First is the purchase price of the 'right to use' the burial plot (unlike a real estate purchase, where you buy the land and all the structures on it; here you are only purchasing what is called the 'interment rights' to the land). In addition, there are 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, there is the fee for the use of any special equipment (such as a casket-lowering device); as well as the costs for any other services or items purchased. There is also 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.
Great question! Many funeral homes suggest (and may even go so far as to require) embalming if you are planning a viewing or visitation. That is because they want the experience to be as good as it can be for those in attendance, and proper embalming can ensure the deceased looks as good as possible. But 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 to confirm the specific requirements for the cemetery in question.
Caskets start at less than $500 and go up from there. We would be happy to provide you with a current price list of all available caskets. We would also be happy to have you tour our casket showroom to survey what is available.
A burial vault is usually a concrete structure that protects the casket and ensures that there is no "settling" of the plot over time. A burial vault will ensure that the plot will always look pristine.
Assuming pre-arrangements have not been made, decisions will be made about the purchase of an appropriate cemetery plot, a casket, possibly a burial vault and the date for the interment. The family will provide clothing they would like their loved one to wear. Grounds keepers will then take care of 'opening' and 'closing' of the grave.
Purchase of a headstone or marker is optional but it is rare not to arrange the purchase of a permanent memorial.
We can provide you with contact information for trusted monument companies in our area. They can help you choose a stone or bronze monument that is appropriate for your situation and arrange installation.
"Direct burial" excludes any type of service or celebration of life events. The deceased will be dressed, casketed and possibly embalmed before proceeding directly to the cemetery for interment.
Direct burial is appropriate if it was a stipulated wish of the deceased. Otherwise, it is often helpful to discuss the value of having a visitation, service or celebration of life event with a funeral director before making a final decision on direct burial.
Your funeral director will complete and file the death certificate, obtain signatures on any required permits or authorizations, help you select a cemetery in which to inter your loved one, as well as a casket and burial vault. He or she will oversee the physical care of the deceased: they will be dressed in clothes you have provided (or purchased from us), casketed, and then escorted to the cemetery for immediate burial. This same individual will witness the burial and provide you with copies of all pertinent papers for safekeeping.
A graveside service would happen at the same time as interment and is typically led by clergy or a celebrant. It would replace a service that might have been held at a church or other location.
Your funeral director will help you to arrange for things like a newspaper obituary, flowers, catering, honorariums to clergy and musicians, facility rental etc. These expenses are itemized at cost on your funeral home invoice.
Your chosen detailed arrangements will be documented in a contract that you will sign when you meet with a funeral director. Payment arrangements will be confirmed during this meeting. Typically our funeral home would expect payment of the contract within 30 days from the date of death.
Often the writing of an obituary is done by the family with as much assistance from a funeral director as is felt to be helpful. Funeral directors are skilled in helping families to draft exactly what they feel would be appropriate.
Your funeral director will help you to navigate this decision. Often one or more memorial donation choices will be selected and the public can complete a memorial donation at the funeral home or online. Some may still desire to send flowers as their way of expressing their condolences to the family.