FAQ
Q. What purpose does a funeral serve?
A. It is the customary way to recognize death and its finality. Funerals are recognized rituals for the living to show respect for the dead and to help survivors begin the grief process.
Q. What do funeral directors do?
A. Funeral directors are caregivers and administrators. 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. Funeral directors are trained to answer questions about grief, recognize when a person is having difficulty coping, and recommend sources of professional help. Funeral directors also link survivors with support groups at the funeral home or in the community.
Q. Why have a public viewing?
A. Viewing is part of many cultural and ethnic traditions. Many grief specialists believe that viewing aids the grief process by helping the bereaved recognize the reality of death. Viewing is encouraged for children, as long as the process is explained and the activity voluntary.
Q. What is the purpose of embalming?
A. Embalming sanitizes and preserves the body, retards the decomposition process, and enhances the appearance of a body disfigured by traumatic death or illness. Embalming makes it possible to lengthen the time between death and the final disposition, thus allowing family members time to arrange and participate in the type of service most comforting to them.
Q. Does a dead body have to be embalmed, according to law?
A. No. Most states, however, require embalming when death was caused by a reportable contagious disease or when remains are to be transported from one state to another by common carrier or if final disposition is not to be made within a prescribed number of hours.
Q. Don't funeral directors mark caskets up tremendously, at least 400%?
A. No. Talking about the mark up on caskets is really not the point. Most items clothing, furniture, jewelry are marked up as much or more than caskets. The real question is whether the funeral director is making an excessive profit, And that answer is "No." Profits run around 12.5% before taxes not excessive by any standard.
Q. What should I do if the death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend?
A. Most Funeral Directors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call Us.
Q. Will someone come right away?
A. If you request immediate assistance, yes. If the family wishes to spend a short time with the deceased to say good bye, it's acceptable. We will come when your time is right.
Q. If a loved one dies out of state , can the local Funeral Home still help?
A. Yes, they can assist you with out of state arrangements, either to transfer the remains to another state or from another state.
Q. So, I've decided on cremation. Can I still have a funeral or a viewing?
A. Yes, quite often some sort of viewing precedes the actual cremation. We can assist you with the necessary information for a funeral with a cremation following or a memorial service.
Q. What government agencies help defray final expenses?
A. Usually, Funeral Directors will help gather the necessary information to apply for financial assistance from Social Security, Veteran's, retirements and any others.