WHAT WE DO
Funerals as Unique as Your Life
-HONORING LIFE
-DESIGNING YOUR FUNERAL
-FUNERAL SERVICES
-PERMANENT MEMORIALIZATION
-VETERAN’S SERVICES
- What is a funeral?
- The funeral is a ceremony of proven worth and value for those who mourn. It provides an opportunity for the
survivors and others who share in the loss to express their love, respect and grief. It permits facing openly and
realistically the crisis that death may present. Through the funeral, the bereaved take that first step towards
emotional adjustment to their loss.
- What type of service should I have?
- Only you can answer that question. The type of service conducted for the deceased, if not noted in a pre-plan, is
decided by the family. The service is usually held at a place of worship or at the funeral home. The service may vary
in ritual according to religious denomination or the wishes of the family. The presence of friends at this time is an
acknowledgment of friendship and support. A private service is by invitation only where selected relatives and a few
close friends attend the funeral service. A memorial service is usually a service without the body present and can
vary in ceremony and procedures according to the family's community and religious affiliations.
- Can I personalize my funeral service?
- Absolutely, in fact, we recommend it. After all, the funeral is a celebration of life. Funeral directors are happy to
discuss all options and ensure your funeral is tailored to your wishes. It may be personalized in many unique ways.
Contact us at (651) 228-1935 to explore the possibilities.
- Why should we have a public viewing?
- There are many reasons to view the deceased. It is part of many cultural and ethnic traditions, and many grief
specialists believe that viewing aids the grief process, by helping the bereaved recognize the reality of death.
Viewing is even encouraged for children, as long as it is their desire to do so, and the process is explained well.
- Why do we need an obituary notice?
- It is helpful to friends and the community to have an obituary notice published announcing the death and type of
service to be held. A notice can be placed in a local newspaper, or on the Internet.
- What do funeral directors do?
- Funeral directors are both caregivers and administrators. In their administrative duties, 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. As caregivers, 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.
- What should I do if the death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend?
- We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All you need to do is place a call to us at (651) 228-1935.
If you request immediate assistance, one of our professionals will be there within the hour. If the family wishes to
spend a short time with the deceased to say good bye, it's acceptable. Then they will come when your time is right.
- What should I do if a death occurs while away from home?
- Your funeral director can assist you if a death occurs anywhere on the globe. Contact your hometown funeral
director of choice immediately. They will assume responsibility and coordinate the arrangements for the return of the
deceased person to their community. They may engage the services of a funeral director in the place of death who
will act as their agent.
- What is the purpose of embalming?
- Embalming sanitizes and preserves the body, retards the decomposition process, and enhances the appearance
of a body disfigured by traumatic death or illness. It 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. Embalming the body enables mourners to view the deceased if they wish. The emotional benefits of viewing
the deceased are enormous, particularly to those having difficulty dealing with the death.
- Is embalming mandatory by law?
- No. But, certain factors of time, health and possible legal requirements might make embalming either appropriate or
necessary. Please note that embalming may be required if the deceased is being transported by air to another country
where local laws need be observed.
- Is cremation a substitute for a funeral?
- No, cremation is an alternative to earth burial or entombment for the body's final disposition and often follows a
traditional funeral service. We can assist you with the necessary information for a funeral with a cremation following
or a memorial service.
- Can I have a visitation period and a funeral service if cremation is chosen?
- Yes. Cremation does not preclude having a visitation period and a funeral service. Cremation is simply one option
for final disposition of the body.
- Is cremation as a means of disposition increasing?
- Yes, but not dramatically.
- Is it possible to have a traditional funeral if someone dies of AIDS?
- Yes, a person who dies of an AIDS-related illness is entitled to the same service options afforded to anyone else.
If public viewing is consistent with local or personal customs, that option is encouraged. Touching the deceased's
face or hands is perfectly safe. Because the grief experienced by survivors may include a variety of feelings,
survivors may need even more support than survivors of non-AIDS-related deaths.
- How much does a funeral cost?
- Funerals can cost as little as $1000 for a direct disposition. (Direct disposition includes registering the death, a basic
casket or container, and transporting the deceased to a cemetery or crematorium) For an adult, full-service funeral,
consumers choose to spend an average of $5000. This includes all professional services, including transfer-of
remains, embalming, and other preparation; use of viewing facilities and the facilities for the ceremony; hearse,
limousine, and the purchase of a casket.
- Has this cost increased significantly?
- Funeral costs have increased no faster than the consumer price index for other consumer items.
- Why are funerals so expensive?
- In some respects, funerals are a lot like weddings or birthday celebrations. The type and cost will vary according to the tastes and budget of the consumer. Not only that, 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 a funeral director in making arrangements; filing appropriate forms; dealing with doctors, ministers, florists, newspapers and others; and seeing to all the necessary details. Contrary to popular belief, funeral homes are largely family-owned with a modest profit margin.
- What recourse does a consumer have for poor service or overcharging?
- While most funeral homes provide outstanding services, sometimes things can go wrong. Funeral service is regulated by the Federal Trade Commission and state licensing boards. In most cases, the consumer should discuss problems with the funeral director first. If the dispute cannot be solved by talking with the funeral director, the consumer may wish to contact the FTC by contacting the Consumer Response Center by phone, toll-free, at 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357); TDD: 1-866-653-4261; by mail: Consumer Response Center, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580; or on the Internet at www.ftc.gov, using the online complaint form. You may also choose to contact the local Better Business Bureau, or your state consumer protection office.
- Who pays for funerals for the indigent?
- Other than the family, there are veteran, union, and other organizational benefits to pay for funerals. Most funeral directors are aware of the various benefits and know how to obtain them for the indigent. However, funeral directors often absorb costs above and beyond what is provided by agencies to insure the deceased a respectable burial.
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