ICS Cremation & Funeral Home is a family-focused funeral home in Lake City, FL, offering direct cremation, cremation with a memorial service, traditional funerals, and green burial for families throughout Columbia County. Our phone line is staffed 24 hours a day at 386-752-3436, and we walk you through every option and cost before anything is decided.
If a death has just occurred, you don’t need to have anything figured out before you call. We’ll explain the next steps, arrange to bring your loved one into our care, and move at whatever pace your family needs.
Available 24/7: Call 386-752-3436 any time, day or night. Our Lake City office at 357 NW Wilks Lane is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Funeral and Cremation Options for Lake City Families
Every family’s situation is different. Some want a private cremation with no public gathering; others want a full viewing and service. Here is how the main options compare.
Direct Cremation: Cremation without a viewing or formal service beforehand. It is often the most affordable choice, and it leaves your family free to hold a memorial later. Learn more about our cremation services in North Florida.
Cremation with a Memorial Service: A gathering held after the cremation, at a chapel, a family home, or another place that meant something to your loved one, on a timeline that works for your family.
Traditional Funeral: A viewing followed by a chapel or graveside service, for families who want to honor long-held traditions. See the full range of funeral services we offer.
Green Burial: A natural burial with no embalming and biodegradable materials, offered through our association with Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery. Read about natural green burial options.
Not sure which is right? We’ll explain each option plainly and help you weigh it against your loved one’s wishes and your budget. Many families also choose a keepsake to keep their loved one close, and you can browse our urns, keepsakes, and caskets at your own pace.
What Happens When You Call Us After a Death in Lake City?
When you call, a member of our team gathers a few basic details and arranges to bring your loved one into our care, whether the death occurred at home, in a hospital, in hospice, or at a care facility. From there, we guide you through each decision and every piece of paperwork, one step at a time.
- Call us at 386-752-3436: Our line is staffed 24/7. Tell us where your loved one is, and we’ll take it from there.
- We bring your loved one into our care: We arrange dignified transportation from anywhere in Lake City, Columbia County, and the surrounding communities.
- Meet with a funeral director: At our Lake City office or by phone, we talk through your wishes, review options and costs, and complete the required authorizations.
- We handle the paperwork: We file the death certificate, coordinate any required medical examiner review, and secure the permits needed before cremation or burial.
For cremation, Florida law requires written authorization from the legally authorized person, usually the next of kin, before a cremation can take place (Florida Statutes § 497.607). Florida also has a 48-hour minimum waiting period after death, so the full process usually takes several days. Our guide to the Florida cremation timeline explains each step.
Pre-Planning and Veterans’ Services
Planning ahead is one of the kindest things you can do for your family. When your wishes are written down in advance, the people you love don’t have to guess or make hard decisions in the middle of their grief. We offer no-pressure consultations for pre-planning a funeral or cremation, so you can document your choices clearly.
We also help veterans’ families arrange burial at national and state veterans cemeteries and coordinate military honors, so those who served receive the recognition they earned.
How Much Does Cremation Cost in Lake City, FL?
The cost depends mainly on the type of service you choose. Direct cremation is generally the lowest-cost option because it doesn’t include embalming, a public viewing, or cemetery fees. A traditional funeral with burial adds those costs. Before you commit to anything, we’ll review what is included in each arrangement so you can choose with confidence.
One cost many families don’t expect is death certificates. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics charges $5 for a search and one certified copy, plus $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time, and county health department fees can vary (Florida Department of Health). We order certificates on your behalf as part of the arrangements.
Ask About Affordable Arrangements
Serving Lake City, Live Oak, and Columbia County
Our office is in Lake City, the county seat of Columbia County, so local families are never far from the people caring for their loved one. We also serve families in Live Oak and the surrounding communities, and we travel throughout North Florida and South Georgia when a family needs us. See all of the communities we serve across North Florida and South Georgia.
Why Lake City Families Choose ICS Cremation & Funeral Home
- Rooted in Lake City since 2000: We’re a local, family-focused funeral home, not a distant national network, and we understand the traditions of North Florida families.
- Personal, licensed guidance: Our team, including Sherry Craig and Janine Chenault, LFD (Licensed Funeral Director), walks with you from the first call to the final arrangements.
- Affordable options, explained plainly: Cost-conscious care is central to how we serve families, and we talk through costs before any decision is made.
- More choices than the basics: Beyond cremation and traditional funerals, we offer green burial and a free cremation option through whole-body donation with United Tissue Network.
Speak with a Lake City Funeral Director
What Families Say About Us
“ICS was a great experience. My dad died “after hours” and 80 miles away, but ICS was right there to help me through my dad’s passing.” – John Byrd
“Very kind and helpful with this hard process. Explained everything and answered all our questions.” – Desarie Romeo
Frequently Asked Questions About Funeral Homes in Lake City, FL
How do I choose a funeral home in Lake City, FL?
Start with availability, transparency, and choice. Look for a funeral home that answers the phone around the clock, will give you a written, itemized price list, has licensed funeral directors on staff, and offers the options your family is considering, whether that’s cremation, a traditional funeral, or green burial. A local provider can also handle transportation and paperwork without long delays.
How soon can a cremation take place in Florida?
Florida requires a minimum 48-hour waiting period after death, and the cremation can’t proceed until the legally authorized person signs a written authorization and the death certificate is completed. Because of these steps, most cremations in Florida take several days from the time of death. We keep your family updated at every stage.
What is included in a direct cremation?
Direct cremation typically includes bringing your loved one into our care, completing the death certificate and required permits, coordinating any medical examiner review, the cremation itself, and returning the cremated remains to your family in a basic container. Families can add an urn, keepsakes, or a memorial service if they wish.
Do you serve families in Live Oak and the rest of Columbia County?
Yes. We serve families throughout Columbia County, in Live Oak, and across the surrounding North Florida communities. Our phone line is staffed 24/7 at 386-752-3436, and we arrange transportation directly, so you don’t need to travel far or find a different provider to receive care close to home.
Can we hold a memorial service after a cremation?
Yes. Many families choose direct cremation and then hold a memorial or celebration of life days or weeks later, once relatives can travel and the family has had time to plan. The service can be held at a chapel, a home, or another meaningful place, and we can help coordinate the details.
Whenever you’re ready, whether that’s right now or after you’ve had time to think, we’re here. Call us any time at 386-752-3436 or contact ICS Cremation & Funeral Home to speak with a local director in Lake City, FL.