Frequent Questions

The wonderful thing about cremation is that memorialization is whatever you want it to be. You might choose an in-ground burial of the urn with only family present. Or you may choose a Cremation Niche in a columbarium as your final resting place with a public graveside service. One of the benefits of cremation is that you can choose to have a memorial service that is Traditional with your casket present for the visitation and service or you may choose to be memorialized in a planting ceremony the following spring with your ashes placed in the root system of a tree of your choosing at a location you love. How you choose to be remembered, where you choose your final resting place, is not determined by the fact that you chose cremation, it can be as traditional or as unique as you are.

Your options are endless for what you choose to do with cremated remains. They can be buried in a traditional or non-traditional service in a cemetery plot, retained by a family member in an urn or multiply keepsake items, scattered on private or public property at a place that was significant to the deceased. It is recommended to check for local regulations regarding scattering in a public place and to obtain approval of the owner for a private location.

There are many other different types of memorial options from which to choose as well. From fireworks to tree roots, and everywhere in-between, where the skies meet and the seas part, the type of memorial and final disposition you choose is your personal decision.

If you wish to have your ashes scattered somewhere, it is important to discuss your wishes to be scattered ahead of time with the person or persons who will actually manage the scattering ceremony. If you pre-plan these events with your funeral professional they will be able to assist your family with the coordination of your scattering ceremony. The services can be as formal or informal as you like. Scattering services can also be public or private. It is advisable to check for local regulations regarding scattering if the location is in a public place. State, County, and City regulations may apply to public property, however, private property is typically up to the discretion of the owner and their approval would also be required.

Yes — Depending upon the cemetery’s policy. Each cemetery has its own regulations surrounding burials on its property. However, most cemeteries do allow cremains within a non-biodegradable urn to be buried on top of the casketed remains of your spouse. Some cemeteries allow family members to utilize the space next to him/her. Many cemeteries also allow for two or more cremated remains within approved urns to be buried within a single grave space. We recommend you contact your desired cemetery to explore its specific rules, regulations, requirements, and fees.

When compared to other major life events like births and weddings, funerals are not comparatively expensive. A wedding can cost as much as three times more than a funeral. However, because it is a happy event, wedding costs are rarely criticized or scrutinized as much as a funeral cost. Most families do not realize, until they need to make that call, that a funeral home is a 24-hour, labor-intensive business, with extensive facilities (viewing rooms, chapels, hearses, etc.), and a continuously on-call staff ready to serve our families any time of day. These expenses are factored into the overall cost of a funeral.

The cost of a funeral includes not only the funeral home facilities and merchandise, such as caskets, but the time associated with the services provided by a licensed funeral director in making arrangements: filing appropriate forms; dealing with doctors, ministers, florists, newspapers, and others; and seeing to all the necessary details prior to, the day or days of, and post services.

A common misconception is that the funeral home cost is the only expected expense. Families often don’t take into account the vendor services required to implement a funeral that is outside the services provided by the funeral home. Our staff assists each family with the coordination of the services listed above, but each of these outside services are also associated with additional costs, i.e., printed obituaries, flowers, clergy, organist, soloist, choir, church staff, luncheons, cemeteries, headstones, etc. Each have their own fees associated with their services. Collectively it is an investment, but with each life event, like a wedding or birth, the reflection of that memory should be of the event that happened in life.

And as with most life events, there is typically a financial component associated with how we choose to honor that person with the selections we include within the coordination of that event.

Don’t let uncertainty about income tax issues add to the stress experienced by the death of your spouse. Meet with your family attorney and/or tax advisor as soon as possible to review your particular tax and estate circumstances. Bring a detailed list of your questions to the meeting. If you do not have an attorney or tax advisor, call the IRS toll-free at 800-829-1040 for answers to specific tax questions. It is not uncommon to have questions. Let experts guide you through your uncertainty. It may be the first time you are experiencing this situation, but it is not their first time. Remember, they are there to help you in this time of need.

Yes, there are a number of options available, including:

• Determine if the deceased person qualifies for any entitlements. Check with the Social Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and your State Fund. Many people are entitled to get financial assistance with their funeral costs from these agencies if they qualify.
• Review all insurance policies the deceased person has, including life insurance. Some life insurance policies have coverage clauses for funeral-related costs.
• Find local charities providing financial help for funeral expenses. Search for non-profit organizations and for churches in your area.
• Talk to your Funeral Director about local burial and cremation options – these may be less expensive depending on your choices.