Frequent Questions

The funeral director's job is to assist the bereaved in various ways to help them through the loss of a loved one. A funeral director provides bereavement and consolation services for the living, in addition to making arrangements for the cremation, burial, and memorial services for the deceased. He fulfills the role of funeral arranger, funeral director, funeral attendant, and embalmer.

The following list is not all-inclusive, but describes some of the major tasks of a funeral director: 

•     Removal and transfer of the deceased from the place of death to the funeral home
•     Professional care of the deceased, including embalming, casketing, and cosmetology
•     Consulting with family to make arrangements for the funeral service
•     Filing certificates, permits, and other required forms
•     Obtaining copies of the death certificate
•     Arrangements with the cemetery, crematory, or other places of final disposition
•     Creates and publishes the obituary
•     Arrangements for clergy, music, flowers, transportation, pallbearers, and special fraternal or military services
•     Directs and manages the funeral service and the funeral procession
•     Assists the family with death-related claims, including Social Security, VA insurance, grief counseling

A traditional funeral involves a number of services which add to the total cost. Besides a non-declinable basic services fee, other charges may include removal/transfer of the body to the funeral home; embalming; other preparation of the body; use of facilities and staff for viewing; use of facilities and staff for the funeral ceremony; use of a hearse, service car, or van; a basic memorial printed package; metal casket, a vault or grave liner, and purchase of a cemetery plot.

A funeral or memorial service provides an opportunity for the living to show respect for the deceased and pay tribute to their life. It provides a framework to freely and openly express our beliefs, feelings, and thoughts about the death of our loved one. It gives us permission to grieve our loss, share in solidarity, and gain strength from others who are experiencing the same loss.

The four main types of funeral services include the traditional funeral service, the memorial service, the committal service, and the affirmation or celebration of life service.

Yes, cremation or burial is merely the disposition of the body. Funeral services are to honor and remember your loved one, regardless of disposition.

Pre-arranging funeral services can be done regardless of the final disposition. Pre-arranging is simply recording your wishes with the funeral home and prefunding if you choose to do so.

• Advance Directives - If the deceased left any written advance directives concerning the disposition of his remains and memorialization, you need to bring them with you. These instructions may be found in a will, or there may be a formally witnessed disposition directive, funeral pre-arrangements, or a pre-need contract.
• Military Discharge Papers
• Details on any cemetery property owned by the deceased or the family (grave plot, columbarium space, etc.)
• Recent photograph of the deceased and any personal effects that you wish to be included in the viewing or burial
• Specific information on the deceased: 
•     Full legal name
•     Address
•     Marital status
•     Social Security number
•     Date of birth
•     Place of birth (city and state)
•     Educational history (number of years of schooling)
•     Armed Forces service dates and serial number
•     Occupation or profession
•     Parent's names, including mother's maiden name
•     Next of kin and other survivors

We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All you need to do is call us at (618) 594-2231. If you request immediate assistance, one of our professionals will arrive within the hour. If the family wishes to spend a short time with the deceased to say goodbye, it's acceptable. Then they will come when your time is right.

Your chosen funeral director is available to provide assistance in the event of a death anywhere in the world. We recommend contacting your preferred funeral director in your hometown without delay. They will take charge of the situation and oversee the necessary arrangements for repatriating the deceased individual to their community. In some cases, they may collaborate with a local funeral director at the place of death, who will act as their representative.

Embalming serves several important purposes, including sanitizing and preserving the body, slowing down the natural decomposition process, and improving the appearance of a body that may have been affected by a traumatic incident or illness. This preservation process also extends the time available between the passing and the final arrangements, giving family members the opportunity to organize and participate in a service that provides them with the most comfort. Additionally, embalming allows loved ones the option to view the deceased if they desire to do so. This act of viewing can provide significant emotional support, especially for those who may be struggling to cope with the loss.

Certainly, there are various factors to consider when determining the necessity or appropriateness of embalming. Time constraints, the deceased's health condition, and potential legal requirements all play a role in this decision. It's important to note that embalming might be a requirement when transporting the deceased by air to another country, as local laws and regulations may need to be adhered to in such cases.

Similar to other open spaces, cemeteries are affected by rising population density, both in urban and rural areas. Cemetery plots are limited resources, and as a result, they can be in high demand, particularly in certain regions.

The term "Perpetual Care" is commonly used, but the more accurate terms are "Permanent Care" or "Endowment Care." These funds are typically collected with each interment space sale and are intended to support the ongoing maintenance of the cemetery grounds, roads, and buildings.

Absolutely, we can present you with a diverse array of personalization options, which may include tailor-made nameplates and military insignias to commemorate your loved one in a special and meaningful way.

Yes, we provide urn vaults that are specifically designed for the in-ground burial of cremated remains. These vaults offer protection and a lasting tribute for the cremated remains of your loved one.

Certainly, you are correct. Cremating multiple bodies together is not only illegal but also practically impossible in most modern cremation chambers. These chambers are typically not large enough to accommodate more than one adult, ensuring that the process is conducted individually and in accordance with legal requirements.

Yes, we offer the option for family members to be present when the body is placed into the cremation chamber, and this can be arranged for a nominal fee. Our state-of-the-art cremation facility is equipped to accommodate this request, and it's worth noting that some religious traditions incorporate this practice into their funeral customs.

No, embalming is not a mandatory requirement for burial. It is entirely your choice, and various factors may influence your decision. These factors can include whether the family has chosen a service that involves a public viewing with an open casket, the desire to enhance the appearance of the deceased for a private family viewing, transportation considerations such as air or rail travel, or the duration of time before the burial takes place. The decision is ultimately made based on your specific preferences and circumstances.

In many regions of the country, there are typically no state or local laws mandating the purchase of a container to encase the casket within the grave. However, it's important to note that numerous cemeteries have their own regulations stipulating the use of a container to prevent the ground from sinking. You can typically meet these cemetery requirements by using either a grave liner or a burial vault, both of which serve the purpose of preserving the integrity of the burial site.

Mausoleum crypts provide a clean and dry alternative for individuals who may have reservations about traditional ground burials. Additionally, in light of the increasing scarcity of available land for cemetery use, mausoleums offer an efficient solution by allowing a maximum number of entombments in a relatively compact space. This option addresses both personal preferences and the practical considerations associated with limited cemetery land.

A columbarium is a structure typically found within a mausoleum, chapel, or garden setting. It is designed with multiple small compartments known as niches, which are intended to hold urns containing the cremated remains of individuals. Columbaria provides a dignified and organized space for the respectful storage and memorialization of cremated remains.