Questions and Answers

What do funeral directors do?

Funeral directors are caregivers and administrators. They make the arrangements for transportation of the body, complete all necessary paperwork, and implement the choices made by the family regarding the funeral and final disposition of the body. Funeral directors are listeners, advisers and supporters. They have experience assisting the bereaved in coping with death. Funeral directors are trained to answer questions about grief, recognize when a person is having difficulty coping, and recommend sources of professional help. Funeral directors also link survivors with support groups at the funeral home or in the community.

Why have a public viewing?

Viewing is part of many cultural and ethnic traditions. Many grief specialists believe that viewing aids the grief process by helping the bereaved recognize the reality of death. Viewing is encouraged for children, as long as the process is explained and the activity voluntary.

Is cremation a substitute for a funeral?

No, cremation is an alternative to earth burial or entombment for the body’s final disposition and often follows a traditional funeral service. Cremation can take place either before or after the funeral ceremony

If a loved one dies out of state , can the local Funeral Home still help?

Yes, they can assist you with out-of-state arrangements, either to transfer the remains to another state or from another state.

So, I’ve decided on cremation. Can I still have a funeral or a viewing?

Yes, quite often some sort of viewing precedes the actual cremation. Your Funeral Home can assist you with the necessary information for a funeral with a cremation following or a memorial service.

What exactly is the cremation process?

Cremation is a process during which human remains are reduced to their original elements by the application of intense heat. The body must be enclosed in some type of container when delivered to the crematory, typically a casket or cremation container.

The choice of cremation containers may depend on your choice of funeral or memorial services, final disposition and memorialization. Unlike the traditional funeral with burial, there is no standard procedure or expectation. Your decisions should reflect your family’s preferences, traditions and religious beliefs.

Following the cremation process, the cremated remains are placed in a second container for final disposition. For this purpose an urn is often provided.

Can a funeral home provide cremation services?

A funeral home has facilities to conduct a private or public gathering and ceremonies such as funeral or memorial services. The role of the funeral director is to offer options, listen to the family’s preferences, and then carry out those wishes. Additionally, not all funeral homes have the onsite cremation facilities available and will need to transport the deceased to an outside facility.