Cremation usually costs less than burial, but the total can vary widely depending on the services you add. This page breaks down what you are paying for so you can compare providers fairly. We do not publish local prices; ask each provider for its General Price List.
Three price levels
| Arrangement | What drives the cost |
|---|---|
| Direct cremation | A single package price listed on the General Price List. Usually the least expensive option. |
| Cremation with a memorial service | Direct cremation plus facility and staff for a service, printed materials, and often an urn. |
| Funeral with viewing, then cremation | Most of the cost of a traditional funeral (preparation, viewing, ceremony, casket or rental casket) plus the cremation. The NFDA’s 2023 national median for this arrangement was ,280. |
Common line items
- Basic services fee of the funeral director and staff (usually included in a direct cremation package price)
- Transfer of your loved one to the funeral home
- Cremation fee, sometimes separate if the crematory is operated by another company
- Cremation container: an alternative container or casket
- Urn, which can be bought from the funeral home or elsewhere
- Service charges if you hold a viewing or memorial
Cash advance and third-party costs
These are charges the funeral home pays to others on your behalf and passes on. For cremation in Florida they commonly include certified death certificates ( for the first copy and for each additional copy from the Florida Department of Health, before any rush or online fees) and any medical examiner cremation approval fee. Obituary notices, clergy honoraria and flowers are other examples. Ask whether the funeral home adds a service charge to cash advance items.
How to compare cremation providers
- Ask each provider for its General Price List, by phone or in person.
- Compare the direct cremation price and exactly what it includes (transfer distance, container, return of remains).
- Ask whether cremation is performed on site or by a third-party crematory.
- Ask for a written itemized statement before you sign.
How to choose a cremation provider · The General Price List explained · Estimate costs with the planner
Ways to reduce cremation costs
- Choose direct cremation and hold a memorial yourself at a church, home or park.
- Buy an urn elsewhere, or use the temporary container if the remains will be scattered.
- Order only the death certificates you need; more can be ordered later.
- For veterans, use national cemetery inurnment at no cost for the niche or grave.
Questions about cremation in Melbourne?
Buggs Funeral Home operates its own crematory on site and can explain cremation options and prices from its General Price List.
Buggs Funeral Home & Crematory · 2701 S Harbor City Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32901 · Featured funeral home partner
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission, The FTC Funeral Rule
- National Funeral Directors Association 2023 General Price List Study, via NFDA release
- Florida Department of Health, Death certificates
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws and fees change; confirm details with the agency or a licensed professional. Editorial standards