QA

Frequently Asked Questions
About Funeral Service

Q: What is the purpose of a funeral?
A: Funerals fill an important role for those morning the loss of a loved one. By
providing surviving family members and friends a caring, supportive
environment in which to share thoughts and feelings about the death, funerals
are the first step in the healing process.
The ritual of attending a funeral service provides many benefits including:
•        Providing a social support system for the bereaved.
•        Helping the bereaved understand death is final and that death is part of
     life.
•        Integrating the bereaved back into the community.
•        Easing the transition to a new life after the death of a loved one.
•        Providing a safe haven for embracing and expressing pain.
•        Reaffirming one’s relationship with the person who died.
•        Providing a time to say good-bye.
It is possible to have a full funeral service even for those choosing cremation.
The importance of the ritual is in providing a social gathering to help the
bereaved begin the healing process.

Q: I've never arranged a funeral before. What do I need to know?
A: At some time in our lives, most of us will make or assist in making funeral
arrangements. This will not be an easy time, but the National Funeral
Directors Association (NFDA) offers these tips for smart planning.
1.        Be an informed consumer. Don't be reluctant to ask questions.
2.        Today's funeral director offers a variety of options to meet your financial
needs and wishes. Families should discuss all options with their funeral
director when making arrangements.
3.        When selecting a funeral director, choose one who is licensed and has
a good reputation in the community. Give thought to this decision as you
would when choosing a doctor, attorney or other professional.
4.        Be prepared! Avoid the burden of making decision while under
emotional stress by organizing details with your funeral director ahead of time.
Remember ... preplanning doesn't necessarily mean prepaying.
5.        Plan a personal and meaningful ceremony or service to help you begin
the healing process. Getting through grief is never easy but having a
meaningful funeral will help.
6.        Contact a licensed funeral director or NFDA for more information on
making meaningful arrangements.

Q: Is it possible to plan a funeral in advance?
A: We recommend that everyone preplan his or her own funeral. Doing so can
offer emotional and financial security for both you and your family. By
preplanning a funeral you will get the kind of service you want and your family
will be unburdened from making decisions at a stressful time. Preplanning
doesn’t necessarily mean prepaying. If you are considering preplanning your
funeral, please visit the Preneed section of this website or contact us for more
information.

Q: Can I still have a funeral service if I choose cremation?
A: Yes. Cremation opens the doors to a number of different funeral options.
From traditional services to contemporary celebrations, cremation gives you
the flexibility to personalize the services for yourself or a loved one. To learn
more about cremation, please visit the Cremation section of this website or
contact us for more information.