Funeral Planning in Melbourne, FL

Planning a funeral usually happens in a short window, often while a family is grieving and tired. This guide lays out the order in which things tend to happen in Melbourne and Brevard County and links to detailed answers for each step.

How funeral planning usually unfolds

1. The death is pronounced and the first call is made. A hospital, hospice or facility usually handles this. At home, call hospice for an expected death or 911 for a sudden one. What to do first.
2. The family chooses a funeral home. The funeral home brings your loved one into its care. You can call before making any other decisions. How to choose a funeral home.
3. The arrangement conference. Usually within a day or two, the person with legal authority meets the funeral director to choose burial or cremation, the type of service, merchandise and timing, and to provide information for the death certificate. What to bring.
4. Paperwork and permits. The funeral director files the death certificate, gets the physician’s or medical examiner’s certification of cause of death, and obtains the burial-transit permit.
5. The service and final disposition. A visitation, funeral, memorial or graveside service, followed by burial, entombment or cremation.
6. Afterward. Certified death certificates arrive, and the family notifies Social Security, insurers, banks and others.

The main decisions

Florida rules that affect timing

• Refrigeration or embalming after 24 hours. A body held more than 24 hours after death, or pending final disposition, must be refrigerated at 40°F or below or embalmed (Fla. Stat. 497.386). Embalming itself is not always required. Embalming in Florida.
• Death certificate within 5 days. The funeral director who first takes custody files the death certificate within 5 days and before final disposition (Fla. Stat. 382.008).
• Cremation waits at least 48 hours after death (Fla. Stat. 872.03) and requires medical examiner review and written authorization. Cremation requirements.
• Medical examiner cases. Sudden, accidental or unattended deaths are investigated by the district medical examiner (Fla. Stat. 406.11), which can add days before release.

Beyond these legal steps, timing depends on family travel, clergy and cemetery schedules, and any medical examiner review. Ask the funeral director for a realistic timeline at the arrangement meeting.

All funeral planning guides

• What to do when someone dies in Florida
• Who can authorize funeral arrangements in Florida?
• How many death certificates should I order?
• What to bring to the funeral home
• Choosing a funeral home in Melbourne
• Types of funeral services
• Florida funeral laws: what is required
• Do I have to embalm?
• Are home funerals legal in Florida?
• Can you have a funeral after cremation?
• The General Price List explained
• Funeral planning checklist

Also see: Cremation · Burial · Funeral costs · Veterans · Planning ahead

Frequently asked questions

How quickly do funeral arrangements need to be made?

The funeral home should be called within hours so your loved one can be refrigerated or cared for, but the arrangement meeting is usually a day or two later, and the service itself can be days or weeks later. After cremation, a memorial service can be held at any time.

What does a funeral director do?

A funeral director transfers the deceased into the funeral home’s care, files the death certificate and permits, prepares the body if needed, coordinates the service with clergy, cemeteries and crematories, handles obituary and printed materials, and helps with veterans benefits and other paperwork. In Florida, funeral directors are licensed by the Department of Financial Services.

What happens at a viewing or visitation?

A viewing or visitation is a set time, often a few hours before the funeral or the evening before, when family and friends gather, usually with the casket present and open or closed. People sign a guest book, speak with the family and pay their respects. There is no set length of stay.

Can we hold the service somewhere other than the funeral home?

Yes. Services are commonly held in churches, at the graveside, in community halls, at a park or at home. Ask the funeral home what staff and transportation charges apply for services away from its chapel.

Sources

• Florida Statutes 497.386, 382.008, 872.03, 406.11
• Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services
• Federal Trade Commission, The FTC Funeral Rule

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws and fees change; confirm details with the agency or a licensed professional. Editorial standards