Funeral Planning & Cremation Information for Melbourne and Brevard County
Guides to funerals, cremation, burial, costs and planning for Melbourne and Brevard County families. Start with the funeral planning guide or what to do when someone dies.
Florida law says who can make decisions about a person’s funeral, burial or cremation. It calls this person the legally authorized person, and funeral homes follow the list closely, especially for cremation, which cannot be undone. The priority order Under Fla. Stat. 497.005, the legally authorized person is, in this order: The person who died, … Read more
The arrangement meeting (or arrangement conference) is where the family and funeral director plan the service and complete the paperwork. It usually takes one to two hours. Bringing the right things makes it go more smoothly. Documents and information Your loved one’s full legal name, date and place of birth, and Social Security number Parents’ … Read more
Yes. Choosing cremation does not mean giving up a service. Families can hold a funeral with the body present before cremation, or a memorial service afterward, with or without the urn present. A memorial after cremation has one big advantage: there is no rush. Timing Because cremated remains do not need to be buried or … Read more
The General Price List (GPL) is the single most useful document for understanding and comparing funeral costs. The Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule requires every funeral home to have one and give it to you. Your rights under the FTC Funeral Rule Phone prices. A funeral home must give you price information over the phone, … Read more
Most families order death certificates through the funeral home at the arrangement meeting. Order too few and you will be waiting for more while accounts stay frozen; order too many and you pay for copies you do not use. Here is how to decide. A practical rule of thumb Count the organizations that will need … Read more