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The Funeral Rule enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, requires funeral directors to give you itemized prices in person and, if you ask, over the phone. The Rule also requires funeral directors to give you other information about their goods and services. For example, if you ask about funeral arrangements in person, the funeral home must give you a written price list to keep that shows the goods and services the home offers. If you want to buy a casket or outer burial container, the funeral provider must show you descriptions of the available selections and the prices before actually showing you the caskets.

There are two ways to pay for prepaid funeral services. First, you may purchase an insurance policy that includes prepaid funeral arrangements, in which case the money will be paid to the insurance company. The other option is to purchase prepaid funeral arrangements directly from funeral home. When you give the money to the funeral home, they must then deposit the money into a trust account (held by a financial institution such as a bank or trust company), where it will earn interest until the contract is fulfilled or cancelled. It is important to note that if you purchase an insurance policy with funeral service coverage, you will still need to make arrangements with a funeral home. Continue reading →

The body is buried shortly after death, usually in a simple casket. No viewing or visitation is involved, so no embalming is necessary. A memorial service may be held at the graveside or later. Direct burial usually costs less than the “traditional,” full-service funeral. Costs include the funeral home’s basic services fee, as well as transportation and care of the body, the purchase of a casket and a cemetery plot or crypt. If the family chooses to be at the cemetery for the burial, the funeral home often charges an additional fee for a graveside service. Continue reading →

Funeral directors are there to help. They are listeners and counselors, tribute planners and crisis managers. Through discussions with you, based on information you share about your wishes and details about your loved one, they are able to offer guidance and help you coordinate a very personal tribute. The funeral director can guide you through planning the service; completing paperwork; and coordinate doctors, ministers, florists, newspapers and other vendors. They can also link you to support groups. Continue reading →

No. However, the Social Security Administration will pay for a portion of the funeral expenses. A lump sum is paid to the spouse or dependent children of the deceased. If a veteran’s death is service-connected, then the government will pay a substantially larger portion, in addition to transportation of the body. Continue reading →

Notifying family and friends of a loved one’s death can be a daunting task. Close family members and friends should be notified in a personal manner such as a telephone call. Don’t be afraid to reach asko the first few people that you notify to help you inform other family members and friends.

Once the imitate family and close friends have been notified, you can notify others through e-mail. This may be easier than trying to get in touch with everyone by phone. It also will save you from re-telling the story over and over. If you are the closest relative to the deceased, it”s okay for you to delegate this task to another family member or friend. Continue reading →

Children should be told of a death in the family. State it as simply as possible. Give brief explanations and honest answers to your child’s questions. Don’t hide death from children by telling them lies to make the subject easier. However, a child doesn’t need to know all the details. The important thing is to be honest when you answer the questions they ask.

Children tend to have short attention spans. Along with this, there is also a limit to what information they can handle. Use language that the child will understand when explaining death to them. Don’t be afraid to use words like dead or death. Continue reading →

This is a highly personal decision, so only you can decide which is the best Funeral Home for your needs. We suggest beginning by contacting Funeral Directors in your area and visiting the Funeral Homes. Tour the facilities, speak with the Funeral Director and staff, and get a copy of their price list and services offered. This will at least give you a “feel” for the Funeral Home and a starting point to help make your decision.

Some people want sleek, modern facilities, others want more traditional surroundings. For some, cost is a factor, and others want to plan the services to the smallest detail. You need to discuss your ideas with the Funeral Directors you meet with and figure out what fit is best for you.
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By making arrangements in advance, you were able to express your own wishes and relieve this emotional burden from your family. By funding your funeral in advance, you also relieved the financial burden from your family. Usually, these arrangements can be reestablished with another funeral home and nearly all funding vehicles are transferable by the owner. Continue reading →

Your first step would be to contact your Funeral Director. Laws vary from state to state (some do not allow pets to be interred in human cemeteries, some do and some have no laws regarding it at all) and locally. Your Funeral Director will be able to guide you regarding the state and local laws, and then you will need to find an appropriate cemetery.

Some cemeteries also have prohibitions on pet burial, so make sure to check with your cemetery of choice. The best idea is to go ahead and do your research and homework and plan ahead for future burial plans.

Make sure your plans and the documentation are in an easily accessible location so that your next of kin know your wishes to have your pet buried with you.
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There are many instances where a certified death certificate is going to be required. These include: financial Information; checking, savings, trust or money market accounts; annuities; Certificates of Deposit; IRAs; mortgage/personal loans; mutual funds; pension funds; and stocks and bonds. Since most banks differ in their policies, it is suggested that an individual contact his/her financial institution for its requirements. Continue reading →

Allow yourself the time that you need to grieve the loss of a loved one. The grieving process is different for everyone; it may take you longer or shorter to grieve your loss than it would someone else. Do not rush yourself and do not feel that you should be over this loss. Sensitive times bring on sensitive feelings. Continue reading →

Immediately after the funeral, the family sometimes invites the attendees to join them for food or a reception at their home or designated place. This gives everyone a chance to talk and provides some time to relax and refresh. Sometimes friends or church members will take it upon themselves to prepare food ahead of time for this gathering, and relieve the family of this task. Continue reading →

Planning ahead will relieve family members of the stress of making some of the decisions. It also allows you to choose your funeral preference, and pay in advance if desired. It allows you to choose the specific items you want and need, and compare the prices offered by several funeral home providers. Continue reading →

Yes. Regardless of an organ removal, the techniques used by embalmers ensure that the deceased’s appearance will not be compromised. When an organ is removed, the body is stitched up afterward in the same way a live person is stitched up after any type of surgery. The body is clothed for the funeral, so the stitches are covered. Continue reading →

The “Five Stages of Grief” refer to the psychological model originally developed by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. It describes the normal grieving stages people go through when coping with a loss. Some people go through all five, some do not, though everyone experiences at least two, and they may not be in any specific order. Many people with terminal illness also go through the Five Stages of Grief.

The first stage is “Denial” – this is the stage when people find the loss unbelievable – it can’t be happening to them. It is a difficult time for those who have experienced a loss – or are facing their own mortality.

The second stage is “Anger” – this stage’s hallmark is outrage and aggression – “Why me?” and “It’s not fair!” are a common thread. It is understandable to be angry at the unfairness of a loss, and it is perfectly normal.

Stage Three is the “Bargaining” Stage – this is where the person bargains for things – often more time. Terminal patients often go through this stage – they appeal to a higher power and bargain to live long enough to witness something – i.e. “Please let me live to see my daughter get married.”

“Depression” is the fourth Stage – a period where the individual feels hopeless and uninterested in things – “why bother with anything?” often describes how a person in this stage is feeling.

The fifth Stage is “Acceptance” – where the grieving person finally comes to terms with their loss.

The Stages may last varying lengths of time – every individual goes through the stages at their own pace – sometimes days or years. Grief is a very personal journey and dealing with loss can be very difficult to cope with. Continue reading →