FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a funeral?
A funeral is a ceremony for a deceased person prior to burial or cremation. A funeral gives the opportunity for family and friends of the deceased to gather and mourn the passing of their loved one, to share cherished memories and celebrate their life. A funeral is a vital first step to help the bereaved heal after the loss of someone special.
What type of service should I have?
If no pre-arrangements have been made, the type of service is entirely up to you. Services are usually held at a funeral home or a place of worship. There is a wealth of different services, ranging from a traditional religious or military service to something a little more non-traditional. Our funeral directors are more than happy to work with you to figure out what would be the most appropriate.
Can I personalize a funeral?
Of course you can, in fact more and more people are opting for a more non-traditional personalized service. There is no right or wrong way to celebrate somebody’s life. There are many unique ways to celebrate life, let the funeral director know exactly what your desires are and they will honor your wishes.
Do we need to have an obituary notice and what is included in one?
It is highly recommended to have an obituary notice that’s either placed in a local newspaper, or placed online. An obituary lets the public know that a death has occurred, and gives them information about the service. Obituaries generally include the deceased’s full name, age, city and date of birth and the city they were living in when they died. It also includes the name of the deceased’s spouse, along with the names of anyone else significant in their lives, such as parents, children or grandchildren. Space may be limited in a newspaper obituary, but you may include a little blurb on the life and legacy of the deceased. An online obituary or memorial website offers you the chance to add a lot more about the deceased.
Who are funeral directors and what do they do?
Funeral directors are in charge of all the logistics following a death. They complete all the necessary paperwork, make arrangements for the transportation of the body, and put into action the choices made by the family in regards to the funeral service and the final resting place of the body. Beyond the logistics, funeral directors are there to provide moral support and guidance for someone coping with death.
What happens if the death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend?
We are here to help, funeral directors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.
What if a death occurs away from my home town?
We are here to help, we can arrange to have the remains transported home from anywhere in the world. We will assume responsibility and make the proper arrangements to have the remains return to the community.
What is embalming and what purpose does it serve?
Embalming sanitizes and preserves the body; it also slows down the decomposition process and enhances the appearance of the body damaged by traumatic death or illness. Embalming gives time to the family of the deceased to arrange a service, and allows the family the option of having an open-casket viewing.
Do I need to have an embalming?
No. In fact some religions forbid embalming. However, some countries require embalming by law in order for remains to leave or enter the country. If it is not against your religious custom, embalming is recommended, especially if there is an extended gap between death and burial or cremation.
Why are funerals so expensive?
Funerals are labor intensive and require a lot of work from a lot of people. The cost of a funeral goes beyond merchandise such as caskets, it includes the services of a funeral director in making the necessary arrangements, filling out forms, and dealing with all the other people involved in the death (doctors, lawyers, insurance companies). Funeral directors work an average of 40 hours per funeral. The cost of operating a funeral home is factored into the cost as well. Funeral homes are a 24 hour operation, with extensive facilities that need to be maintained and secured.
How much does a funeral cost? This is a very difficult question to answer without more input from the family. The cost of the funeral varies depending on the wishes you have. Funeral costs vary greatly depending on the services and merchandise selected. The cost includes all professional services including transportation, embalming and other preparations, the use of a facility for the ceremony, and the purchase of a casket or urn.. Funeral expenses are broken down into 5 different sections: Funeral Home Services, Casket, Outer Burial Receptacle, Additional Services and Merchandise and Cash Advances.
What is a Cash Advance? Cash advances are charges the funeral home pays to third parties on behalf of the family. Examples of these are cemetery or crematory charges, newspaper charges, clergy and church fees, motorcycle escorts and certified copies of death certificates. The funeral home must charge only the exact amount paid to the third party and no more.
What is an Additional Service and Merchandise charge? These are charges for incidental items the family may choose. Examples would be printed materials, register book, memorial cards, flowers, cross or crucifix, video or DVD, or keepsake items.
Is embalming required by law? No. A funeral director must receive permission from the next of kin before embalming. Normally a funeral home can require embalming for specific funeral services including, a service with a viewing or if the burial or cremation of the deceased is going to be delayed. The charge for the embalming must be clearly stated on the funeral home general price list.
How many copies of the death certificate do I need? Every estate differs in the number of death certificates needed. The funeral director will help you determine how many copies you may need. In Monroe County, a funeral home can obtain certified copies of death certificates up to 6 months from the date of death.
Can I prepay my funeral expenses? Yes. For more information on prepaid funeral accounts, please refer to the preneed section of our website.
What is a direct cremation? Direct cremation does not mean that a person is taken directly from the place of death to the crematory. It simply means that there are no funeral or memorial services for the deceased. A direct cremation involves the transfer of the deceased from the place of death to the funeral home, an arrangement conference with the next of kin to obtain the necessary authorizations and information. The funeral director will take care of filing all necessary documents with vital records, and obtain a cremation permit. The deceased is transported by a licensed funeral director to the crematory and the cremated remains are returned to the funeral home. The cremated remains will then be returned to the family.
Does a family need to provide clothing for the deceased if there is no viewing? Although it is not required, we ask families to supply clothing as we feel it is more dignified to have the person dressed in their own clothing even if there is no viewing. We believe this to be the case whether the final disposition is burial or cremation.
Is a casket placed directly in the grave? Sometimes. There is no law in New York State requiring an outer burial receptacle. However, many cemeteries require at least a grave liner. The reason for this is for cemetery maintenance, to keep the ground level as the grave settles. Either a grave liner or a burial vault will satisfy the cemetery requirements.
What do I do if I am not satisfied with the way a funeral was handled?
Funeral Services in the United States is regulated by the Federal Trade Commission, they can be reached by telephone at 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357) or you can fill out a form online at www.ftc.gov. In Canada, funeral services are regulated provincially and this information can be found on the Canadian Consumer Information website at www.consumerinformation.ca
Find Us:
