial funeral.
On average, a cremation service will save you at least 40% of the cost of a burial. Sometimes, you can save as much as 60%. More families are choosing cremation because it offers greater flexibility.
The funeral service does not have to go ahead immediately. Instead, a cremation can be performed, and the immediate disposition of the body dealt with, and then a service held at a later date convenient to the family.
The economy has definitely impacted how we approach death care today. Many families simply cannot afford or do not want to spend unnecessarily on funeral costs. Cremation provides a simple, efficient, and economical means of disposition.
How much does a funeral cost in Ocala, FL?
This is not a simple question to answer, as funeral costs can vary significantly depending on the type of services and products selected and the funeral services provider used. According to Funeralocity, the average cost of a traditional funeral service in Ocala is $7,125.
However, your DFS Memorials provider in Ocala can offer a much more affordable funeral package.
How much does a cremation cost in Ocala?
Firstly, a cremation WILL save you on funeral costs. There is no requirement for a casket, cemetery plot, or burial vault, which alone can save thousands of dollars. Generally, embalming is not required when a cremation is performed, so you can save on many funeral expenses. A cremation will cost at least half, if not less, than the full cost of a burial funeral.
It is important to state that cremation prices in Ocala DO vary quite considerably between funeral homes and depending on what type of cremation service you opt for. Not all funeral homes have their own crematory but will use the services of a local crematory.
According to Funeralocity, the average cost of a cremation memorial service is $5,581. However, much lower-priced cremation services are available in Ocala.
How much is a direct cremation in Ocala, FL?
A basic cremation can be conducted in Ocala for as little as $995 complete. This is known as a “direct cremation” and is the most affordable cremation service available in Ocala. No services are performed; the deceased is collected, transported to the funeral facility, prepared for cremation, and the cremation is conducted. The cremated remains are returned to the family in a temporary plastic urn. The family can arrange a brief final goodbye viewing at the funeral home if desired.
Call DFS Memorials now at (352) 443-6866 to arrange a low-cost cremation for $995
What type of cremation services are available?
You can select from a range of cremation services and packages. These will start with a basic cremation without additional services, which is the cheapest cremation package. You can have a full-service funeral followed by the cremation, a cremation followed by a memorial service, or just a viewing followed by a cremation. Cremation offers versatility in your options and when and where any services can be held.
How to compare cremation costs in Ocala to find an affordable cremation service
As mentioned, the cost of a cremation can vary enormously – for the exact same service – but from different cremation service providers. Ensure that you compare like-for-like services. Some cremation service providers include crematory fees and cremation container costs in a direct cremation package; others do not always include these fees. Death certificate fees and cremation permits are often additional ‘cash advance’ items.
How do I know that the cremated remains I get back are my loved one’s remains?
This is probably the most common cremation question we receive. Strict laws govern the cremation of human remains, and identity checks must be made during the process.
The cremation retort must be completely cleared following a cremation, and only one can be performed at a time. The remains are cleared into a machine that filters out any metal parts (tooth fillings, hip replacements, etc) and then ground into the fine ‘dust’ that is returned as cremation ashes.
Understanding the legal requirements for cremation in Ocala, FL
As mentioned above, there are laws in place regarding the cremation of human remains. A cremation cannot be performed until the medical examiner’s office issues a cremation permit. The legal next of kin must sign a Cremation Authorization Form. There is a mandatory wait period of 48 after death in Florida before the cremation can proceed.
It is unnecessary to embalm a body for cremation, and refrigerated storage preserves the body until it is performed. The funeral home will generally store the body for up to 5 days in refrigerated storage at no extra charge.
An additional storage fee may be incurred if the cremation does not proceed within five days.
What can we do with the cremated remains?
Cremation offers greater flexibility in what you can do with the cremated remains once you have returned. You can, of course, inter them in a grave plot or niche. However, you can store them in an urn at home or scatter the cremated remains. There are also options, such as having cremation artifacts made from cremated remains, such as cremation diamonds, glass jewelry, bird baths, and paintings.
Preplanning an affordable cremation service in Ocala, FL
You can lock in a low-cost cremation price to preplan a simple cremation. This may depend upon your age when setting up a prepaid cremation plan. A cremation plan can be set up using an insurance policy where the funds are put into a trust.
You can also opt to preplan your cremation service without prepaying. This ensures that your surviving family can proceed with arrangements at the time of need without worrying about completing the paperwork or making difficult decisions. The money to pay for the cremation can be put aside in a POD account (Payable on Death), which your beneficiary can draw out upon death immediately without probate.
The deceased had no life insurance – is there any help with cremation costs?
Unfortunately, more people are passing without leaving the means to pay for their funerals. In this situation, you must explore what help may be available. Social Security pays out a $255 lump sum death benefit (if you qualify), and your funeral director can assist you with this.
The support for indigent burials differs so much by state and county. Some counties offer some financial assistance to low-income families, whereas only county indigent dispositions are conducted in others. To find out what may be available, you should contact Marion County Social Services Department at:
1801 Southeast 32nd Avenue, Ocala, Florida, 34470 Phone: (352) 629-0137
The deceased is at the Medical Examiner’s Office. What do I do?
Suppose the deceased was the victim of a crime, or there were unusual circumstances surrounding the death. In that case, the deceased’s body may be taken into the care of the coroner for an examination to determine the cause of death. You will need to employ the services of a funeral director as soon as possible to coordinate the release of your loved one from the ME’s office.
A deceased person can only be released into the care of a licensed funeral director. Many funeral homes are familiar with the process of liaising with the ME to have the body released as quickly as possible. You may also find that a simple, direct cremation can be arranged at a very low cost when the deceased is in the Coroner’s morgue, as all the paperwork can be expedited quickly. The process of transferring the deceased to the funeral facility is simplified.
Address of county coroner’s office: Marion County Medical Examiner & Coroner 809 Pine Street Leesburg FL 3474 (352) 326-5961
We hope this short guide has answered some of your immediate questions and helped you understand how you can arrange an affordable funeral or cremation service in Ocala, FL. If you need to research more information on funeral planning, please visit the Funeral Resources section on US Funerals Online or check out this Ultimate Guide to Cremation.
*Funeral prices obtained from Parting 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.
