Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Department of Financial Services

Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services

For assistance, call 850-413-3039 or visit https://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/funeralcemetery/

What is the purpose of the division?

The Department of Financial Services' Division of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services protects death care industry consumers during times of potential emotional distress. It also oversees licensed professionals and entities in the death care industry.

What services are provided by the division?

The division conducts annual inspections of licensed establishments, facilities, and cemetery grounds, and establishes qualifications for professions and occupations in the death care industry. These professions and occupations include, but are not limited to, funeral directing, embalming, cremation, preneed sales, cemeteries, and monument sales. The division also ensures death care professionals maintain their qualifications through continuing education courses and licensure renewal, and ensures effective discipline for those licensees who have violated the law.

What types of licenses are offered?

State law provides for several licensesfor death care businesses and professionals, including embalmers, funeral directors, funeral homes, and cemeteries. Individuals may obtain forms and other licensing information through the division's website.

How effective is the division in performing its functions?

The division currently regulates 9,411 death care industry licensees of various types. The division has the authority to conduct investigations, financial examinations, and inspections of applicants and licensees, and impose disciplinary sanctions on licensees. For Fiscal Year 2021-22 the division cited 93 entities for disciplinary action. Consumers may access a current list of entities under disciplinary action through the website.

How are these activities funded?

Fiscal Year: 2023-24
Fund Salary Rate/ Position General Revenue Trust Funds
SALARY RATE
POSITIONS
SALARIES AND BENEFITS
FROM REGULATORY TRUST FUND
OTHER PERSONAL SERVICES
FROM REGULATORY TRUST FUND
EXPENSES
FROM REGULATORY TRUST FUND
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
ELECTRONIC COMMERCE FEES FOR COLLECTION OF REVENUE
FROM REGULATORY TRUST FUND
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
CONTRACTED SERVICES
FROM REGULATORY TRUST FUND
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
OPERATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES
FROM REGULATORY TRUST FUND
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
RISK MANAGEMENT INSURANCE
FROM REGULATORY TRUST FUND
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
LEASE OR LEASE-PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT
FROM REGULATORY TRUST FUND
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
TRANSFER TO DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES - HUMAN RESOURCES SERVICES PURCHASED PER STATEWIDE CONTRACT
FROM REGULATORY TRUST FUND
TOTAL
0
2,751,477

Updates

Funeral Sales Agents and Funeral Contracts. The 2023 Legislature enacted Ch. 2023-144, Laws of Florida, which includes the following changes that impact the death care industry.

  • Limited Insurance License. The law creates a limited insurance license to allow already licensed preneed funeral sales agents to be appointed to represent the preneed insurer.
  • Regulation of Preneed Funeral Contracts. The law creates an exemption to clarify that travel-related transportation protection agreements for the preparation and return of human remains are not preneed funeral contracts and are not subject to the Florida Insurance Code.

Where can I find related OPPAGA reports?

A complete list of related OPPAGA reports is available on our website.

Where can I get more information?

What are the applicable statutes?

Chapter 497, Florida Statutes

Whom do I contact for help?

Division of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services, 850-413-3039 (main number), 1-800-323-2627 (toll-free), or the DFS Contact Form
Website