Frequent Questions

A funeral is an important event when a loved one dies. Gathering with family and friends in a community of care and support can help begin the healing process and provide comfort during a time of grief and mourning. Funerals help symbolize the reality of the death and can provide a sense of closure while also celebrating the life that was lived. Funerals have a long standing history of tradition and are a significant part of acknowledging a death in many cultures.

A funeral director manages all of the details and tasks related to the funeral (and other services) and care of the deceased, both in a caregiving capacity and as an administrator. Funeral directors are highly regulated licensed professionals who handle a large range of services and coordinate all of the arrangements so that the family does not feel the burden of managing those things. The funeral director coordinates the removal of the deceased and transportation to the funeral home, completes the required paperwork (such as death certificates and insurance claims), and supervises the administration of the funeral (or other services), the final disposition of the remains, and any other details that need to be handled. Funeral directors have an important position of providing guidance, support, and helping the family during an incredibly difficult time in their life.

When someone dies, you may feel overwhelmed thinking about who to contact and what tasks you will need to take care of. One of your first calls should be to the funeral home so we can help guide you and tell you what to expect. We will need some basic information before our first meeting so that we can complete the required vital statistics paperwork and order the death certificate. We will notify the Social Security Administration on your behalf and help you gather the information to apply for any death benefits you may be eligible for. Please collect and bring the following information when you meet with us: Birth Date Birthplace Full names of Mother and Father, including Mother’s maiden name. Social Security Number Marital Status Level of Education Discharge or Claim Number of deceased was a Veteran You will need several copies of the certified death certificate for things like closing accounts in the deceased’s name. We will help you determine how many copies you may need and get them ordered for you. Make a list of any immediate family members, close friends or other people who need to be notified of the death, including the deceased’s employer, if applicable. You may want to ask a friend or family member to help with this task. You may also want to ask someone to help at the deceased’s residence to collect mail, packages, or receive any deliveries in the first few days following a death. If you want to have clergy present at a funeral service, you should contact them to arrange a date and time. The funeral home can assist with coordinating service details with the cemetery if you would like a graveside service or traditional burial. Begin thinking about what information you want to include in an obituary. This is another task you may choose to ask a family member to help you with. Generally an obituary includes basic information about the deceased’s life, including age, place of birth, cause of death, occupation, educational background, any military service, hobbies they enjoyed, organizations or clubs they belonged to, and a list of surviving relatives. You should also select a photograph if you would like to have one in the obituary. The details for any public services are usually listed in the obituary, along with any requests for donations or gifts made on behalf of the deceased.

We can work with you to plan our arrival when you are ready. We will be there as soon as possible if you request immediate assistance. If you request a little time to say goodbye to your loved one or allow time for family members to arrive, we are happy to delay our arrival to accommodate your wishes.

Choosing burial or cremation is a personal decision that depends on the preference of the family or the wishes of the deceased. With either choice, you can still have a traditional funeral or a memorial service to honor the life of your loved one. Burial of a casket in the ground has traditionally been the most common form of disposition after someone dies. Above ground entombments in a crypt or mausoleum is also an option in many areas. Many people want the ritual of the graveside burial service and a tangible monument such as a headstone or grave marker to visit when they want to remember their loved one. Religious or cultural customs and traditions may also dictate whether you choose a burial or cremation. Lately more people are choosing cremation because it can be a more affordable option than a burial and there is a wide range of flexibility that comes with cremation. Choosing cremation can also provide more time for family members to come together to make plans or travel longer distances when necessary. Typically cremated remains are placed in an urn before going to their final resting place. You may choose to keep an urn above ground in a significant place, or it can be placed in a columbarium or mausoleum at a cemetery. Scattering of ashes is also very common, usually being done in a place of importance to the deceased or somewhere meaningful for the family.

There is nothing requiring you to hold a viewing, however many people believe that a viewing is an important step in starting the grieving process and moving toward healing. There may also be cultural or ethic considerations for holding a viewing. When deciding whether or not to have a viewing, consider the wishes of your loved one and what they would have wanted. It can be very important for some family members and loved ones to have a chance to see the person one more time and say goodbye. A private family viewing is also an option if you feel like that would be more appropriate for your situation.

Embalming cleans and sanitizes the body and helps preserve the remains. This extends the time between death and final disposition (such as burial or cremation) and allows people more flexibility in making arrangements or traveling after a death. Embalming is also required if you want to hold a viewing.

Embalming is generally not mandatory, but there are situations where it is required by law. Some funeral arrangements, such as a viewing, require embalming. We will thoroughly explain your options regarding embalming and help you choose the right service for your situation and your wishes. If you do not want to pay for embalming, you may choose a service like direct cremation or immediate burial that does not require it.

Many of the costs associated with a funeral happen behind the scenes in the work a funeral director and staff do to ease the burden on the family. Countless hours go into making arrangements, completing paperwork, coordinating between officials like doctors, county officials, clergy, vendors, etc. There are also costs associated with running a 24/7 business such as maintaining facilities, vehicles, insurance, and other overhead expenses. It is a very labor and time intensive business and all of these things must be factored into the pricing of services and merchandise.

No, you can still have a traditional funeral service even if you choose cremation. Your choices should be based on the preferences of your loved one and the wishes of the family. Regardless of whether you choose burial or cremation, you can still have the service or services you desire, such as a viewing, funeral, memorial service or whatever combination you prefer.

One reason people may choose cremation is for the large range of options available when deciding the final disposition of cremated remains. Some people choose to inter or bury remains in a traditional cemetery plot, usually in an urn in the ground. You may also choose a spot in an above ground columbarium made for urns or a mausoleum with an urn niche. Another option is to keep an urn or other meaningful keepsake designed to hold cremated remains in a special place in your home. There are a wide variety of urns and memorial products designed to hold a portion of cremated remains if you would like to see what options are available. Scattering cremated remains is a common choice, generally in a significant place for the deceased or another meaningful location to the family. This can usually be done on private property or other locations, however you should check to see if there are any local laws or regulations regarding scattering ashes before doing so. Many cemeteries also offer scattering gardens if you would like a special place to visit and remember your loved one.

If you choose to bury an urn in a cemetery plot, you can select a traditional headstone or memorial plate. There are also options for memorial plates if you choose to place an urn in a columbarium or urn niche in a mausoleum. As mentioned above, a scattering garden at a cemetery may also be something to consider if you would like a place to visit to honor the deceased.

Yes, scattering remains is a popular choice because it provides a lot of flexibility regarding the location. We can help you plan a beautiful and personalized scattering service based on your loved one’s wishes and preferences if you would like to include a ceremony in your plans. These can be public or private events based on your wishes. We always encourage you to check local laws and regulations before scattering any cremated remains, especially if you are doing so in a public area.

Yes, many cemeteries allow an urn with cremated remains to be buried on top of or next to a casket, however you should check with the specific cemetery for their regulations. You may also be able to bury multiple urns in a single burial plot if the cemetery allows it.

We suggest you contact your tax professional or family attorney as soon as possible after the death of a spouse to determine how to best proceed. This can be a stressful time and it can be very helpful to have a solid understanding of how to best move forward to protect your finances and estate. If you do not have a designated tax professional or an attorney, the Internal Revenue Service can help you answer specific tax questions with their toll-free phone number (1-800-829-1040).

The unexpected expenses of a funeral can feel overwhelming, but we are here to help you as much as possible. Your funeral director can help guide you to less expensive choices and service options (such as cremation) if you are on a limited budget. Make sure to review any insurance policies the deceased may have taken out. Some life insurance policies have clauses with details for paying funeral expenses. Check with the Social Security Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, or your State Fund to see if the deceased is eligible for any financial assistance. Local charities, non-profit organizations or religious groups may have options for assistance paying funeral expenses.