Frequently Asked Questions

What options does someone have when a death occurs?

When death occurs; many decisions are required to be made in a fairly short amount of time. The biggest decision is what option do we choose as the final disposition of our loved one’s remains; Burial or Cremation? After this decision has been made concerning the disposition, the services and visitation can be planned, newspaper stories prepared, ministers, musicians and cemeteries notified and other components of the funeral process finalized.

Is embalming a requirement?

No; embalming is not required. Embalming or refrigeration must be accomplished within 24 hours of the time of death. Embalming is encouraged when a public gathering will take place wherein the body will be present. As soon as this process can be accomplished, the better the results will be. The embalming process allows the body to be presented to the public in a sanitary environment and allows the licensed embalmer to restore the body to be viewed in a much more life like appearance than when death occurred. If a family chooses to not have the body embalmed, funeral events should be accomplished quicker and the traditional viewing and visitation would be limited. The formal preparation of the remains gives everyone more time and a greater opportunity to pay their final respects to a loved one’s life, gives everyone more time to plan and travel if needed and presents the body in a more natural state of repose; which is part of the grieving and healing process.

What religions do you have experience with?

We have conducted services for many various religious followings to include: AME, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Hindu, Buddhist, Bahai, Orthodox, Reform and Conservative Jewish, Muslim, Non-Denominational, American Indian, Pentecostal Holiness, Anglican, Jehovah Witness, Unitarian, Mormons, other non associated followings and all branches of the Military Service.

What does a funeral cost?

Total funeral expenses are comprised of three categories of charges. The first category is Services of the Funeral Home. These charges are from the funeral home, for everything that they will do to accomplish the type of services that a family may request i.e. embalming, use of funeral hearse, visitation, funeral services, etc. The second category is Merchandise. These charges are for all of the funeral related merchandise that a family may request i.e. Casket, Burial Vault, Register Books, Urns, Clothing, etc. The third category is referred to as Cash Advanced Items. These are items outside of the funeral home’s charges; but are expenses that must be met to accomplish the type of services requested; i.e. cemetery charges, preparation of the grave, copies of the death certificate, hairdresser, minister, musicians, Limo service and newspaper notices. As a courtesy the funeral home will place the Cash Advance Items on their statement and be reimbursed by the family.

How do I obtain cemetery property?

We can assist each family with cemetery arrangements in any cemetery, whether local, out of town or a National Cemetery ; for a veteran’s burial.

Does the disposition of cremation cost less than burial?

Cremation disposition can cost less. When the disposition of cremation is chosen, most families have their loved one prepared for a traditional afternoon period of visitation at the funeral home followed by the funeral service and or Mass; normally the next day. Instead of leaving the place of service in a procession to the place of burial; the family oftentimes gathers for a meal and additional time of reflecting. After the cremation has been completed, most families gather at a convenient time, for the burial of the cremated remains. The burial of the Urn allows for permanent marking of a grave just as the permanent marking of a traditional burial site. This type of service allows families to retain traditional service values while accomplishing the desired disposition of cremation.

What is the difference in a Funeral Service and a Memorial Service?

A funeral service is a service in our chapel, your church and or graveside with the body of the deceased present. A memorial service is a formal gathering in our chapel, your church or graveside without the body of the deceased present.

How do we arrange a Memorial Service?

A memorial service can take place before or after the disposition. Many families desire some degree of traditionalism in conjunction with the disposition. The family may choose to have a private time of viewing for them selves and immediately transition into a time of receiving friends and public memorial service. They may choose a private burial with a public memorial service to follow or even at a later date. In lieu of the body being present, most families bring items to be placed in the Chapel for the visitation and memorial service; that would be reminiscent of the life that has been lived and is being memorialized. Items that can be brought and displayed include: photos, items of special interest i.e. golf clubs, fishing items, a special shirt, etc. If the memorial service is in conjunction with cremation, your family may want to gather at the cemetery to bury the Urn privately after the service, have the funeral home scatter the cremated remains at sea or retain the Urn at home.

What options do I have if I choose cremation?

The disposition of cremation can follow a traditional viewing and or visitation and formal funeral service, or cremation can follow a private viewing for the family, or cremation can be an immediate disposal; where there is no viewing and no services. Many people feel that cremation is an immediate, easy and uninvolved way of disposing of a body. Contrary to that belief, a life has been lived and should still be treated with the utmost of respect, dignity and decorum. We do not bury anyone without dressing that person and likewise will not cremate anyone without our being provided fresh clothing in which to dress their loved one. After death occurs, cremation cannot take place until the following components are in place: a mandatory 48 hour waiting period, the completion of the Death Certificate by the attending physician and/or medical examiner, the signature or signatures of each and every legal next of kin and the issuance of a cremation permit by the medical examiner’s office. After these things are accomplished the cremation is scheduled with the crematory. Normally, cremation can take place within 7-10 working days following the death.

What should I be prepared to provide when going to the funeral home to make funeral arrangements?

