Frequently Asked Questions

Is embalming required?
No, a common misconception exists that embalming is required by law. Some regions and cultures prohibit the practice of embalming and bury the body within 24 hours. However, embalming may be required by law in some special cases. Also, funeral homes may require embalming if you select certain funeral arrangements, such as a funeral with viewing.

Should there be an open casket?
Viewing the body brings closure to friends and family, allowing them to accept the death. When people walk up to the casket and view the body, for some people that is the moment they finally realize this person has died. This helps during the grieving process. Children in particular benefit from viewing the deceased, because their imaginations make the appearance of the body worse than it really is. It is also advisable to view the body if the person suffered before death, so one's memory of the person suffering is replaced by the memory of the deceased
in peace.

What is the importance of visitation?
Visitation is a critical step toward the healing process. By establishing visitation hours and inviting friends and family to your home and 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.

Can the services be personalized?
Absolutely, we make every effort to customize the service precisely to one's individual desires. There are many ways to have a service unique to the deceased rather than a standard service. A family member or close friend could deliver a personal eulogy, the music selection could include a favorite song, personal items, pictures and video tributes can be prominently displayed at the funeral home.

Does cremation preclude a funeral service?
Not at all. The cremation is simply delayed until the funeral service has taken place. Or if cremation is requested immediately, a memorial service can be held 
without the body present.

Do caskets fully protect the body?
There are two types of caskets; hardwood and metal. A hardwood casket is not completely impenetrable. Although metal caskets use rubber gaskets to create a stronger bond between the metal surfaces they are also not airtight. However, the vault, which is the outer container made of concrete or metal, plays a vital role in maintaining the sanctity of the body 
by protecting the casket.

Should we bring young children to the
Funeral Home?
Children experience grief just as adults do. However, it is important to remember that children deal with death differently at different ages and their reactions are not always obvious or immediate.  Some children mature faster that others. The level of a child's emotional development should be taken into consideration by an adult before talking to a child about death or bringing them into the Funeral Home. From our perspective no restrictions are placed on the family. The final decision to bring young children to the Funeral Home is always theirs to make and will depend on the child and the circumstances. Nevertheless we can assist those adults willing to talk openly to their child or children about the death of a loved one. There is some wonderful resource materials available for both children and adults relating to the death of a parent, grandparent, or special relative or friend that we can provide or recommend. Some of these include coloring books for children depicting the various stages of a funeral and brochures for adults on answering a child's questions about death. A child needs adults  to confirm that it's all right to be sad and to cry; that the hurt they feel now won't last forever. 

Can you be an Organ Donor and still have
a traditional funeral with viewing?
Organ donation does not mean a closed casket. Regardless of the extent of the medical procedure to facilitate organ removal the techniques employed by licensed embalmers ensure the integrity of the deceased's appearance will not be compromised. The only impact, albeit minor, the decision to be an organ donor might have would be in the timing of the release of the remains to the funeral home. This, of course, would depend on the complexity of the organ retrieval procedures and the length of time it would take for the medical team to respond. Notwithstanding these factors, the delay in the preparation of the deceased for viewing should not exceed 24 hours.

Can I preplan the funeral of a parent who may be ill or is reluctant to do so themselves?
It is not uncommon for persons terminally ill or incapacitated to have their funeral preplanned by a third party, such as, a next-of-kin, executor, legal representative or friend with or in many cases, without their knowledge. In a case where the subject of preplanning arrangements  is in poor health and is unable to sign any documentation, then the third party should clearly identify to the Funeral Director his or her relationship to the subject and his or her authority to make such arrangements. Although not a requirement, the choice to prepay these funeral services would also be available to a third party.