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FAQ's
Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about funeral, cremation and cemetery services are provided below.
Questions:
Answers:
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I've never planned a funeral before. What things should I consider in choosing a provider?
It is important to choose a provider whose staff is helpful, knowledgeable, experienced and professional -- one that can provide the information, guidance and options that best meet your family’s emotional, spiritual, cultural and economic needs.
Aren't funeral service providers all the same? What makes Dignity Memorial® providers different?
Service, quality, and value can vary widely among funeral providers. Dignity Memorial is a network of more than 1,000 funeral, cremation and cemetery providers who offer services, merchandise and valuable benefits that no one outside our unique network can match. Plus Dignity Memorial providers offer a 100 percent service guarantee.
What's the difference between preplanning and prearranging a service?
Preplanning is the process of selecting the merchandise and services and placing them on file at a funeral home, thereby alleviating some of the emotional strain for survivors. Prearranging involves payment for the selections to help reduce the financial burden for the family, and guarantees that the costs are protected against inflation.
If I prearrange my funeral service now, what happens if I decide to move?
Prearranged funeral services made with a Dignity Memorial funeral provider are fully transferable and will be honored by any of the funeral providers in the Dignity Memorial network. If you move more than 75 miles from your original place of residence, your prearranged plan moves with you. If there is no Dignity Memorial provider in your new location, we will attempt to find another provider to honor the guaranteed price. [If a firm other than a Dignity Memorial funeral home is used, a transfer arrangement is usually available. However, there is no guarantee that those firms will honor all costs as laid out on the prearranged contract.]
Can a funeral be personalized?
Yes. Whether the ceremony is elaborate or simple, today’s funerals are often individualized to reflect the life lived. Personalization can be achieved by incorporating music, family photos, mementos, accomplishments, passions, hobbies or activities that characterized their unique qualities.
Can we still have a funeral service if cremation is chosen?
Absolutely. No matter what type of disposition you choose – burial or cremation – a funeral or memorial services is a celebration of the life that has been lived. It offers family and friends the opportunity to pay tribute to their loved one as well as an opportunity to grieve in a supportive environment.
Does a service have to be performed by a minister? What if I don't have one?
There is no requirement that a funeral service must be performed by a clergy member. If desired, your Dignity Memorial provider can locate a clergy member from the denomination of your choice to perform the service. The funeral home will arrange a meeting between the clergy and the deceased’s family before the service in order to tailor the service to the family’s wishes.
Is embalming always required?
No. While embalming may be required by a specific state’s law in certain circumstances, in general, it is not always required. Your funeral home may require embalming if you select certain funeral arrangements, such as a funeral with viewing. Additionally, embalming is not allowed by certain religions and cultures.
Should there be an open casket?
While it is entirely your choice, viewing the body can help bring closure to friends and family, allowing them to accept the death. Having an open casket may make the grieving process easier. Some people feel that children, in particular, benefit from viewing the deceased. If the person suffered before death, it is also advisable to view the body so one’s memory of that person in their discomfort can be replaced by the memory of the deceased in peace.
When the casket is open, how should the deceased be presented?
Since this is the last time family and friends will see their loved one, the viewing should leave fond memories. Appearance should be as natural as possible. For example, if the individual wore glasses, leave their glasses on. Jewelry is appropriate, as are any other items that were meaningful. Clothing should be respectful and dignified. Because visitation is frequently held during evening hours, it is recommended that the family have a private visitation earlier that day. At that time, the family has an opportunity to see their loved one before other friends and family members.
Can funeral services be held anywhere?
The most common sites for holding funerals are churches or chapels in the funeral home. Another option is to hold the entire ceremony at a graveside or at another outdoor venue of significance. Occasionally, funeral services are held at a family residence.
What is the importance of visitation?
Visitation is a critical step in the healing process. By establishing visitation hours and inviting friends and family to your home after the funeral service, it often gives people the chance to exchange stories about the deceased, reinforcing how much that person meant in everyone’s life.
What factors should be considered in selecting the day and time of the funeral?
Some religious practices and customs require that the decedent be buried within 24 hours. Otherwise, it is customary to allow enough time for out-of-town guests to make travel arrangements to attend the service. (See Bereavement Travel.)Family and friends should also have enough time to read the obituary and arrange for time off from work. While some people may want to get through the service as quickly as possible, saying good-bye is an important part of accepting loss and letting go.
