A Guide to Paying Final Expenses After the Death of a Family Member
Paying expenses after death can place significant financial stress on grieving families. Without prepaid funeral services or payable-on-death funds, your personal representative might have to dip into their own savings to cover the costs—at least until probate clears.
Unfortunately, many family members are unprepared for the high costs associated with someone’s passing. By estimating these costs in advance—or even better, doing some early planning—you’re better prepared to meet the challenges ahead.
Let’s take a look at some common expenses, estimate after-death costs in Florida, and see how smart estate planning can reduce the final bill.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Estimating Total Expenses After Death in Florida
So how much money should families expect to spend after a loved one’s passing? According to Forbes, the average cost of dying in Florida is $23,366—about even with the national average. While your total costs will depend on the details of the estate, here are a few common expenses:
How much does a death certificate cost in Florida?
The personal representative will need a Florida Death Certificate to perform the estate’s duties. A certified copy costs $10.00, but additional copies for the same person cost $5.00. In many cases, more than one copy may be necessary.
What is the average funeral cost in Florida?
Funeral costs vary, most notably due to the choice of interment. In general, a funeral and burial cost around $10,000, while a funeral and cremation cost around $6,000.
The cost also depends on the number of services chosen by the family. To help you plan, here are some recent averages provided by the National Funeral Directors Association:
- Mandatory basic service fee: $2,495
- Transferring remains to funeral home: $395
- Embalming/preparations of the body (for viewing): $1140
- Facility use and staff for the viewing: $475
- Facility use and staff for the funeral ceremony: $550
- Service transportation for the family: $175
- Printing for memorial services: $195
- Vault (optional): $1,695
What are the average burial costs in Florida?
In addition to the above funeral costs, relatives can expect the following expenses for traditional burial:
- Hearse: $375
- Metal casket: $2,500
Note: Funeral director costs do not include burial plots, headstones, or grave markers, which can significantly increase the price of burial.
What’s the average cost of cremation in Florida?
In addition to the above funeral costs, relatives requesting cremation also have to pay for some of the following:
- Cremation fee: $400
- Casket rental (for direct cremation after viewing): $1,100
- Cremation casket: $700
- Urn: $295
- Alternative cremation container: $160
What if my personal representative needs help closing the estate?
Understandably, personal representatives need help with the many tasks involved in closing an estate. Professionals may be needed to value businesses, list real estate, track down documents, or help balance accounts. Average costs for typical professional services include:
- Realtors: $4,000
- Financial advisors: $2,456
- Lawyer fees (without probate): $3,000
How much does a probate attorney cost in Florida?
Most probate attorney fees in Florida are based on the total value of the estate, but some probate lawyers charge flat fees. The following probate attorney fee schedule is considered reasonable according to state law:
- $1500 for estates with a value of $40,000 or less.
- All costs above plus an additional $750 for estates valued at more than $40,000 but less than $70,000.
- All costs above plus an additional $750 for estates valued at more than $70,000 but less than $100,000.
- All costs above plus 3% on the next $900,000 for estates valued over $100,000.
- 2.5% for estates above $1 million and not exceeding $3 million.
- 2% for estates above $3 million and not exceeding $5 million.
- 1.5% for estates above $5 million and not exceeding $10 million.
- 1% for estates above $10 million.
Florida recently updated its probate fee law. If an attorney wants to charge the guideline fees listed above, the attorney must first get written consent. If consent is not given, then the guideline fees cannot be charged.
What other costs should I plan for?
One of the benefits of early estate planning is getting ahead of potential expenses so you can anticipate and budget accordingly. Some additional costs of a person’s passing include:
- Memorial service: If you want a celebration of life after the funeral, you must plan for hall rental, catering, music and video equipment, and related expenses.
- Outstanding bills. Personal representatives are expected to pay your outstanding bills on time. However, your mortgage or utility bills may come due before the estate’s funds are released. If a family member pays the cost out of pocket, the representative should issue a receipt and reimburse them once estate funds are available.
- Travel costs: Early planning can provide extra funds for airfare, train tickets, or hotel rooms so faraway family and friends can attend the funeral.
- Filing fees: Personal representatives may have to cover immediate costs, such as court filing fees, postage, and publishing legal notices in the news.
- Property management: Any real estate held in your name only may need repairs or maintenance before it’s liquidated or transferred to beneficiaries.
Estate Planning Can Lower The High Cost Of Dying
If the costs of your passing seem shocking now, imagine how they could impact your nearest and dearest in the future. At Yolofsky Law, we create comprehensive estate plans that give you full control over the details, from protecting your family home to planning your memorial service.
Best of all, we test-drive your estate plan to make sure your choices will work as intended, giving you peace of mind and sparing your family from tough decisions. Email us at hello@yolofskylaw.com today or schedule a 15-minute call to get the ball rolling.