All Roll Calls
Yes: 287 • No: 0
FloridaSB 5982026Senate
Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services
Sponsored By: Keith L. Truenow (Republican)
Signed by Governor
AppropriationBanking and InsuranceAppropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General GovernmentFiscal PolicyHouse Calendar
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
Broader entry paths for funeral interns
Beginning July 1, 2026, applicants can enter internships before finishing the education required for a full license. Funeral director interns qualify with an associate degree or higher in any field plus attendance in an approved funeral-service program. That degree must come from a regionally accredited college or university. Combined funeral director and embalmer interns qualify with that degree or enrollment and attendance in an accredited mortuary science program. The law removes prior law and ethics course requirements and the combined internship's 75-percent course-completion requirement.
Fewer licensing hurdles for funeral professionals
Beginning July 1, 2026, the law limits extra education and testing for certain applicants seeking licenses through endorsement. This covers embalmer, funeral director, and combined funeral director and embalmer licenses. Applicants must still pass the required exam on local, state, and federal laws and rules for handling human remains. Other education and testing requirements are limited to those specifically named in the law.
Exclusive funeral deals with care providers banned
Beginning July 1, 2026, funeral licensees cannot arrange to become a public-serving end-of-life care provider's sole service provider. They also cannot make an affiliated licensee the sole provider. The ban covers funeral, cremation, refrigeration, and removal services. It applies to entities providing medical, palliative, or other end-of-life care to the public.
Prepaid funeral insurance gets consent exception
Beginning July 1, 2026, prepaid funeral contract insurance is exempt from the insured person's written application or consent requirement. For other covered insurance, a person with legal capacity must apply or consent in writing before the contract is issued. Group policies are excluded from that rule. An exception also covers children under 15 or dependents when the buyer has a legally recognized interest in insuring them.
Providers gain authority over unclaimed remains
Beginning July 1, 2026, funeral or direct-disposal establishments may dispose of cremated remains unclaimed 90 days after cremation. This shortens the prior 120-day waiting period. Allowed methods include scattering at sea, licensed cemetery scattering gardens or ponds, church columbariums, and methods approved by rule. Licensees and licensed facilities also gain authority to dispose of human remains held lawfully for at least 90 days. That authority applies only when the legally authorized person fails, neglects, or refuses to direct disposition.
Prepaid funeral notices and response deadlines change
Beginning July 1, 2026, prepaid funeral cancellation or default notices can use the last known email or mailing address. Permitted delivery methods include certified mail, registered mail, or an allowed delivery service; return receipt is no longer specified. If notice returns undelivered within 30 calendar days, the trustee must diligently search for another email or mailing address. If the purchaser, beneficiary, or authorized representative does not respond within 120 days after the last mailed notice, trust funds must be distributed. Distribution follows the funeral contract, trust agreement, and applicable unclaimed-property law.
Cemetery land flexibility comes with safeguards
Beginning July 1, 2026, cemetery applications must list exact acreage and dividing public roads or rights-of-way. Cemeteries generally need 30 contiguous acres; nearby parcels split only by public roads or rights-of-way can count as one property. Distant parcels cannot count together. The law replaces a separate fixed minimum for cemetery land sales with the unified-property test and requires written approval. Before sale for another use, remains must be lawfully removed and sold titles, interests, and burial rights returned to the licensee. Religious cemeteries that affiliate with commercial businesses must meet cemetery law requirements.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Keith L. Truenow
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government
Affiliation unavailable
Banking and Insurance
Affiliation unavailable
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/12/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 104 • No: 0
House vote • 3/10/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 111 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 37 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/2/2026
Fiscal Policy Vote
Yes: 18 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Vote
Yes: 8 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/11/2026
Banking and Insurance Vote
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Bill Text
er
7/1/2026
c2
2/26/2026
c1
2/12/2026
Filed
11/19/2025