What is the purpose of a funeral?

Funerals are an important step in the grieving process.  It is important to recognize that funerals are for the living...for those who have suffered the trauma of losing a loved one.  Often funerals are the first step in the healing process.  They offer surviving family members and friends a caring, supportive environment in which to share thoughts and feelings about the death.  It also offers them the opportunity to pay tribute to their loved one.  Funerals quite often become reunions of family and friends of the deceased.

What kinds of funerals do most persons select?

Funerals should be unique, and no two funerals are exactly alike. Each funeral should reflect the unique needs and desires of the survivors.  A funeral should honor and celebrate the life that was lived.  Sharing pictures, favorite music, mementos, etc. about the life of an individual should be emphasized at funerals to commemorate a life lived.

What is a eulogy?

A eulogy is a written tribute or speech given at a funeral or memorial service to commemorate someone who has passed away. The eulogy is not to be lengthy, but should offer praise and commendation and reflect the life of the person who has died.

What about cremation?

Cremation is an alternative to earth burial.  Cremation is not the funeral.  It is a form of final disposition of the body. Cremation may be preceded by a regular funeral with the body present or followed by a memorial service.  In the case of a funeral, a rental casket can be used for visitation and funeral services. After the service, cremation occurs, just as interment in a cemetery takes place after funeral services.

What is the difference between a Funeral Service and a Memorial Service?

A funeral service is a ceremony that takes place with the body of the deceased present.  A memorial service is a ceremony honoring the deceased without the body present.

What is the purpose of embalming?

Embalming sanitizes the body, provides temporary preservation of the body, retards the decomposition process, and enhances the appearance of the body.

Is embalming required by law?

Except in certain special cases, embalming is not required by law. Embalming may be necessary, however, if you select certain funeral arrangements, such as a viewing.

Should children attend the funeral?

Children react differently from adults when a family member dies. When a child asks a question about death, answer them truthfully and do not make things up. Whether or not a child should attend a funeral is a personal decision to be made with the child. If the child was close to the deceased, it is fine for the child to attend if he/she feels comfortable doing so. The best thing to do is to talk to the child about how they are feeling and answer their questions about what afuneral is and what will happen there.

A child who is frightened about attending a funeral should not beforced to go; however, remembering the deceased in some other way, suchas lighting a candle, saying a prayer, making a scrapbook, looking at pictures, or telling a story may be helpful.

What do Funeral Directors do?

Funeral Directors are caregivers and facilitators.  They are there to help you through a very difficult time in your life.  They make the arrangements for transportation of the body, complete all necessary paperwork, and implement the choices made by the family regarding the funeral and final disposition of the body.

Funeral directors are listeners, advisors and supporters.  They have experience assisting the bereaved in coping with death. Through discussions with you, based on information you share about your wishes and details about your loved one, they are able to offer guidance and help you coordinate a very personal and meaningful tribute that honors the life of your loved one.  Funeral directors also link survivors with support groups in the community

Why have a public viewing?

Viewing is a part of culture and ethnic traditions.  Viewing aids the grief process by helping the bereaved recognize the reality of death.  It also gives family and friends the opportunity to say their final goodbyes prior to the disposition of the body. Viewing is encouraged for children, as long as the process is explained and the activity voluntary.

Why are funerals expensive?

A funeral home is a 24-hour, labor-intensive business, with extensive facilities (viewing rooms, chapels, limousines, hearses, etc.) these expenses must be factored into the cost of a funeral.

Moreover, the cost of a funeral includes not only merchandise, like caskets, but the services of the funeral director seeing to all of the necessary details.

What is included in a traditional funeral?

As mentioned before, no two funerals are alike; but most funerals have certain aspects that make it a traditional funeral. The following items listed are included in most traditional funerals:

• Basic services of funeral director and staff.
• Use of facilities and staff for visitation at funeral home, and for funeral ceremony at funeral home or church.
• Transfer of remains to funeral home.
• Embalming and sanitation of deceased.
• Dressing, cosmeticizing and casketing the deceased.
• Printing package including register book, memorial cards, or prayer cards and acknowledgement cards.
• Death certificates; obituary notices.
• Use of funeral coach and/or limousine for funeral service
• Pallbearers gloves
• Graveside equipment set up charge

Note: Does not include cemetery property, opening and closing of grave, or grave marker.

How much does a funeral cost?

You and your family determine the cost of a funeral. A funeral can be as extravagant or as simple as you desire.  There is a wide range of funeral services from which to choose.  There are certain expenses basic to almost every funeral, but many are determined by the selections that are made, the services specified, and the additional items requested.

According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the average cost of a traditional funeral is $6,500. This does not include the cost of one's cemetery property or memorial marker. Nor does it include any debts that may have accumulated up until the time of death. Planning for your final expenses now will help protect grieving loved ones from a substantial burden someday - one they may be poorly equipped to successfully take on, either financially or emotionally.

Is it possible to plan a funeral in advance?

Yes, there are benefits of preplanned funerals.  Preplanning offers emotional and financial security.  It ensures your personal wishes regarding your own funeral, and its relieves your family of much of the emotional burden at the time of your death.  Preplanning doesn't necessarily mean prepaying.

Is a vault required by law?

If a loved one dies out of state, can the local funeral home still help?

Yes, they can assist you with out-of-state arrangements, either to transfer the remains to another state or from another state.