State of Florida Direct Cremation Regulation
Facilities in Florida that offer cremation services are subject to state licensure, as are certain staff members. Florida law also requires a waiting period after death before a cremation can take place. Direct cremation can be significantly less expensive than the cost of a traditional funeral and burial.
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Direct Cremation
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In a direct cremation, no embalming or display of the body takes place. The crematorium receives the body directly from the hospital or place of death. Many people choose direct cremation as a way to save money because embalming, burial and funeral services can be very expensive.
Licensing and Investigation
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Florida licenses both funeral home directors as well as "direct disposers" who oversee the direct cremation of bodies. Florida requires a crematorium, also called a "cinerator facility," to be licensed. Crematoriums must have a licensed funeral director or direct disposer on staff. If the crematorium is located in a licensed funeral home, the licensed staff member must be a funeral director. Florida law requires that the medical examiner investigate the death and "release jurisdiction" before a cremation can take place. The medical examiner does not necessarily need to see the body. She can ask to see a valid death certificate and then release her jurisdiction if satisfied that all is in order.
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Refrigeration or Embalming
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A body must either be refrigerated or embalmed before burial or cremation. In a direct cremation, there is no need for embalming, so the crematorium keeps the body refrigerated until the cremation takes place. In accordance with Florida law, a cremation cannot take place for at least 48 hours after death.
Caskets and Containers
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In Florida, a body must be in a container at the time of cremation. However, this container does not need to be a casket. An alternative container is sufficient for holding the body during the cremation, unless, of course, the family of the deceased, or the deceased himself, wishes to purchase a casket.
Scattering Ashes
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Florida laws don't regulate the scattering of ashes. Get permission from the property owner to scatter ashes on private property. If the ashes are to be scattered at sea, federal law requires that they are placed in the water at least three miles off the coast. It is important for family members to remember that different states have different laws regarding the disposal of ashes. If a family member takes the ashes to another state, she should investigate the laws there before making a decision about scattering.
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References
- Photo Credit cremation urn image by GiGiZ from Fotolia.com
