FAQ’s

Since death and funerals are not topics we easily discuss, suddenly having to deal with these issues can be difficult, if not frightening. Learning some simple facts can ease fears and clear up myths and misinformation. We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions about funerals so that you can have the information you need to feel more comfortable with the funeral experience.

My loved one just passed away. What do I do?

First, death must be officially pronounced by someone with the authority to do so. If death occurred in your home, unattended by medical personnel, an official such as the sheriff or county coroner must be called to your home to officially pronounce death. If your loved one was terminally ill and under hospice care, the hospice nurse is usually authorized to make the official pronouncement. When death occurs in a hospital, the doctor will pronounce death.

Once death is officially pronounced you must contact the funeral home to arrange for removal of the deceased body.

How soon should I contact the funeral home?

You can call the funeral home as soon as the official pronouncement of death has been made. Most funeral directors are available 24 hours a day, so there is no need to wait for regular business hours. Your conversation with the funeral director will include arranging for removal of the body, as well as, setting an appointment for the family to come into the funeral home to make arrangements.

Who is responsible for making funeral arrangements?

Oftentimes, next of kin, immediate family members and sometimes, close friends, wish to participate in planning the funeral of their loved one. While their input is usually taken into consideration, the official responsibility falls on the person with the legal authority to sign the authorization for the funeral service. This person may be the Executor of the will, or a designated next of kin. It is important to understand that signing the authorization for the funeral service means accepting the financial responsibility for the funeral.

I heard that embalming is required by law. Is this true?

Embalming is not a legal requirement and can only be performed with the permission of the family. The funeral director will usually ask for that permission during the first phone call.

The purpose of embalming is to disinfect and preserve the body. Disinfection helps protect the public from possible exposure to viral and bacterial infection. Preservation allows for extending the time the funeral services can be scheduled. In this way relatives living at a distance can more easily attend, or the deceased can be transported to a distant location via air or ground, for final disposition.

Embalming is also essential for achieving a natural appearance of the deceased. This is helpful in achieving a positive psychological impact on family and friends viewing their loved one for the last time.

If I chose cremation does this mean I won’t be able to have a funeral?

Most funeral homes offer a wide variety of funeral options, combined with cremation, designed to meet your personal preferences, financial and religious considerations. For example, funeral services can occur before or after cremation has taken place. Families can opt for a full service with casketed viewing prior to cremation or memorial service with or without the presence of the urn containing the cremated remains. Its just a matter of talking to your Funeral Director to make your wishes known.

Does the Funeral Director also handle the arrangements for the cemetery?

In most cases you will be required to make separate arrangements with the cemetery where final disposition will take place. Once the arrangements are made, the Funeral Director will coordinate with the cemetery to conduct the burial or entombment. The same holds true for the burial of a cremation urn in a cemetery plot, columbarium niche or urn garden.

We have moved and our family plot is in another state. What do we do?

It is common that people wish to be returned to their home towns and interred at their home town cemetery or entombed in the family crypt. Most funeral homes are experienced with making these type of arrangements.

In addition to planning the local funeral, you will have to select a funeral home or mortuary in your home town to receive the deceased and complete the burial arrangements. Once you have made this selection, your local funeral director will make arrangements for transporting the deceased after the local funeral, and will contact the receiving funeral home to coordinate the details and confirm that the family’s instructions and wishes are carried out.

How much does a funeral cost?

The cost of a funeral will be determined by you and your family as you make your selections from three basic areas: professional service fees, casket/urn cost and disbursements. The funeral director should present you with a General Price List. You will notice that some costs are basic to every funeral. However, you will also be presented with a wide range of funeral services and additional items from which to choose. Use the price list to guide your selections and prevent your emotions from taking over. It’s important that you stay in line with the family or estate budget.

Doesn’t Social Security pay for my funeral costs?

Social Security pays a one-time, lump sum death benefit in the amount of $255, to the surviving spouse or a dependent child.

How many death certificates will I need and where do I get them?

A death certificate is a legal document required to conclude the business of your loved one. If the deceased had a will, trust, checking or savings accounts not held jointly (1 for each account), certificates of deposit not held jointly, safety deposit box, stocks or bonds (1 for each corporation), insurance policies (1 for each company), credit cards and transfer of real and personal property not held jointly you will have to present a certified copy to those entities responsible for settling these accounts.

You will also need copies to file for union benefits, Social Security benefits, Veteran’s benefits and Welfare benefits. In most cases, photocopies will not be accepted.

The cost of certified copies varies from state to state but range from approximately $5.00 to $10.00 per certified copy. Your funeral director will be responsible for ordering these copies at the time of funeral arrangement and can usually have them for you within 10 to 15 working days.

It is wise to order a few additional copies to meet any unexpected contingencies, such as discovering an insurance policy or bank account that no one knew about. Ordering certified copies a month or two after the funeral can sometimes result in delays of up to six weeks.

My mother pre-planned her funeral and it was the best gift she could have ever given us. I want to do the same for my children. What do I do?

The idea of prearranging you or your loved one’s funeral may seem strange at first, but when you think about it, it isn’t any different from financial planning, estate planning or preparing your will. In fact, as you will discover, funeral prearrangement is an important part of your total financial planning picture. It is also easier to make better financial decisions when your mind is clear and not burdened with grief.

Pre-arranging your funeral is as simple as calling your local funeral director. Just remember that you want to work with someone who is sensitive to your needs and experienced in drawing up the appropriate paper work.

When in you come in for your appointment it will be helpful if you have the following information on hand: name, address, date of birth, education level, veterans status,
Social Security number, occupation, parents name, with mother’s maiden name, etc. This information will be used to complete important forms.

The rest of the process will be the same as if you were doing it “at need.” You will make your selection of services and additional items. Any special requests or instructions will also be noted.

The funeral director will present you with the option of purchasing a pre-need funeral policy. This has the advantage of locking in the final price, regardless of how many more years your live. Considering that funeral costs go up about 6 to 8% per year, this ability to price freeze has some great financial advantages.

Even if you decide not to purchase a policy, your funeral director will keep your plans on file, to be used as guide to help your family make difficult decisions when the time comes.