WHAT FAMILIES ASK

Funeral directors play a vital role in supporting families during the loss of a loved one. They offer guidance, comfort and professional expertise to help families navigate this difficult time. In addition to arranging cremation, burial and memorial services, funeral directors provide bereavement support and assist with many practical details. They serve as arrangers, directors, attendants and, when needed, embalmers.

While this list is not exhaustive, it highlights the key services a funeral director provides:

Removal and transfer of the deceased from the place of death to the funeral home.

Professional care of the deceased, including embalming, casketing and cosmetology.

Consulting with families to plan funeral services according to their wishes.

Handling certificates, permits and other required paperwork.

Obtaining official copies of the death certificate.

Coordinating with cemeteries, crematories or other final resting places.

Creating and publishing the obituary.

Arranging clergy, music, flowers, transportation, pallbearers and special services, including fraternal or military honors.

Directing and managing the funeral service and procession.

Assisting the family with death-related claims, including Social Security, VA benefits and grief support.

A funeral director’s guidance ensures every detail is handled with care, allowing families to focus on remembering and honoring their loved one.

A traditional funeral involves a number of services which add to the total cost. Besides a non-declinable basic services fee, other charges may include removal/transfer of the body to the funeral home; embalming; other preparation of the body; use of facilities and staff for viewing; use of facilities and staff for the funeral ceremony; use of a hearse, service car, or van; a basic memorial printed package; metal casket, a vault or grave liner, and purchase of a cemetery plot.

A funeral or memorial service offers a meaningful way to honor and pay tribute to the life of a loved one. It provides a space for family and friends to openly express their feelings, beliefs and thoughts about the loss. Funerals also give us permission to grieve, share our sorrow with others and find comfort and strength in the support of those who are experiencing the same loss.

The main types of funeral services include:

Traditional Funeral Service – A structured service, often including a viewing or visitation, followed by a ceremony and burial or cremation.

Memorial Service – A service held without the remains present, focusing on remembering and honoring the life of the deceased.

Committal Service – A brief ceremony at the graveside or place of final rest, often following a funeral or memorial service.

Affirmation or Celebration of Life Service – A personalized gathering that highlights the joys, passions and qualities of your loved one’s life.

Each type of service provides a meaningful way to honor and remember your loved one, allowing families to choose what feels best.

Yes, cremation or burial is merely the disposition of the remains. Funeral services are to honor and remember your loved one, regardless of whether you choose casketed burial or cremation.

Yes. You can prearrange funeral services no matter what type of disposition you choose. Preplanning simply means documenting your wishes with the funeral home and/or cemetery — and, if you wish, arranging payment in advance to provide peace of mind for yourself and your family.

When meeting with the funeral director, having the following information and documents ready can help the process go smoothly:

Advance Directives – Any written instructions regarding the disposition of remains or memorialization. These may be in a will, a formally witnessed directive, funeral prearrangements or a preneed contract.

Military Discharge Papers – If the deceased served in the Armed Forces.

Cemetery Property Details – Information about any grave plots, columbarium spaces or other cemetery property owned by the deceased or family.

Photograph and Personal Items – A recent photo of the deceased and any personal effects you would like included in the viewing or burial.

Specific Information About the Deceased:

Full legal name.

Address.

Marital status.

Social Security number.

Date and place of birth (city and state).

Educational history (years of schooling).

Armed Forces service dates and serial number.

Occupation or profession.

Parents’ names, including mother’s maiden name.

Next of kin and other survivors.

Bringing this information ahead of time helps ensure that all arrangements can be handled accurately and respectfully, giving your family one less thing to worry about during a difficult time.