Funeral
A
funeral marks the closing to the final chapter
of our lives, and the lives of our loved ones. When
a loved one dies, grieving family members and friends
often are confronted with dozens of decisions about
the
funeral. Decisions must be made quickly
and often under great emotional duress. What kind of
funeral should it be? What
funeral
provider should I contact? Should I bury, cremate or
donate my loved one to science? What are my legal requirements?
What type of arrangements and estate decisions must
be made? Am I able to afford dignified services for
my loved one? Our staff, at
Funeral & Cremation
Emporium is here to help you with these essential decisions.
Unfortunately, it is at this moment that family members
will be faced with financial decisions that can be overwhelming,
especially with rapidly approaching deadlines. Every
family is different, and not everyone wants the same
type of
funeral.
Funeral practices
are influenced by religious and cultural traditions,
as well as costs and personal preferences. These factors
help determine whether the
funeral will be
elaborate or simple, public or private, religious or
secular, and where it will be held.
Listed below are some types of funeral
services that may be selected:
- The type of funeral, often referred
to by providers as a “traditional” funeral,
usually includes a viewing or visitation and
formal service; such as a
burial, entombment
or cremation of
the deceased. This type of ceremony is generally
the most expensive a family will incur. In addition
to the funeral home's basic professional
services fee; costs often include embalming
and dressing of the decedent, rental of the
funeral home for the viewing and /
or service, and the rental of a hearse and limousine(s)
for transportation of the deceased and their
family. The fees of a casket,
cemetery plot or crypt and other funeral
goods must also be included.
- A direct burial funeral service
is immediate disposition of the decedent at
the cemetery. Neither a viewing nor visitation
takes place; therefore embalming is not necessary.
A memorial service or gathering may be held
at the graveside. Direct burial usually costs
substantially less than a "traditional" or full
service funeral. Costs include the
funeral home's basic professional services,
purchase of a casket or burial container, transportation
and care of the deceased, and the cemetery plot
or crypt fee. If the family opts to have a graveside
service there would be an additional cost.
- Direct Cremation is the incineration of
human remains shortly after death has occurred.
This type of funeral service is currently
the most cost effective. Embalming is not a
requirement. The decedent's cremated remains
are placed in an urn or other appropriate receptacle.
A memorial service with or without the cremated
remains present may be held in remembrance of
your loved one at a church or funeral
chapel. This allows family and friends to gather
in celebration of their loved one's life. The
cremated remains may be kept in the home, buried
at a cemetery, placed in a crypt, niche, or
scattered at sea / one's favorite place. Costs
include basic professional services of funeral
director and staff, alternative container or
cremation casket
fee, transportation fee from the place of demise
to the crematory and the purchase of an urn
or other receptacle selected 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.
Pre-planning your
funeral will help relieve
your family of undue pressure while suffering a tremendous
loss. Dealing with the loss of a loved one is very strenuous
for family members to manage. An increasing number of
people are planning their own funerals, designating
their preferences, and sometimes even paying for them
in advance. They see
funeral planning as an extension of will and estate
planning. One is relieved to be sparing their loved
ones from making difficult decisions during a time of
pressure and strong emotion.
For your protection, the "Funeral Rule", enforced by
the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), protects consumers
by allowing them to purchase
funeral items,
such as caskets and other goods from a source other
than a funeral home, without being penalized in any
way. When you begin the arrangement process, the
funeral director, by law, must give you a General
Price List (GPL) of the goods and services they provide.
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 list, charge you a fee, or offer
you a different price list to penalize you if you wish
to purchase
funeral goods elsewhere.
You should not limit your search to just one particular
funeral home because you may risk paying more
than necessary for the service. You may be also narrowing
your choice and options of goods and services that may
be available. Comparison shopping need not be difficult,
especially if it's done in the comfort of your own home
by searching
funeral websites or the use of
a telephone. The "Funeral Rule" requires directors to
provide pricing information from the site or over the
phone to anyone who inquires. In addition, many
funeral homes are happy to mail you their price
lists and company information at your request. When
comparing prices, be sure to consider the total cost
of all items together.
The
funeral and the ceremony that accompanies
it are very important. For those who are left behind,
a
funeral provides a place for family and friends
to gather for support and to reminisce; an opportunity
to celebrate the life and accomplishments of a loved
one; a chance to say goodbye; and the focal point from
which the healing process can begin. We are here to
help you begin that healing process. For more information,
please
complete the contact
information and our staff will mail you
funeral
brochures. Our staff is available 24 hours daily to
answer all of you questions and concerns, so please
don't hesitate to contact us at any hour.
