For families who chose cremation for final disposition, knowing how long a cremation takes is important for arranging a memorial service or making travel plans. But it’s important to understand that how long the cremation process takes and when you will receive your loved one’s aches are two separate matters.
In the state of Florida, families should expect the entire process to take several days from time of death until the cremated remains are returned. In this guide we’ll discuss what affects this timeline and what Florida laws govern the process.
How long does it take to cremate a body?
The actual cremation usually takes approximately an hour and a half to two hours. During this process, the body is carefully placed in a casket or an alternative container and then into a cremation furnace, also known as a retort, typically fueled by natural gas or propane.
Once the body is fully cremated it undergoes a cooling period which takes another one to two hours, before the remains can be processed further and milled to a finer substance.
So the typical cremation, cooling and processing all together take approximately 5 hours.
Physical factors that can extend the length of this process is body size and the container the body is cremated in. A larger body will require more time to fully cremate. Likewise, a solid wood casket will take longer to burn than an alternative cardboard container.
Why Florida takes longer than 3 hours: the 48-hour law
Under Florida Statute §872.03, 48 hours must pass from time of death, before a body may be cremated. This regulation provides a legal safeguard against tampering with criminal investigations but it also ensures that cremation providers do not rush the cremation process and uphold a high standard. It buys families previous time to settle all necessary paperwork and decide on which cremation service best suites their loved one’s wishes.
The four approvals that have to happen first
Within the mandatory 48-hour waiting period, there are four important steps that must be completed before cremation can take place.
Authorization from the legally authorized person. Florida law requires written authorization for cremation from the person legally authorized, often the next of kin, to make that decision. The person arranging the cremation also provides a signed declaration regarding the disposition of the cremated remains.
Death Certificate. The death certificate must be completed and certified by the appropriate medical professional. Depending on the circumstances, this may be the attending physician or a medical examiner.
The funeral home typically works with the medical provider to obtain the information necessary to complete the death certificate and can assist you with obtaining additional copies.
Medical examiner clearance. Florida law gives the medical examiner jurisdiction over certain situations such as accidents resulting in death, sudden death or otherwise suspicious circumstances specified by the statute.
If the medical examiner needs to investigate the death, the remains may not be cremated until the medical examiner has completed the necessary investigation and released the body for disposition.
The required disposition paperwork and permits. The funeral home is responsible for completing the death certificate and all required documentation before final disposition takes place.
These steps are designed to protect your loved one and your family by making sure the identity, cause and manner of death, legal authorization and final disposition are properly documented.
The Florida cremation timeline, day by day
While every situation is unique, there is a general timeline you can expect from time of death to the return of cremated ashes.
Day 1: Death and transfer into care
After your loved one passes, the 48-hour Florida waiting period begins and they will be transferred into professional care of the facility of your choosing.
The funeral home will begin gathering the information needed for the death certificate and cremation authorization. If the death falls under medical examiner jurisdiction, the medical examiner’s office may also become involved.
Day 2: Paperwork, authorization and waiting period
During the second day, the funeral home director will began preparing the death certificate and obtain a cremation permit. The legally authorized person will complete the necessary paperwork and authorize the cremation.
If there is no medical examiner hold and all paperwork is complete, the cremation can generally be scheduled for a time after the 48-hour waiting period has passed.
Your funeral provider may also use this time to confirm whether you want a private farewell, witness cremation, memorial service or other services before the cremation.
Days 3–7 Cremation, processing and return of the ashes
Once the legal waiting period has passed and the necessary approvals are complete, the cremation can take place.
The cremated remains are placed into a temporary container or the family’s selected urn.
Depending on the funeral home and circumstances, families may receive the ashes within a few days after cremation. Some providers offer expedited return options, while others have standard turnaround times of several days or longer.
For planning purposes, it is reasonable to ask your funeral provider for two separate dates:
- The estimated cremation date
- The estimated date the ashes will be ready for pickup or delivery
Those dates are often more useful than simply asking how long the cremation takes.
Five things that slow a Florida cremation down
1. Medical examiner involvement
A medical examiner investigation can significantly change the timeline. If the death was sudden, accidental, unattended, suspicious, or otherwise falls under medical examiner jurisdiction, the body may need to remain under the examiner’s control while the cause and manner of death are investigated.
Because cremation permanently changes the remains, the investigation must be completed before cremation can proceed.
2. Incomplete or delayed paperwork
Missing information, unsigned authorization forms or delays in completing the death certificate can prevent the funeral home from moving forward.
3. Crematory scheduling
The cremation chamber may not necessarily be available immediately when the 48-hour period ends. A crematory may be coordinating multiple families, transportation, staffing and required procedures.
4. Processing and return arrangements
The cremation is not finished the instant the chamber cycle ends.
The remains must cool, be processed, identified, and placed into an appropriate container. If you have selected a special urn, memorial jewelry, engraving, or another personalized option, that can add additional time before the ashes are physically returned.
Direct cremation vs. Cremation with a service
The type of cremation service you choose will also affect the overall timeline.
A Direct Cremation is the simplest form of cremation and will provide the quickest turn around time. This still allows families to hold a memorial service at a later date but will not affect the actual cremation timeline. Many families choose to have a memorial service after the ashes have been returned, which can make scheduling easier for relatives traveling from out of town.
A Cremation with Service can take a little longer depending on the service you chose. If you need to choose a memorial date quickly, tell your funeral provider the date you are considering. They can help you determine whether the cremation and return of the ashes can reasonably happen before then.
Viewing/Visitation Service with Cremation will include embalming, dressing, cosmetics, and a rental casket which will add a significant amount of time before a cremation can take place.
Regardless of which service you choose, a professional and reliable cremation provider will walk you through every decision you need to make soon and which can wait and which suits your situation and family.
Frequently Asked Questions
The actual cremation typically takes about one and a half to two hours. However, the full process takes longer because required paperwork, cooling, processing and scheduling.
In Florida, cremation cannot take place until at least 48 hours after death. If all required paperwork and approvals are complete, the cremation can be scheduled once that waiting period has passed.
The 48-hour waiting period allows time for identification, authorization, required documentation, and any necessary medical examiner review before an irreversible disposition takes place.
No. Florida law does not allow the 48-hour waiting period to be waived, even because of travel plans, family circumstances, or a desired memorial date.
The cremated remains are generally available within 7-14 days after death, depending on the funeral home and circumstances.
No. Embalming is not required simply because a family has chosen cremation. Refrigeration or another approved preservation method may be used when remains are held before final disposition.
There is no set timeframe for a medical examiner hold. Cremation must wait until the medical examiner has completed the necessary investigation and released the body for final disposition.
A funeral home can care for a loved one’s remains while the required arrangements and approvals are being completed. Florida requires remains held for more than 24 hours before final disposition to be refrigerated, embalmed, or otherwise appropriately preserved.
Some funeral homes and crematories offer families the opportunity to witness the beginning of the cremation or say a private farewell beforehand. The cremation itself generally takes about one and a half to two hours, although family members typically do not need to remain for the entire process.
Generally, yes, but not necessarily by much. The cremation itself takes only a few hours, but Florida’s 48-hour waiting period and required paperwork still apply. Cremation can also give families more flexibility about when to hold a memorial service.
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