Cremations South Miami Florida

What We Do

Cremations in South Miami

Death of a friend or family member is life’s most difficult experience. Grief tied to the loss of a loved one is uniquely painful, unmatched by any other loss. There is particular way to honor someone’s life after they are passed, as each individual is unique. At Ferdinand Funeral Homes & Crematory, we have spent years supporting families and loved one through the intimate process of choosing post-death options for the deceased with the highest level of grace and tact.

Here in South Miami—and across Florida—more and more families are opting out of traditional burials and opting in to cremation services. In fact, a recent poll shows Americans that roughly 40-48% of all deaths now result in cremation. And, in the next 15-20 years, the percentage is believed to approach 60%, according to the Cremation Association of North America (CANA).

Over the years, the staff here at Ferdinand have compiled a list of frequently asked questions surrounding this topic to help you decide if this form of physical remains disposition is the right choice for you or someone you love.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cremation itself is a highly regulated and straightforward process:

Transfer of the body from the place of death to our care center
Positive identification
The actual process of cremation in our on-site crematory: the burning and vaporization of the body into ashes
Delivery of cremains in a selected container
Filing all necessary paperwork: Certificate of Death, Social Security, Veterans Benefits (whenever applicable), Cremation Permit
Assistance in creating and submitting an obituary
Arrangement of ceremonies—funeral or memorial services, visitation, etc.—which can be before or after cremation is completed

The increase in the cremation option is being driven in part by a few different factors, namely: cremation’s affordability, the fact that fewer extended families are rooted in the same hometowns, environmental factors, and the flexibility in service options.

Particularly in comparison to burial costs. The casketed burial, following traditional options involving a viewing which requires storage of the body, embalmment, makeup, etc., can be costly. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the national average cost of a funeral is at or more than $7,000—not including the cemetery plot and headstone or grave marker, while cremation services run thousands of dollars less.

Yes! Cremation only refers to the final disposition of the body; you can plan any ceremony in conjunction with this.

Yes, for a small fee. Our state-of-the-art cremation facility is designed to allow family and loved ones to be present, if desired, when the body is placed in the chamber. For some, witnessing this final process is an enormous step in the grieving process; our staff is pleased to offer this option.

As stated, that is completely up to you—unless otherwise noted in a pre-plan or will. Typically, services are held at a funeral home like Ferdinand, or place of worship, but can also be at an off-site location, even at home. There are no limits placed on memorial or funeral services simply because the deceased or his/her family has opted for cremation, as it is not a substitute for a funeral; it is an alternative to ground burial or entombment.

A traditional funeral generally involves the use of formaldehyde-based embalming fluid and, if a ground burial is chosen, the need for a plot of land. For some families (and individuals pre-planning their personal post-death instructions), this is a significant encouragement to consider cremation.

Never. Most modern cremation chambers are too small to allow space for more than one adult/ Further, cremating two individuals at the same time, in the same chamber, is illegal. Laws surrounding this process are in place to protect the integrity of the remains and ensure you receive back into your possession the true ashes of your loved one.

Do a bit of research. Check the qualifications of the staff, the length of time in business, and the specific processes they use there to ensure proper running of the crematorium and identification of the deceased. Call, ask questions. And of course, trust your gut! In-house cremation services are a plus, as this means your loved one’s body is never transported elsewhere for handling.

FERDINAND FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY

Frequently Asked Questions