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Frequently Asked Questions What do funeral directors do? Funeral Directors are caregivers and administrators. We make the arrangements for transportation of a deceased person, complete all necessary paperwork and to implement the choices made by families regarding the funeral and final resting-place of a loved one. Funeral Directors are listeners, advisors and supporters. We have experience assisting the bereaved when a death occurs. We are trained to answer questions about grief, recognize when a person is having difficulty coping, and recommend sources of professional help. Funeral Directors also aid survivors in finding support groups within their community. What purpose does a funeral serve? It is the customary way to recognize death. Funerals are recognized rituals for the living to show respect for the dead and help survivors begin the grief process. Why have a public viewing? Visiting hours or wake are part of many cultural and ethnic traditions. Many grief specialists believe that viewing aids the grief process by helping the bereaved recognize the reality of death. Viewing is encouraged for children, as long as the process is explained and the activity voluntary. Does embalming have to take place by law? No. Most states, however, require embalming when death was caused by a reportable contagious disease or when remains are to be transported from one state to another by common carrier or if final disposition is not to be made within a prescribed number of hours. Is cremation a substitute for funerals? No, cremation is an alternative to earth burial or entombment for the body's final disposition and often follows a traditional funeral service. In fact, according to FTC figures for 1987, direct cremation occurred in only 3% of deaths. So, I've decided on cremation. Can I still have a funeral or a viewing? Yes, quite often some sort of viewing precedes the actual cremation. We can assist you with the necessary information for a funeral with cremation following or a memorial service. What should I do if the death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend? Most funeral directors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If a loved one dies out of state, will our local funeral home still be able to help me? Yes, we can assist with out-of-state arrangements making sure your loved one returns home in the most dignified manner possible. In most all incidents of death it should only take one phone call, we will do the rest. Note: For the best advice we can give to these questions or any other questions you may have, please call us. BACK / HOME / TOP Obituaries / Directions / About Us / FAQ / Pre-Planning / Veterans / Social Security / Resources