FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of options are available for your loved one's funeral? Why do you need an obituary notice? What are funeral homes responsible for? What is involved in embalming? Should you choose burial or cremation? How much does a funeral cost? These are just a few of the questions we hear every day from people just like you, and below, you'll find the answers.



General Questions

What is a funeral?
A funeral is a time when friends and family gather to celebrate a life and mourn the loss of a loved one. The funeral is the starting point of the recovery process and the first step toward healing.  

What type of funeral service should I have?
A funeral service can be open to the public or accessible by invitation only. You can choose burial or cremation, a large service or a small one. And you can follow the liturgy of the religion of your choice. Our funeral directors are trained to provide you with support and guidance to help you plan a funeral that reflects your needs and desires.

Can I personalize my funeral service?
You most certainly can. Each funeral should reflect the life of the deceased – and no two people are the same. We encourage you to let us know exactly how you want yourself or your loved one to be remembered and we will do our best to create a ceremony that will truly celebrate your life.

Why should we have a public viewing?
While not every tradition encourages a public viewing, we believe that they serve a purpose. Making a viewing part of your funeral service provides closure to all in attendance, especially the bereaved. Studies show that viewing the body helps the bereaved recognize the reality of death and can help in the grieving process.

What does a funeral director do?
Our funeral directors are here to help you, any time of any day. It is our job to care for you at one of the most difficult times of your life. We work with you to plan the memorial. We carry out all wishes during the funeral and in the disposition of the body. We promise to guide you in the right direction when planning the funeral and help you before, during and after the service.

What should I do if a death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend?
Call us. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you need immediate assistance, one of our funeral directors will be there.

What should I do if a death occurs while away from home?
Our funeral directors can help you no matter where a death has occurred. We’ll take care of everything from bringing your loved one back home to helping you arrange the service.

QUESTIONS ABOUT CREMATION

What is involved in cremation?
The casket or container is placed in the cremation chamber where the temperature reaches 1,400-1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. After approximately 2.5 hours, all organic material is consumed by heat and evaporation, and the bone fragments are left behind. These are known as the cremated remains, which are then carefully removed from the chamber and processed into fine particles to be placed in a container or urn for the family.

Do I need a casket if I choose cremation?
No. However for sanitary reasons, many crematories require a combustible, leak-proof, covered container.

Can I have a visitation period and a funeral service if cremation is chosen?
Absolutely. Many families choose a traditional service before a cremation.

What can be done with the cremated remains?
With cremation you have a number of options. The cremated remains can be interred in a cemetery plot or retained by a family member -- usually in an urn, scattered on private property or at a place that was important to the deceased.

QUESTIONS ABOUT EMBALMING

What is embalming?
Embalming is the temporary disinfection, preservation, and restoration of the body. During the embalming process, the body is washed and dressed and cosmetics are applied.

Is embalming necessary?
If the body has to be transported to a country that requires embalming, then yes, it is necessary. Otherwise the decision is up to you. Some religious traditions forbid embalming. If your religion allows it, we recommend embalming if there is a long wait before burial or cremation.

QUESTIONS ABOUT OBITUARIES

Why do we need an obituary notice?
An obituary notice is helpful for friends and family of the deceased. It informs them that a death has occurred and gives them information about the service. Obituaries can be placed in newspapers and online.

What is included in an obituary?
A basic obituary includes the deceased’s full name, age, date of birth, city and state they were living in when they passed away. It should also include the name of the deceased’s significant other, and the date, time and place of the viewing, burial, wake and memorial service. If you don't have this information yet, you can always write something such as, "Funeral arrangements are being made by the funeral home and will be announced at a later date."

You may wish to add additional details, such as the names of any children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, parents, other close relatives or special friends. You may wish to write about the deceased’s life, accomplishments and legacy. You may suggest preferred charities for memorial contributions and let people know if you would rather not receive flowers.

QUESTIONS ABOUT FUNERAL COSTS

How much does a funeral cost?
The cost of a funeral depends entirely on your wishes for the funeral. Funeral costs are made up of professional services, charges for transporting the body and presentation of the body, casket costs, vehicle charges, and fees for the doctor, minister, or cremation. Personalizing a funeral is also a factor in the cost. While we have many options to help you memorialize your loved one in a meaningful way, those options all have costs attached.

Why are funerals so expensive?
Funerals are expensive because they require a lot of work from a lot of people. Funeral directors spend as much as 40 hours working on a single funeral. The funeral home needs to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure that we’re available when a death occurs. Funeral costs also include merchandise such as the casket or the urn and services such as processing of paperwork, florists and placing the obituary in the newspaper.

What happens if I have a problem with how a funeral was handled?
We take pride in caring for the families who trust us during this difficult time. However, sometimes things can go wrong, and if they do, you are not alone. Funeral service in the U.S. is regulated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state licensing boards.

If a problem occurs, first discuss it with the funeral director. If it can’t be resolved, contact the FTC Consumer Response Center.

Consumer Response Center, Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20580

www.ftc.gov

1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357).

QUESTIONS ABOUT PRE-ARRANGEMENT

What is a pre-arranged funeral?
A pre-arranged funeral is a funeral arrangement made prior to death. You can pre-arrange your own funeral or you can pre-arrange a funeral for a loved one. Pre-arrangement is a way for you to make sure your life is celebrated in a way that is meaningful to you. It also relieves your loved ones of the burden of arranging a funeral for you.

How do I make funeral arrangements?
You can call a funeral director to make an appointment or plan it online. We offer this service free of charge.

I don’t have cemetery arrangements. Where should I go?
Many people choose to be buried in the same cemetery their family members or friends use, while others choose the cemetery closest to their home. If you haven’t chosen a cemetery, your funeral director will help you find one.
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