FAQ: Burial Services

The first purchase you will have to make is the "right to use" the burial plot (unlike a real estate purchase, where you buy the land along with all structures on it; in this situation you are only purchasing what is called the "interment rights" to the land). There are also fees for the "opening" and "closing" of the gravesite; and any fees required to obtain the necessary permits and to maintain cemetery files and records. In addition to the charges mentioned, there's also the fee for the use of any special equipment (such as a device to lower the casket); as well as the costs for any other services or items purchased. One of the most important purchasing associated with a burial is the headstone or grave marker installation fee, and a one-time "perpetual care" (sometimes called "endowment care") fee paid to ensure your loved one's burial site is well-maintained.

This is a very common question. Many funeral homes highly suggest (and may even require) embalming if you're planning a viewing or visitation. That's because they want the experience to be as good as it can be for the people in attendance, and proper embalming can ensure the deceased looks as much like themselves as possible. However, as a general rule, embalming is not necessary or legally required if the body is cared for in a relatively short amount of time. Please contact us for specific state or local requirements.

The Federal Trade Commission states that average casket costs around $2,000. If you are concerned about casket costs, speak with your funeral director who can advise you on the most appropriate casket for your situation and your budget. We are proud to offer a wide range of caskets and can assist you with finding an appropriate one for your situation.

Today, cemetery grounds are well-groomed, with vast expanses of green grass. A burial vault protects this pristine view, ensuring there is no sign of burial plots "settling". Not only that, but the vault also protects the casket. The primary role of a burial vault is to protect the beauty of the cemetery environment.

If your loved one has not made previous arrangements for their burial, leaving you to pick the location of their interment, the first thing you'll need to do involves the selection of the cemetery and burial location within the grounds. You'll also choose the most suitable casket and burial vault, and provide us with the clothing you'd like your loved one to wear (along with any 'special items' you'd like us to place in the casket) . Once payment is made, the date and time of interment is agreed upon. At that time, the cemetery grounds keepers will take care of the "opening" and "closing" of the grave and the proper placement of the casket in the burial vault.

The cemetery will put what's know as a temporary identification marker on your loved one's grave, however, it is only intended as a placeholder until a permanent headstone or grave marker is set in place. Without one, your loved one's burial site will appear unmarked when the temporary marker becomes illegible or is somehow removed.

We, and the cemetery where your loved one will be interred, have strong working relationships with trusted monument companies in our area. When you are ready to order a headstone or grave marker, we will come together to orchestrate its selection, manufacture and placement. Speak with your funeral director to get any questions answered.

When we make arrangements for the direct burial of an individual, we are essentially expediting their interment. This means there will be no funeral, memorial service or celebration-of-life; instead, we provide the physical care of the deceased (certainly dressing and casketing) and then escort the casket to the cemetery for immediate burial.

It's difficult to know what's right for your situation without having the opportunity to speak with you. Direct burial works well when there are few mourners or if your loved one's wishes were for a simple interment. It's done quickly and professionally, without ceremony of any kind. With all of that said, does direct burial feel like the right decision for you and your loved one? Speak with a funeral professional to further explore the idea and get any of your questions answered.

Your funeral director will complete and file the death certificate, obtain signatures on any required permits or authorizations, will help you select a cemetery in which to inter your loved one, as well as a casket and burial vault. One of our experienced and knowledgable funeral directors will oversee the physical care of the deceased: they will be dressed in clothes you've provided, casketed, and then escorted to the cemetery for immediate burial. This same individual will witness the burial and provide you with copies of all necessary papers for safekeeping.

Some families choose to have a service in a church or funeral home chapel, and then gather to the cemetery for the burial; some families choose to gather solely at the cemetery. There, they are led through a ceremony prepared by a member of a clergy or celebrant and witness the in-ground committal of their loved one's casket. If the idea of a graveside service appeals to you, speak with your funeral director about your options.

Some of the things you'll discuss with your funeral director involve purchases made from outside vendors, and you will be asked to pay for those items at the time of the arrangement conference. One of the most common is the fee charged by a newspaper to print your loved one's obituary. Another cash advance charge could be for clergy or musician's fees, floral arrangements, reception necessities, such as food/beverage or facility rental. Your funeral director will provide you with a detailed invoice for all cash advance items.

This largely depends upon the services, products and cemetery you've selected; but a good rule of thumb is to expect to pay at the time the service contract is signed (at the time of the arrangement conference, or soon afterwards). Speak with your funeral director to learn more.

You can ask yourself a simple question to get started with this; who would you like to write it? Perhaps you'd like to ask a friend or family member to do so; maybe you're thinking it's something you would like to do yourself. Perhaps you'd rather give the responsibility to your funeral director. He or she is experienced in obituary writing, and would be delighted to relieve you of the task; so don't hesitate to ask them to craft a suitable obituary.

For this question, it's important to assess your heart's desire: what do you really want? Then there's the question of your deceased loved one's wishes; exactly what would he or she think or feel? Usually we advise families to offer their community as many caring options as possible; some will send flowers, some will send donations; and some will even do both.