Frequently Asked Questions
What is a funeral?
A funeral is a ceremony for a deceased person prior to burial or cremation. A funeral gives the opportunity for family and friends of the deceased to gather and mourn the passing of their loved one, to share cherished memories, to ponder the meaning of their life, and how our lives (and the deceased's) fit into the larger picture of God's plan, and to celebrate their life on Earth with us. A funeral can be a vital first step to help the bereaved heal after the loss of someone special.
Can I personalize a funeral?
Yes, in fact more and more people are opting to personalize their services. There are many unique ways to celebrate life; let the funeral director know exactly what your hopes are and they will do their best to fufill them.
Do we need to have an obituary notice and what is included in one?
It is recommended to have an obituary notice that’s either placed in a local newspaper, or placed online. An obituary lets the public know that a death has occurred, and gives them information about the service. Obituaries generally include the deceased’s name, date of death, age, survivors, and close family that may have predeceased. Space and cost could be considerations, but you may want to include a little information on the life and legacy of the deceased.
Who are funeral directors and what do they do?
Funeral directors assist the family with all of the logistics following a death. They complete the necessary paperwork, make arrangements for the transportation of the body, and put into action the choices made by the family in regards to the funeral service and the final resting place of the body. Beyond the logistics, funeral directors are there to provide moral support and guidance for someone coping with a death.
What happens if the death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend?
We are here to help, funeral directors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.
What if a death occurs away from my home town?
We can assist in making full arrangements to bring a body, or cremains, home from another country, state or neighboring town. We are here to help.
What is embalming and what purpose does it serve?
Embalming sanitizes and preserves the body; it also slows down the decomposition process and enhances the appearance of the body damaged by traumatic death or illness. Embalming gives time to the family of the deceased to arrange a service, and allows the family the option of having an open-casket viewing.
Do I need to have an embalming?
No. However, the funeral home may require embalming for visitation with an open casket or an extended gap between death and burial. Most airlines require embalming prior to transport.
How much does a funeral cost?
The cost of a funeral varies widely depending on the wishes you have and the services you choose. We would be happy to meet with you to discuss the services you would like and the costs associated with them. We do this as a courtesy so there is no cost or obligation for this type of consultation.
Funerals are labor intensive and require a lot of work from a lot of people. The cost of a funeral goes beyond merchandise such as caskets, it includes the services of a funeral director in making the necessary arrangements, filling out forms, and coordinating with all the other people involved at the time of death (doctors, lawyers, insurance companies, ministers, musicians, florists, social security, veterans administration, vital records, etc.). Funeral homes are available to provide assistance 24 hours a day, and maintain proper facilities suitable for visitation and funerals.