FAQS

A funeral director offers comprehensive support to grieving families after the loss of a loved one. Beyond coordinating cremation, burial, and memorial services for the deceased, they provide essential bereavement and consolation to the living. Their multifaceted role encompasses funeral arranging, directing, attending, and embalming.

Key responsibilities of a funeral director include:

• Arranging for the deceased's removal and transfer from the place of death to the funeral home.
• Providing professional care for the deceased, such as embalming, casketing, and cosmetology.
• Meeting with the family to plan the funeral service.
• Completing necessary paperwork, including certificates and permits.
• Acquiring copies of the death certificate.
• Coordinating with cemeteries, crematories, or other final disposition locations.
• Writing and publishing the obituary.
• Organizing aspects of the service like clergy, music, flowers, transportation, pallbearers, and specialized fraternal or military tributes.
• Overseeing the funeral service and procession.
• Aiding the family with death-related claims and resources, such as Social Security, VA benefits, and grief support.

• Personnel available 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, to respond to your initial request for our services
• Ceremony arrangement conference with family members or other persons responsible;
• Design and planning of the ceremony;
•  Preparation and filing of necessary authorizations;
•  Preparation and filing of the burial permit as required;
•  Preparation and filing of documents/forms to receive Social Security benefits, veterans’ benefits, insurance benefits, etc.
• Recording vital statistics, including creation and delivery of the death certificate to a physician/medical examiner/coroner for their approval and signature
• Author and submit obituary notice into all appropriate newspapers, radios or other publications.
• Coordination of ancillary services needed with the clergy, musical performers (for example organist, soloist), church, funeral police escort, food catering, hairstylist, cemetery, crematory, burial vault company, etc., as required.

Proportionate share of funeral home operating expenses including, but not limited to:

• Buildings and maintenance
• Land
• Parking Lot
• Real estate taxes
• Grounds maintenance
• Furniture and fixtures
• Equipment
• Insurance
• Utilities
• Inventory costs
• Professional licensing
• Licensed funeral director salaries and benefits
• Staff and secretarial wages and benefits
• Recordkeeping and administrative expenses

Legal and accounting fees:

• This fee for our basic services and overhead will be added to the total cost of the funeral ceremony arrangement you select. This fee is already included in our fees for immediate/direct cremations, immediate/direct burials, for-warding remains to another funeral home, or receiving remains from another funeral home.

A funeral or memorial service offers a meaningful opportunity to honor the life of a loved one and pay tribute to the impact they had. It creates a space where family and friends can openly express their emotions, reflect on cherished memories, and find comfort in the support of others. Through shared remembrance, it allows us to grieve, connect, and begin the journey toward healing.

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

Funerals usually involve the deceased's body and often lead to burial or cremation. In contrast, memorial services occur without the body and can be scheduled days, weeks, or months after the death.

No, services are not required by law. However, many families find comfort and closure through a ceremony that honors the life of their loved one.

Common options include burial (in-ground or above-ground), cremation, or donation to science. Each choice can be paired with a traditional or personalized service.

Absolutely. You can include specific music, readings, photographs, videos, personal items, and more to reflect your loved one’s life and wishes.

Embalming is necessary to embalm if there is a public viewing and embalming is not necessary to cross state lines.