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Planning a cremation? This simple guide covers the required documents for cremation in Florida — the death certificate, signed authorization form, and medical examiner approval — along with who can legally authorize it, what information to gather, and how long approval takes.
What happens after a passing? Learn the direct cremation timeline in the first 72 hours, including paperwork, approvals, and what to expect.
Learn about the different cremation service options available to families in Tampa Bay, including direct cremation, memorial services, and traditional funeral arrangements followed by cremation.
Understand what direct cremation service means, how the process works, what is typically included, and why many Tampa Bay families choose this simple and affordable cremation option.
Losing someone is hard enough without a confusing, expensive funeral process layered on top of it. For many Tampa Bay families, direct cremation is the simplest and most affordable way to care for a loved one — a dignified cremation handled soon after death, without a formal service, viewing, or the costs that come with them.
Our all-inclusive direct cremation starts at $975, and we will match or beat any competitor’s price. Below, we explain what direct cremation is, what’s included, what it costs in Florida, how long it takes, and the legal steps involved.
Direct cremation is a cremation that takes place shortly after death, without a preceding ceremony, public viewing, or visitation. There is no embalming and no need for a casket. Once the cremation is complete, your loved one’s ashes are returned to you, and your family is free to hold a memorial, celebration of life, or scattering whenever and wherever feels right — on your own timeline.
You may also see it called simple cremation or “cremation only, no service.” Because it removes the most expensive parts of a traditional funeral, it is consistently the lowest-cost option available to Florida families. Learn more in our overview of what a direct cremation service is.
A direct cremation should be a complete service, not a bare “starting price.” With us, an all-inclusive direct cremation includes:
Be cautious of low advertised prices that add fees later for transport, refrigeration, or paperwork.
Direct cremation is the most affordable choice — far less than a traditional funeral with burial. Here’s how the options generally compare locally:
Choosing direct cremation doesn’t mean giving up the chance to gather and grieve. You can still hold a meaningful memorial on a date that works for your family. Here’s how the most common options compare:
| Direct Cremation | Cremation With Memorial | Traditional Burial | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceremony beforehand | None | Yes — memorial / celebration of life | Yes — funeral, often with viewing |
| Viewing / visitation | None | Optional | Typically included |
| Embalming | Not required | Usually not required | Common for public viewing |
| Casket | Not required (simple container) | Not required (rental optional) | Required, plus plot and vault |
| Typical cost | Lowest — from $975 | Moderate | Highest |
| Best for | Simplicity and lowest cost, with the option to memorialize later | Families who want a gathering but prefer cremation | Families who prefer a traditional funeral and burial |
Want a gathering? Read whether you can still have a memorial service with direct cremation.
Florida law requires a minimum 48-hour waiting period after death before any cremation (Florida Statute 872.03). In practice it’s usually a little longer, because authorizations, the death certificate, and permits must be completed first. Once those are in place, ashes are typically returned to your family within about one to two weeks. See the direct cremation timeline and how long it takes to receive ashes in Florida.
Florida regulates cremation carefully to protect families. A direct cremation requires:
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Direct cremation is a simple cremation performed soon after death, without a funeral service, viewing, or embalming beforehand. The ashes are returned to the family, who can choose to hold a memorial later. It is the most affordable cremation option in Florida.
Our all-inclusive direct cremation starts at $975, and we will match or beat any competitor’s written price. A few government-set fees, such as extra certified death certificate copies, may apply. We confirm your exact total before any service begins.
There is no meaningful difference. “Simple cremation,” “direct cremation,” and “cremation only, no service” all describe a cremation without a preceding ceremony or viewing. Different providers simply use different names for the same service.
Yes. Direct cremation separates the cremation from the ceremony, but you can still hold a memorial service or celebration of life afterward — with or without the urn present — at any time and place you choose.
Florida requires a minimum 48-hour waiting period after death before cremation (Florida Statute 872.03). Once authorizations, the death certificate, and permits are complete, the ashes are usually returned to the family within about one to two weeks.
No. Embalming is not required for direct cremation. Florida law calls for un-embalmed remains to be refrigerated within 24 hours, which we handle as part of our care.
Florida law (Statute 497.607) sets the order of next of kin who may give written authorization: the spouse first, followed by an adult child, a parent, a sibling, a grandchild, and a grandparent.
No. A casket is not required. A simple, dignified cremation container is used instead, which is part of what keeps direct cremation affordable.
After the cremation is complete and the paperwork is finalized, the cremated remains are returned to your family, typically within one to two weeks. We can return them in a basic urn or a keepsake of your choosing.
Direct cremation is a simple cremation performed soon after death, without a funeral service, viewing, or embalming beforehand. The ashes are returned to the family, who can choose to hold a memorial later. It is the most affordable cremation option in Florida.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How much does direct cremation cost in Tampa Bay?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”
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There is no meaningful difference. \u201cSimple cremation,\u201d \u201cdirect cremation,\u201d and \u201ccremation only, no service\u201d all describe a cremation without a preceding ceremony or viewing. Different providers simply use different names for the same service.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Can you have a funeral or memorial service with direct cremation?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”
Yes. Direct cremation separates the cremation from the ceremony, but you can still hold a memorial service or celebration of life afterward \u2014 with or without the urn present \u2014 at any time and place you choose.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How long does direct cremation take in Florida?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”
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No. Embalming is not required for direct cremation. Florida law calls for un-embalmed remains to be refrigerated within 24 hours, which we handle as part of our care.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Who can authorize a direct cremation in Florida?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”
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