A Funeral is for the Living

  It provides the setting and opportunity to celebrate a life that has been lived.

  When a loved one dies, it is always a difficult time. Emotions run high. We may feel anger, confusion, sadness, or may even feel emotionally numb.

  It is often difficult to know what to say, how to begin to deal with your loss, or how to say good-bye.

  The funeral service is a way to bring caring people together—to lend support and to help each other through this difficult time. Helping family and friends work through some of these difficulties is what a funeral service provides. Nothing can fill the emptiness when a loved one is gone, but the healing begins sooner with the support of our friends.

  Whenever we lose someone close to us, we feel grief. Grief can be very painful. It can be consuming. A funeral allows mourners to express their grief and to share it with each other. It stimulates conversation about the deceased, which is an important first step toward accepting the death. Without this opportunity, many people experience much more difficulty with resolving their grief.

  The reality of death needs to be accepted not only on an intellectual basis, but on an emotional level as well. This is the foundation for funerals that are preceded by an open-casket visitation.

  Research has shown that this process has a marked effect on the grieving process and helps the healing begin.

The Funeral Director

  A death burdens the family with grief, and immediately disrupts their lives. In addition, there are literally hundreds of details that must be considered in order to plan a proper funeral. Thinking through all of these details and coordinating the service are tasks that become very difficult in a time of crisis. Fortunately, the professional funeral director is able to help families deal with these aspects of a loved one's death. The funeral director serves as an advisor, an administrator, a supporter, and a caregiver.

  When a funeral director receives a call that a person has died, he immediately begins taking care of the details. He takes responsibility for the body of the deceased, and gathers the necessary information needed for the death certificate and to comply with legal requirements.

  The funeral director meets with the family to discuss their wishes, assure compliance with the law, and arrange the observance of the customs that they desire. He makes his staff and facilities available for the family's use and offers advice about the many options that are available.

  The funeral director helps select the time and place of the service selected. He or she coordinates the details of the service and may arrange for the clergy or other participants in the ceremony.

  The funeral director offers a wide selection of caskets that will reflect the wishes of the family and may help memorialize the life that has been lived. The funeral director can also make cemetery arrangements and even help with a memorial stone or appropriate marker.

On the Day of the Funeral ...

  Attending to a number of ceremonial and administrative details, the funeral director is responsible for logistical matters, such as transportation. Before and after the funeral, the funeral director aids the family in completing any necessary paperwork, including obituary notices, claim forms for Social Security, and veteran's and insurance benefits.

  At a time when the emotional impact of a death makes it difficult for the survivors to concentrate on the details of so many legal forms, the funeral director's expertise is greatly appreciated by grieving families.

  Today’s funeral director is also trained to answer questions about coping with death. He or sheoften recognizes when a person is having difficulty accepting their loss, and can recommend sources of professional counseling for those who may need it.

  Outside the funeral home, many funeral directors take an active role as caregivers. They may be involved with nursing facilities, hospices, and with self-help groups. Funeral directors are generally very active in the community and give countless hours of service for the betterment of their friends and neighbors.

  As a professional member of the community, most funeral directors attend continuing education classes and seminars. They devote a great deal of time to ensure they can provide the best care and service possible. As with any other profession, funeral service is changing, and your funeral director works hard to keep up with these changes.

  Funeral costs are determined by many factors, most of which are controlled by the selections of the family. Basic costs to the funeral home owner—mortgage or rent, taxes, maintenance, staff salaries, supplies, administrative costs, merchandise—are reflected in today's funeral price.

  The family has many options for services and merchandise that can provide nearly any level of funeral service they desire. Prices of caskets and vaults vary with their material and quality of construction. Many choices are offered in several price ranges, and the funeral professional is dedicated to respecting the family's wishes and helping them make an informed decision.

  There are virtually unlimited choices available, and each family has the opportunity to select whatever they believe is appropriate for them.

  Whatever their choices, the funeral director will provide the same quality, caring service and attention to their needs and to the details of their service.

Responding to Changes

  Changes take place in any business, and funeral service is no exception. Today, your funeral director finds himself answering many questions about what options are available.

  Many families have expressed a desire to make their funeral arrangements in advance. This allows them to discuss their wishes with their family and to make important choices at a time that is much less stressful.

  Your funeral director will be glad to discuss any aspect of funeral service with you at any time. Your comments and questions are always invited and encouraged.

Advance Funeral Planning

  Now that you know all that is involved in making funeral arrangements, why not consider planning in advance? There are many benefits for you and your family — here are just a few:

• Express your own wishes so there is no doubt or conflict among your surviving family.
• You can choose to fund your funeral through a variety of ways, relieving your family of financial responsibility.
• Planning in advance allows a family to focus on the memories of your life rather than the details of your death.

More and more families are taking advantage of the financial and emotional benefits of advance funeral planning (prearrangement). Ask your funeral director for information today. You’ll be glad you did!