Funeral Services

Commonly asked questions:

What do funeral directors do?

The funeral director's duties may include booking the cemetery, arranging for death notices in the newspapers and arranging flowers. The director usually obtains a coroner's certificate, registers the death and obtains the death certificate, which is not the same as a coroner's certificate. He or she may also assist with any legal details. He or she also arranges for the removal of bodies from private homes, hospitals, and sometimes accident scenes. It is also the duty of the funeral director to give advice as to funeral arrangements and to preserve and protect bodies for viewing prior to burial or cremation as directed by their local, state and federal Health and Funeral Service Boards. For more information on funeral directing and educational requirements for this meaningful profession, call your local funeral home or log on to the National Funeral Directors Association web site at www.nfda.org.

Is embalming necessary?

The main reason for embalming is the protection of the public health. Human remains begin to decompose almost immediately, and the body becomes an ideal environment for microbial growth. Untreated remains pose a public health concern. Embalming also retards the decomposition and preserves the body. An embalmed body will retain a somewhat lifelike appearance for a period of time. This practice allows friends and family to travel from great distances to attend the funeral service. It also permits the body to be buried at a place other than the place of death. Embalming restores the body to an acceptable appearance for viewing after a tragic accident or prolonged illness. While embalming is not required by law, it is necessary if there is public viewing, if the body is to be transported between states, or if the final disposition is delayed. A licensed embalmer, in a manner specified by their local, state and federal Health and Funeral Service Boards, performs embalming. For more information on funeral service and educational requirements for this meaningful profession, call your local funeral home or log on to the National Funeral Directors Association web site at www.nfda.org.

Why choose to have an open vs. a closed casket?

Visitation helps bring about closure and serves as an important part of the healing process. There are several reasons why the custom of visitation is so important. Viewing the body of the deceased makes those who survive more aware of the reality of death. That is often the reason why so much time and money is spent on the recovery of a missing body. Seeing is believing and it often marks the beginning of the grieving process. Proper preparation and restoration will often remove the marked effects of a long illness or a sudden violent death, allowing family and friends to recall an acceptable image of the deceased. Viewing the deceased is especially helpful to children who have never experienced the death of a loved one. The funeral director will arrange for specific visitation hours or they can be made by appointment.

Planning funeral services

Planning a funeral usually involves considering many things that do not readily come to mind. That is why the professional services of a mortuary are of the utmost importance. They can help ensure that all the details are taken care of. They can help arrange transportation from the place of death, even if from another state, embalming and preparation of the body, and visitation facilities. The service is highly personal, and there is no right or wrong way to have one. However, if you are at a loss as to how to begin, again, the funeral home staff may have good suggestions. They can help arrange flowers and music, notices, and death certificates, even catering for a post-service gathering. If the deceased or the family do not know the clergy of the area, a funeral director can assist with that as well. For more information about funeral planning, consult your local funeral home.

Traditional vs. Non-traditional Services

When funeral home personnel speak of a funeral versus a memorial service, they are stating that a body is present at a funeral service and that no body or only the cremated remains are present at a memorial service.

What does Traditional mean in the funeral service industry?

In technical terms, traditional means the funeral process begins with an afternoon or evening of visitation, or viewing of the deceased. The following day, a service is performed at a local church or the chapel of the funeral home. After the service a lunch may take place and then the casket is taken in procession to the cemetery for burial.

What does Non-Traditional mean in the funeral service industry?

Non-Traditional will be anything that deviates from the previously mentioned Traditional service. This can include non-religious ceremonies, memorial services or any other type of celebration.

Masonic Services

A family may choose to have rites at a funeral service that would embrace a person's membership in the Masonic lodge. The options are to have the entire funeral service accorded by the local lodge and it's worshipful master or to have a portion of the rites provided during the visitation prior to funeral service held at the church or funeral home. Sometimes, rites are provided at the cemetery as part of the committal service.

In making plans before someone's death, a member may want to indicate his desire to have a particular form of rite provided at the time of his funeral. Also, it would be helpful to have records of membership and activities in the lodge to expedite planning and presentation at the funeral time.

Casket selection

Buying a casket is no different than purchasing other merchandise. There is a wide choice of quality, style, workmanship, and colors. Most people select a casket based on appearance. Although this is important, you should also consider quality. You'll find there are caskets available to fit any budget. Caskets are rectangular in shape, and they can range from plywood covered with fabric to fine woods such as mahogany and from simple steel to more expensive caskets made of copper or bronze. Customizations of inside cover panels with photos or emblems or outside corner pieces may also be chosen to help personalize the memory of your loved one. Most funeral homes offer a selection from which the family can make a choice.