Making funeral arrangements can be quite involved, but also quite simple; if you are prepared and have prearrangements. If prearrangements are not in place, we will be asking questions in reference to the completion for filing the death certificate, i.e: full name of the deceased, city and state of birth, date of birth, Social Security Number, Spouse’s full name, last residence address, occupation, Veteran’s status, Father’s full name, Mother’s full name including maiden name as well as the name, address and phone of responsibility party. We will obtain information regarding the services to be held, such as: date, time and place, cemetery location, minister, music, pallbearers, newspaper and or radio information, list of any preceded family members, surviving family members and any memorials in lieu of flowers. We will need the chosen clothing for the deceased to be dressed and a photo for placement in newspapers and on our website.

Who contacts the Social Security Administration when a death occurs?

We, the funeral home, notify the SSA of every deceased person that we care for, that has a Social Security Number assigned to them. We encourage each family to further contact the SSA to verify that all needed information has been received.

Does the Social Security Administration offer a death benefit?

If the deceased person has worked and contributed the required amount (number of quarters) to the Social Security System, there is a benefit of $255.00 that is payable to a surviving spouse or dependent children.

I am a Veteran, does the VA pay for my burial?

There is currently no funeral expense coverage offered by the Veterans Administration. Honorably Discharged Veterans may qualify for certain VA benefits; depending on the circumstances of their service and discharge. All honorably discharged service personnel that served on active duty are entitled to; a U.S. Flag for the services, a government marker for the grave or niche, a burial plot in a National Cemetery, opening and closing of the grave in the National Cemetery, a concrete grave liner, to be used in the National Cemetery and the use of a sheltered area for the service in the National Cemetery. In certain cases a monetary reimbursement for specified burial expenses is in order. Some veterans qualify for $300.00 reimbursement of funeral expense and $150.00 reimbursement for cemetery expense. These amounts are not guaranteed but are dependent upon circumstances such as: death in a VA facility and level of disability. We are happy to assist with the filing for any possible reimbursement and the coordination of burial in a National Cemetery . The veteran’s DD 214 is the form required to apply for any burial benefits.

I am the wife of a Veteran, do I qualify for burial in a National Cemetery ?

You might. We would need to have a copy of your spouse’s DD 214, contact the cemetery of your choice and inquire on your behalf. Some National Cemeteries are burying spouses in double depth arrangements and when qualifications are met the first to die would be placed at the lowest level and the surviving spouse in the future would be placed above. Certain documents may be required assuring that the Veteran will be buried there in the future if the spouse dies first. This question is a very good reason to set forward your wishes and plans before the time of need. The veteran’s DD 214 form is required to apply for, non veteran, spousal benefits.

Where is the closest National Cemetery ?

Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell , Florida is presently the closest National Cemetery accepting new burials. Jacksonville National Cemetery , to be located on the north side of Jacksonville is slated to be opening in the near future. Arlington National Cemetery in Washington , DC remains a very viable option for many veterans. The veteran’s DD 214 form is required to apply for burial in a National Cemetery .

Can I use my Life Insurance to pay for funeral expenses?

Many families choose to allow their life insurance policies to pay all of their funeral expenses. The funeral home will complete all necessary paperwork to facilitate the insurance company paying the funeral bill. The insurance companies will only issue payment after the Death Certificates have been released and a copy provided to them. They will only pay the funeral home the amount that is authorized and will send the remaining proceeds to the named beneficiary.

Is prearranging a good idea?

Yes;pre arranged funeral planning makes good sense because it reduces a great amount of stress, from the family, due to the large number of decisions that have to be made, whenever death occurs. Pre arranging can be addressed from two different viewpoints. One is funded or pre paid, the other is non funded. Each method allows us to gather information needed for the completion of the death certificate, funeral service desires, burial or cremation information, newspaper information, casket, burial vault, urn, number of certified death certificates needed and any Military or Fraternal group’s involvement. All plans can be pre paid at today’s prices, which freezes the funeral home’s portion of the charges; or can be left to be paid at the current price at the time of death. All funds paid for pre arrangements are placed in an insurance policy where they remain on deposit until the death occurs.

Can my prepaid arrangements be transferred, if I move?

Yes. Your prepaid arrangements are securely place in an insurance policy. This policy can be honored by another funeral home. If you should move from our area, you should contact the funeral home where you relocate, present your policy to them and inquire if they will honor it as it is written? If your new funeral home agrees to honor your policy they will initiate a beneficiary change which will allow them to request the funds on deposit at the time of death.

What payment options do you offer for funerals?

Funeral services are due and payable at the time they are rendered. Most families pay by personal check and or credit card when the funeral arrangements are made and may receive reimbursement from the estate when the estate settles. Many families use life insurance policies to pay for funeral expenses. We have insurance licensed staff that will make the necessary phone calls and gather the needed signatures for filing on the family’s behalf. When life insurance is assigned and used, we will await payment from the life insurance company. If someone has prearranged and prepaid their funeral, the prearrangements will pay for the contracted items. The only additional charge would be for any additional items that may be added at the time of death.

If you should have additional questions or
need information pertaining to specific needs, please email us.