Frequent Questions

The funeral director's job is to assist the bereaved in various ways to help them through the loss of a loved one. A funeral director provides bereavement and consolation services for the living, in addition to making arrangements for the cremation, burial, and memorial services for the deceased. He fulfills the role of funeral arranger, funeral director, funeral attendant, and embalmer.

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 certificates, permits, and other required forms
•     Obtaining copies of the death certificate
•     Arrangements with the cemetery, crematory, or other places of final disposition
•     Creates and publishes 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 insurance, grief counseling

A traditional funeral 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 cost of any items you select will be fully explained before you make your choice. We may offer convenient packages of services and merchandise to make your selection easier and provide savings in cost. But most of all, we want you to be satisfied that you receive everything you want and only what you want, at the appropriate cost.

All the personal services of our funeral director—such as supervising all the arrangements you choose, completing the necessary paperwork, and coordinating with clergy, cemetery, or crematory—are included in one basic service charge. Our advice and assistance in creating a personalized, meaningful event are always included, regardless of the cost of the service or merchandise. If you have any concerns about cost or special financial limitations, please don’t hesitate to mention them to your funeral arranger.

A funeral or memorial service 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.

Funeral and memorial services can vary greatly, just as the individuals they honor do. They are most meaningful when they offer insight into the unique life of the person being remembered. Whether you prefer a simple or elaborate funeral, it can be held in a location of your choosing. It doesn't have to be immediate and can be scheduled for a later date or even become an annual remembrance event. What mattered to your loved one can also provide significance to those attending the service. Sharing memories with others can be as uncomplicated as playing a cherished song or recounting a personal anecdote. Alternatively, it may involve the display of photographs or items related to a beloved hobby. Your funeral coordinator will collaborate with you to create a service that aligns with your family's preferences, pays tribute to your loved one, and captures their unique spirit.

In the aftermath of a funeral or memorial service, many families find solace in the opportunity to bid their final farewells to their departed loved one. Gazing upon your loved one, whether in an open casket or next to an urn post-cremation, can leave an enduring impression of their life. While sadness is a natural emotion during this time, such viewing often aids in the eventual discovery of comfort and tranquility for family and friends. Nevertheless, it's crucial to acknowledge that we never advocate for viewing if it doesn't align with the wishes and feelings of your family.

When a death occurs, children should be included. Like adults, they need to work through their grief and should be allowed to say goodbye in their own way. Children will feel better during and after funeral events if they are encouraged to participate as much or as little as they prefer. They may want to place something into the casket, write a letter, color a picture, or even read a note at the funeral. You can help children by encouraging their questions and responding to them with love, patience, and reassurance.

No. Many families have religious customs, and we will always honor your choice of music, house of worship and other traditions specified by you or your clergy person. But if your family does not wish a religious service, you can choose to remember your loved one in a dignified, inspirational, patriotic or even humorous way—whatever is most fitting and whatever you decide.​

Indeed, while funeral and memorial services have conventionally occurred in churches, synagogues, or dedicated funeral facilities, they can also be hosted in various alternative locations. These options encompass the homes of friends or family members, serene parks, picturesque beaches, elegant reception halls, scenic golf courses, or any other venue of your family's preference. Furthermore, in addition to the immediate event, you might contemplate the possibility of organizing a memorial gathering at a later date, and we are well-equipped to assist in arranging events in nearly any location of your choice.

Yes, cremation or burial is merely the disposition of the body. Funeral services are to honor and remember your loved one, regardless of disposition.

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.

• 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
• 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