Funeral Service
A funeral service marks the closing chapter of a life. When a loved one passes, grieving family members and friends are often confronted with numerous decisions about planning a funeral service. Many decisions must be made in a timely manner. What kind of funeral service should I plan? What funeral service provider should be contacted? Should I plan a burial, cremation or donate my loved one to science? What are the legal requirements? What type of estate decisions must be made? Am I able to afford a dignified funeral service for my loved one? Our staff, at Funeral & Cremation Emporium is here to guide you in making these essential decisions.
Unfortunately, you are faced with financial decisions that can be overwhelming, especially with deadlines rapidly approaching. Every family is different, and not everyone wants the same type of funeral service. Funeral Service practices are influenced by religious and cultural traditions, as well as funeral cost and personal preferences. These important factors help determine whether the funeral service will be simple or elaborate, public or private, religious or secular, and where it will be held.
Pre-planning your funeral service will relieve your family of undue stress while suffering a tremendous loss. Making arrangements when a loved one is lost is very challenging for family members to manage. An increasing number of people are planning their own funeral service, designating their personal preference, and sometimes even paying for the funeral service in advance. They see funeral service planning as an extension of will and estate planning. It is a relief to spare their loved ones from making difficult decisions during a time of enormous pressure and grief.
Listed below are some types of funeral services that may be selected:
- This type of funeral service, often referred to by providers as a “traditional” funeral service, usually includes a viewing or visitation and formal memorial gathering; such as a burial, entombment or cremation of the decedent. This type of funeral service is generally the most expensive. In addition to the funeral home’s basic services fee; costs often include embalming and dressing of the deceased, funeral home rental for the viewing and / or service, and the rental of a hearse and limousine(s) for transportation of the family and deceased. The fees of a casket, cemetery plot / crypt and other funeral service goods must also be included.
- n immediate burial funeral service is the immediate disposition of the deceased at the cemetery. Neither a viewing nor visitation will take place; therefore embalming is not a requirement. A funeral service or gathering may be held at the graveside. A direct burial funeral service is much more cost effective than a “traditional’ or full funeral service. Charges include the funeral home’s basic professional services, casket or burial container purchase, transportation and care of the decedent, and the cemetery plot / crypt fee. If the family decides to have a graveside service there would be an additional cost.
- Direct Cremation is the incineration of human remains after death has occurred. This type of funeral service is currently the most affordable. Embalming is not a requirement. The decedent’s cremated remains are placed in a cremation urn or other appropriate receptacle. A funeral service with or without the cremated remains present can be held for family and friends to reminisce and celebrate the life that was lived. This allows family and friends to begin the healing process. Following the funeral service, the cremated remains may be kept in the home, buried at a cemetery, placed in a niche, or scattered at sea or one’s favorite place. Costs include basic professional services of funeral director and staff, cremation casket or alternative container fee, transportation fee from the place of demise to the crematory and the purchase of a decorative urn or other receptacle chosen by the family. An additional fee would apply if the cremated remains are scattered at sea by a scattering service or placed at a cemetery inside of a plot, niche or scattering garden.
Comparison shopping can be done in the comfort of your own home by searching the many funeral service options on websites. In addition, many funeral homes are happy to mail you their price lists and company information at your request. As a general rule, website allows the consumer to find the most suitable funeral service at the lowest possible price. When comparing prices, be sure to consider the total cost of all items together.
For your protection, the “Funeral Rule”, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), protects consumers by allowing them to purchase funeral service items, such as caskets and other goods from a third party, without being penalized. When you begin the arrangement process, the funeral director, by law, must present you with a General Price List (GPL) of the goods and services available. With the exception of the non-declinable fee (the basic fee of the funeral director and staff, which must be accepted), you can select or omit any item on their GPL. The funeral director cannot change the prices on their GPL, charge you a fee, or offer you a different price list to penalize you if you wish to purchase funeral service goods from a third party.
The loss of a loved one is a demanding and confusing time. Planning a memorial funeral service provides a peaceful place for family and friends to gather and lend support to each other; to celebrate the life that was lived; to allow a chance to say goodbye; and to provide the focal point from which the healing process can begin. We are here to help you begin that healing process. This site is provided to aid you in honoring the life of your loved one. For more information, please complete the “contact us” information and our staff will mail you funeral service brochures. Our funeral professionals are available 24 hours daily to answer all of your questions and concerns, and to assist you in planning a dignified funeral service.
