Questions, answered.

Funerals fill an important role for those mourning the loss of a loved one. They provide support, help survivors begin the grieving process, recognize the finality of death, and show respect for the one who has died. A service can also accompany cremation to aid healing.

A funeral director handles the transport and preparation of the body, death notifications, certificate preparation, insurance and benefits coordination, obituary submission, arrangement assistance, cemetery coordination, clergy liaison, transportation, flower ordering, and grief support.

Provide vital information (birth date, birthplace, parents' names, Social Security number, etc.), contact clergy, decide on service details, notify family and friends, determine how many death-certificate copies you need, select a memorial recipient, and gather obituary information. We can guide you through each step.

Yes, if immediate assistance is requested. Alternatively, families may choose to spend some time with their loved one first; there is no rush.

Both are valid, respectful options. Burial remains the most common choice, while cremation offers added flexibility and can be lower in cost, allowing memorial services at a convenient time.

Viewing supports many cultural and religious traditions and aids the grief process by helping the bereaved recognize the reality of death. It can be appropriate for children when participation is voluntary.

Embalming sanitizes and preserves the body and extends the timeframe available for arranging personalized services and viewings.

According to the FTC, except in certain special cases, embalming is not required by law, though it may be necessary for certain arrangements, such as a public viewing.

Funeral homes operate 24 hours a day and carry significant facility costs such as viewing rooms, chapels, and vehicles. Expenses include professional services, merchandise, and administrative coordination.

No. Cremation offers flexibility: services can precede cremation, accompany it, or follow it at various locations and times.

Options include cemetery burial, retaining an urn at home, scattering on private property, or placement in a columbarium niche or scattering garden.

Ground burial of urns with a bronze memorial or monument, columbarium niches, or scattering gardens all provide a permanent focal point for remembrance.

Yes, after checking local regulations. A funeral director can help customize a scattering ceremony, whether formal or informal, public or private.

Yes. Depending on cemetery policy, cremated remains may be buried atop or beside casketed remains in a shared space.

Consult a family attorney and/or tax advisor as soon as possible. For specific questions, you can contact the IRS toll-free at 1-800-829-1040.

Possible sources include Social Security, Veterans Affairs, and state funds; life insurance policies; and local charity assistance. We can also discuss lower-cost alternatives such as cremation.