Traditional Local Burial
Visitation one evening with the Funeral Service either at the church or Funeral Home Chapel the following day.  Burial typically follows the service. 

Cremation

There can be a traditional visitation and service for someone requesting cremation.  For an individual wishing no services, the term used is Direct Cremation.  Embalming is not required for a Direct Cremation.

Transfer Out-of-State

For an individual requesting services and/or burial to be performed out-of-state, there are several decisions to be made.  You must request funeral homes at the place of death and the location where the funeral services and burial will be held. Requesting a family owned and operated funeral home is most often to your advantage regarding level of service and pricing.  A casket may be selected at either of these funeral homes, even if there is no visitation or services in the location where the death occurred.  You should compare prices of comparable caskets after you select funeral homes before you make a decision regarding where to purchase the casket. 

Graveside Services Only

This is an option if the family requests no visitation or church or Chapel services.

Memorial Services

A Memorial Service, in memory of the deceased, is usually held when the family selects cremation.  It can be held in a church or the funeral home chapel with or without the cremains present.

Compare

Although level of service provided to the deceased, and the family at their time of greatest need, should be the most important factor in making a decision regarding which funeral home to choose, you can make wise economical decisions that will save money, without compromising the level of service (perhaps even providing superior service). 

We would like to give you a few simple steps to ensure that you realize these savings, without sacrificing service.   

1. Make a decision regarding the type of services you will be requesting, such as traditional local burial, cremation with or without visitation and/or services, or out-of-state transfer.

2. Talk to trusted neighbors and friends, or your minister to make recommendations regarding funeral homes in your area.  The level of service you will receive is usually superior in family owned funeral homes.  Make sure you ask each funeral home you contact if they are family owned, or owned by a corporation.

3. After you have selected the funeral homes you wish to contact, you should make a relatively short telephone call to each. Federal laws require funeral homes to give prices over the telephone.

4. If you wish traditional services, ask the price for full traditional services including: professional services fees, transfer from place of death, embalming, cosmetics, dressing and casketing, visitation, funeral services, register book and memorial cards, and all related use of facilities and equipment.  Our price for these services is $2895, so that you have a level of comparison.

5. Direct Cremation is much less expensive for those requesting no services.  Our price is $1295, which includes all costs.  Most funeral homes charge additional fees for alternative containers (Florida Law requires a rigid alternative container for cremation), medical examiner fees, transportation of deceased, service charges associated with obtaining death certificates, and/or crematory fees.

6. Compare casket prices, probably the single most expense item purchased for a funeral.  These prices vary at each funeral home.  As an item for comparison, we sell a J37 Primrose (shown below) made by Batesville for $3495.  It is a mid-level casket and there are numerous selections priced both above and below this level.  Casket prices range from $1495 to $8995 for  We also sell a full selection of urns ranging from $75 to $695.  

7. WE WILL MEET OR BEAT ANY CASKET PRICE FROM ANY FUNERAL HOME, INTERNET SITE OR CASKET STORE.

For a complete listing of all services and prices, please email your request to: michael@hodgesfuneralhome.com , or call us at 352-567-0000 or 352-567-6100 in Dade City or 813-788-6100 in Zephyrhills..

We believe that our caring, compassionate service is superior to any funeral home in our area, and in addition to economical pricing, is what the families of Central Florida expect and deserve.  We simply treat people like we want to be treated.  We would be honored to have you visit our historic building in downtown Dade City.

PrePlanning Funeral Services

 
 Why should you preplan a funeral?

• Preplanning allows emotion to play less of a role in decision making.  Emotional overspending is common occurrence when the decision is made after the death has occurred.  Preplanning allows logical, well thought out plans that your family will appreciate.

• The cost savings that can be realized, with affordable, optional, prepayment plans, is substantial.  Pay today’s prices for your future needs. We offer both trust agreements and insurance plans, both on a monthly or lump sum payment, whichever suits your personal needs

• Instead of a family crisis at the time of death, you can realize peace of mind, knowing that all details are attended to, a distinct advantage of preplanning.