Florida Crematory Laws

Florida requires written authorization for a body to be cremated.

Florida regulates cremation of the deceased, with many safeguards at each step of the way to ensure a body is not cremated if it is not appropriate to do so.

Authorization

An authorized person must give written permission for a body to be cremated in Florida. The deceased may provide this permission before his death, or his next of kin may authorize cremation after the death. Other people with the authority to approve cremation include the deceased's guardian, attorney or health surrogate; medical examiners, public health officers or representatives of the deceased's nursing home.

Autopsy

Florida law requires autopsy before cremation. The medical examiner in charge of the autopsy may, however, rely on the information on the death certificate and forgo the autopsy in his own judgment.

Time Limits

No body may be cremated until 48 hours have passed after the death. After cremation is approved in writing, the body must be cremated within 48 hours. If the cremated remains are not collected within 120 days, the funeral establishment may dispose of them in accordance with Florida law.

References

• Florida State Legislature: Search the Florida Statutes: Cremation
• Affinity Direct Cremation: Florida Laws Pertaining to Cremation