Before a cremation can take place in Florida, the funeral home needs the right person’s written authorization, information for the death certificate, and approval from the medical examiner. Here is what that means for the family.
1. The cremation authorization
The legally authorized person signs a cremation authorization form. This is usually the surviving spouse, or a majority of the adult children if there is no spouse. See who can make funeral arrangements in Florida. If the person who died made written arrangements, such as a pre-need contract, those directions come first.
The form typically asks you to confirm:
- the identity of the person who died,
- that you have the right to authorize the cremation,
- whether there is a pacemaker or other medical device that must be removed (some devices can be dangerous during cremation),
- what should happen to the cremated remains and who will receive them,
- whether you want to be present or witness the start of the cremation, if the crematory allows it.
If several people share the right to decide and they disagree, the crematory generally will not proceed until the disagreement is resolved.
2. Information for the death certificate
The funeral home files the death certificate and needs personal details such as full name, Social Security number, date and place of birth, parents’ names and marital status. See the full list in documents a funeral home may need.
3. Medical examiner approval and the waiting period
- Florida requires the district medical examiner to review and approve every cremation. The funeral home requests this; there may be a fee.
- Florida generally requires at least 48 hours to pass after death before cremation.
4. Identification
Your loved one’s identity is confirmed before cremation. Some funeral homes ask a family member to confirm identity in person or from a photograph. Identification tags stay with the person through the process.
Documents that help
- Pre-need contract or written wishes
- Military discharge papers (DD214) for veterans
- Life insurance policy, if assigning benefits to the funeral home
- A photo ID for the person signing the authorization
After the cremation
Decide who will receive the cremated remains and where they will be kept, placed or scattered. See scattering ashes in Florida and urn sizes.
This article is general information about Florida funeral practices, not legal advice. Florida law regulates the handling, transportation, cremation and disposition of human remains, and requirements can depend on the circumstances. For advice about a specific situation, speak with a licensed Florida funeral director or an attorney. Editorial policy.