Preplanning means deciding, and writing down, what you want to happen after your death: burial or cremation, the kind of service, where you will rest and how it will be paid for. It spares your family from guessing, and it is one of the most practical things you can do for them.
Why people preplan
- Your wishes are clear. Families are less likely to disagree when the decisions are written down.
- Fewer decisions under pressure. An arrangement meeting after a death involves dozens of choices. Many can be settled calmly in advance.
- Records are gathered in one place: vital information for the death certificate, military papers, insurance policies and cemetery deeds.
- Payment can be arranged ahead of time if you choose to, rather than falling on your family.
Decisions you can document now
Burial or cremation
And, for cremation, what should happen to the cremated remains. Florida lets you authorize your own cremation in writing. Burial vs cremation
Service preferences
Visitation, funeral, memorial, graveside or none; the location; clergy or celebrant; music, readings and pallbearers.
Cemetery
An existing family plot, a new plot or niche, or Cape Canaveral National Cemetery if you are a veteran.
Who decides
Who you want to carry out your wishes, and what should happen if they cannot.
Records to gather
- Full legal name, date and place of birth, Social Security number, parents’ names including mother’s maiden name
- Marital status, education and occupation (all asked on the Florida death certificate)
- Military discharge papers (DD-214) for veterans. If you are eligible, consider a VA pre-need eligibility determination for burial in a national cemetery. Veterans benefits
- Cemetery deeds or interment rights
- Life insurance policies and any existing preneed contract
- Your will, and who holds the original
Our free funeral planning checklist covers all of this in a printable format.
Paying ahead: questions to ask a licensed professional
In Florida, preneed funeral and cemetery sales are regulated by the Department of Financial Services’ Division of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services. Payment options commonly include a preneed contract, an insurance policy set up for funeral expenses, or simply setting money aside. Before signing anything, ask:
- Is the seller licensed for preneed sales in Florida? You can check with the Division’s license search.
- Exactly which goods and services are covered, and which prices are guaranteed?
- What is not covered, such as cash advance items, cemetery charges or death certificates?
- How are my payments protected (trust or insurance), and what happens if the funeral home changes ownership?
- Can I cancel, and would I receive a refund? What happens if I move or die away from Melbourne?
- Can the plan be transferred to a different funeral home?
According to the Division’s consumer FAQ, Florida preneed contracts must be secured by a trust account or an individual insurance policy, and contracts for burial spaces, merchandise and services written since October 1, 1993 are 100% refundable within the first 30 days if you request a refund in writing. Refund rights after 30 days are more limited, so read the contract carefully.
We do not give financial or legal advice. A licensed funeral director can explain the specific plans they offer, and the Division of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services can answer questions about consumer protections.
Preplanning without prepaying
You do not have to pay anything to preplan. Writing your wishes down, sharing them with family and filing them with a funeral home of your choice costs nothing and still makes things much easier later.
Speak With Buggs Funeral Home About Preplanning
A licensed funeral director can explain service options, merchandise choices and payment arrangements, and record your wishes.
Buggs Funeral Home & Crematory · 2701 S Harbor City Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32901 · Featured funeral home partner
Frequently asked questions
Can I authorize my own cremation in Florida?
Yes. Florida’s definition of the “legally authorized person” puts the decedent first when they left written directions and authorization before death (Fla. Stat. 497.005). Ask the funeral home to include a signed cremation authorization in your preplanning file.
Where should I keep my funeral plans?
Give a copy to the person who will make arrangements and to the funeral home you have chosen. Keep the original with other important papers, and tell your family where it is. A will is often not read until after the funeral, so do not rely on it alone for funeral wishes.
Is preplanning only for older people?
No. Anyone can record their wishes. It is especially useful for people with a serious illness, those without close family nearby, and veterans who want to use national cemetery benefits.
Sources
- Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services and its consumer FAQ
- Florida Statutes 497.005
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Pre-need eligibility determination
- Federal Trade Commission, Planning your own funeral
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws and fees change; confirm details with the agency or a licensed professional. Editorial standards