Families ask this for different reasons: cost, religious tradition, or a wish for a simpler, natural burial. The answer depends mostly on the cemetery, not on state law.
What Florida law and federal rules say
We are not aware of any Florida statute that requires a casket for burial. What matters in practice is the cemetery’s own rules. The FTC Funeral Rule protects your right to choose: funeral homes must offer immediate burial as an option, and they cannot require you to buy a casket from them.
What cemeteries usually require
Most conventional cemeteries require a casket and an outer burial container (a vault or grave liner) so the ground does not settle. Some allow a simple wooden casket or container. Always ask the cemetery before you plan.
Shroud burial and green cemeteries
Green or natural burial grounds generally allow burial in a biodegradable shroud or simple casket, with no embalming and no vault. Some conventional cemeteries have green sections. Several faith traditions, including Jewish and Muslim burial customs, favor a simple shroud or plain wooden casket; congregations and faith-based cemeteries can advise. Green burial.
Lower-cost casket options
- A simple cloth-covered or unfinished wood casket from the funeral home’s casket price list
- A casket bought from a third-party seller; the funeral home cannot charge a fee for using it
- Cremation, which does not need a casket at all
Related: Burial guide · Buying your own casket
Sources
- 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