# Fla. Stat. § 497.002: 497.002 Purpose and intent

> Florida · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXIII_C497_PI_S497.002

## Section

- **Citation:** Fla. Stat. § 497.002
- **Heading:** 497.002 Purpose and intent
- **Jurisdiction:** Florida
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Florida Code / Title XXXIII / Chapter 497 / Part I / Section 497.002

## Text

(1) The Legislature recognizes that purchasers of preneed burial rights, funeral or burial merchandise, or funeral or burial services may suffer serious economic harm if purchase money is not set aside for future use as intended by the purchaser and that the failure to maintain cemetery grounds properly may cause significant emotional stress. Therefore, it is necessary in the interest of the public welfare to regulate preneed sales and cemeteries in this state. However, restrictions shall be imposed only to the extent necessary to protect the public from significant or discernible harm or damage and not in a manner which will unreasonably affect the competitive market.

(2) Subject to certain interests of society, the Legislature finds that every competent adult has the right to control the decisions relating to her or his own funeral arrangements. Accordingly, unless otherwise stated herein, it is the Legislature’s express intent that nothing contained in this chapter should be construed or interpreted in any manner as to subject preneed contract purchasers to federal income taxation under the grantor trust rules contained in ss. 671 et seq. of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(3) The Legislature deems it necessary in the interest of public health and safety to establish minimum qualifications for entry into the professions and occupations of embalming, funeral directing, cremation, direct disposition, and monument sales; to regulate such activities; and to provide for swift and effective discipline for those practitioners who violate the law.

History: ss. 2, 40, ch. 80-238; ss. 2, 3, ch. 81-318; s. 1, ch. 89-8; ss. 37, 122, ch. 93-399; s. 1, ch. 96-400; s. 1141, ch. 97-103; s. 4, ch. 2004-301.

## Nearby sections

- [Fla. Stat. § 497.001 497.001 Short title.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXIII_C497_PI_S497.001.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 497.002 497.002 Purpose and intent.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXIII_C497_PI_S497.002.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 497.005 497.005 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXIII_C497_PI_S497.005.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 497.0021 497.0021 Applicability of parts.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXIII_C497_PI_S497.0021.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 497.101 497.101 Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services; membership; appointment; terms.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXIII_C497_PI_S497.101.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 497.103 497.103 Authority of board and department; Chief Financial Officer recommendations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXIII_C497_PI_S497.103.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 497.107 497.107 Headquarters.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXIII_C497_PI_S497.107.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 497.140 497.140 Fees.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXIII_C497_PI_S497.140.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 497.141 497.141 Licensing; general application procedures.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXIII_C497_PI_S497.141.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 497.142 497.142 Licensing; fingerprinting and criminal background checks.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXIII_C497_PI_S497.142.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 497.143 497.143 Licensing; limited licenses for times of critical need.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXIII_C497_PI_S497.143.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 497.144 497.144 Licensing; examinations, general provisions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXIII_C497_PI_S497.144.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 497.145 497.145 Licensing; use of professional testing services.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXIII_C497_PI_S497.145.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 497.146 497.146 Licensing; address of record; changes; licensee responsibility.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXIII_C497_PI_S497.146.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXXIII_C497_PI_S497.002. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.