What purpose does a funeral serve?
Most importantly, funerals are among the best means to help survivors begin the grief process and realize much deeper emotional healing and strength. It is the customary way to recognize death and its finality. Finally, it is a valuable means to honor the life of a family’s loved one.
What do funeral directors do?
Funeral directors are caregivers and administrators. They make the arrangements for transportation of the body, complete all necessary paperwork and assist with and implement the choices made by the family regarding the funeral and final disposition of the body. Funeral directors are sensitive professionals who are known to be compassionate listeners, advisors and supporters. They have experience assisting the bereaved in coping with death. Funeral directors are professionals who answer questions about grief, recognize when a person may be 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.
Do you have to have a funeral director to bury the dead?
In most states, family members may bury their own dead although regulations vary. However, most people find it very trying to be solely responsible for arranging all the many and complex details and legal matters surrounding a death.
Why have public viewings
Many grief specialists state 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 first and the activity is voluntary. Viewing is a part of many cultural and ethnic traditions.
What is the purpose of embalming?
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. Embalming sanitizes and preserves the body, retards the decomposition process, and enhances the appearance of a person's body, even for those who have been disfigured by traumatic death or illness.
Does a body have to be embalmed, according to law?
No. However, most states require embalming when death was caused by a reportable contagious disease, when remains are to be transported from one state to another by common carrier, when there is a public viewing of the body or if final disposition is not to be made within a prescribed number of hours.
Isn't burial space becoming scarce?
While it is true some metropolitan areas have limited available cemetery space, in most areas of the country, there is enough space set aside for the next 50 years without creating new cemeteries. In addition, land available for new cemeteries is more than adequate, especially with the increase in entombment and multi-level grave burial.
Is cremation a substitute for a funeral?
No, cremation is another means of preparing a body for earth burial or entombment or other disposition and often follows a traditional funeral service. There are many service choices available for a family who chooses cremation.
What should I do if the death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend?
Our funeral directors are available 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week.
Will someone come right away?
If you request immediate assistance, yes. Sometimes the family wishes to spend a short time with the deceased to say goodbye. We will come when the time is right for you.
If a loved one dies out of state, can a local funeral home still help?
Yes, we can assist you with out-of-state arrangements, either to transfer the remains to another state or from another state.
So, I've decided on cremation. Could I have a funeral or a viewing?
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. Cremation does not limit one’s service options.