FAQ

The competent funeral director will assist the bereaved in various ways to help them through the loss of a loved one. It is the funeral director's responsibility to see that all details are tended to in order to create a quality experience. Additionally, they may be working on holidays, weekends, and after-hours to serve families.   

The following list is not all-inclusive, but describes some of the major tasks of a funeral director: 

•     Removal and transfer of the deceased from the place of death to the funeral home
•     Professional care of the deceased, including embalming, casketing, and cosmetology
•     Consulting with family to make arrangements for the funeral service
•     Filing death certificates, permits, and other required forms
•     Obtaining copies of the death certificate
•     Arrangements with the cemetery, crematory, or other places of final disposition
•     Creating and publishing the obituary
•     Arrangements for clergy, music, flowers, transportation, pallbearers, and special fraternal or military services
•     Directs and manages the funeral service and the funeral procession
•     Assists the family with death-related claims, including Social Security, VA benefits, and life insurance
•     Creating and assisting with monuments and headstones.

A full funeral ceremony involves a number of services which add to the total cost. Besides a non-declinable basic services fee, other charges may include removal/transfer of the body to the funeral home; embalming; other preparation of the body; use of facilities and staff for viewing; use of facilities and staff for the funeral ceremony; use of a hearse, service car, or van; a basic memorial printed package; metal casket, a vault or grave liner, and purchase of a cemetery plot.

The way in which the dead are cared for is very important. The job of a funeral director/embalmer involves being on call at night, over weekends, and on holidays. To provide a high quality customer experience at the time of death is not easy. Caring for grieving people in a culture that does not give death the space and time it deserves is one of the most challenging aspects of the job. Not all funeral homes provide competent funeral directors and a comforting space. When a loved ones dies, it is important that the deceased and family are cared for in the highest regard. Providing that level of service comes with appropriate costs in order to ensure that the comforting funeral home with competent funeral directors can continue to serve the community in the years to come.  

A funeral or memorial ceremony provides an opportunity for the living to show respect for the deceased and pay tribute to their life. It provides a framework to freely and openly express our beliefs, feelings, and thoughts about the death of our loved one. It gives us permission to grieve our loss, share in solidarity, and gain strength from others who are experiencing the same loss. Many times families only come together for weddings and funerals. The funeral also serves as a time to catch up with family and friends you haven't seen in awhile. 

There are many choices when considering a ceremony. If the deceased is present, we often refer to that as a funeral ceremony. If the deceased is not present we may refer to that as a memorial ceremony or Celebration of Life. Sometimes, families choose to have a graveside only ceremony. Other times, families may just invite close friends and family to their home and host a get-together in honor of their loved one. The important part is that you let people gather in some way, shape, or form. The need to gather after a death is innate and something people naturally want to do. 

Yes! Although cremation seems to be more popular now, more families are chosing to have a viewing and funeral followed by cremation. This allows for friends and family to come pay their respects at the funeral home, gather as a community and mourn the loss of a loved one, and still carry out the cremation wishes of the deceased. 

Pre-arranging funeral services can be done regardless of the final disposition. Pre-arranging is simply recording your wishes with the funeral home and prefunding if you choose to do so. Regardless of your wishes, planning in advance is always a good idea. Because there is a 100% chance that you will die, there really isn't a reason not to plan ahead. Families who take the time to plan ahead have a much calmer and less traumatic time at the funeral home once the death occurs. This also allows the funeral director to have much of the information needed before the arrangment conference so they can be better prepared and better able to serve. 

There have been zero circumstances when planning in advance was not appreciated by surviving family members. 

• Advance Directives - If the deceased left any written advance directives concerning the disposition of his remains and memorialization, you need to bring them with you. These instructions may be found in a will, or there may be a formally witnessed disposition directive, funeral pre-arrangements, or a pre-need contract.
• Military Discharge Papers (DD214)
• Details on any cemetery property owned by the deceased or the family (grave plot, columbarium space, etc.)
• Recent photograph of the deceased and any personal effects that you wish to be included in the viewing or burial
• Specific information on the deceased: 
•     Full legal name
•     Address
•     Marital status
•     Social Security number
•     Date of birth
•     Place of birth (city and state)
•     Educational history (number of years of schooling)
•     Armed Forces service dates and serial number
•     Occupation or profession
•     Parent's names, including mother's maiden name
•     Next of kin and other survivors