Funeral Service Trends
Funeral Service Trends
The needs and expectations of our families are changing and we’ve responded with funeral service options tailored to these new expectations.
Two generations ago, traditional funerals (visitation, funeral service and service at the cemetery) were common. It was what everyone expected.
But, as the demand for cremation services increased, there has been a shift in the types of services available. Many more families are choosing cremation and holding a memorial service afterwards. Family members and friends still came together to pay their respects to the deceased and find emotional support but they did so in less formal ways.
Today, another funeral service option, the celebration of life service, has become quite popular because there are no limits to the how, where, and when the life of a loved one can be celebrated.
Thinking About Your Funeral Service Options
The arrangements you make will be influenced by the lifestyle of your deceased family member: the time of year, your budget, and the number of people in attendance. But you don’t have to think about it all on your own; we’re here to help. That’s what we do—it’s our passion to help families celebrate the life of their loved one. Just reach out to us and let us know what you’d like, and we’ll tell you how we can assist you.
Let’s Talk
We invite you to learn how helpful we can be—just pick up the phone and call us.
Burial Services FAQs:
What does it cost to bury a person in a cemetery?
The initial cost is the purchase cost of the “right to use” the burial plot (it is not like the real estate purchase, wherein you purchase the land and structure on it; here you will just buy the interment rights to the burial land). Additionally, there are fees related to the opening and closing of the graveside and the fees needed for gaining the necessary permits and maintaining cemetery records and files. Moreover, there is the cost for the grave marker or the headstone installation and the one-time price for “perpetual care” (at times referred to as “endowment care”). It is the fee to ensure the burial site of your loved one is well maintained. Apart from this, there are costs for any other items or services.
Does my loved one have to be embalmed prior to burial?
It is one of the frequently asked questions. A lot of funeral homes recommend embalming, especially if you are looking forward to visitation or viewing. It is advisable as funeral homes want the attendees experience to be good. Proper embalming will ensure that the deceased looks good during their last event. However, embalming is not a compulsion or legally needed, if the body is required to care for a small duration. If you want to know about local and state needs, please get in touch with us!
How much will a casket cost?
As per the Federal Trade Commission, the average casket cost is around $2,000. If you are worried about the cost of the casket, discuss it with your funeral director. The funeral director will recommend the most suitable casket based on your budget and situation.
What is a burial vault, and why do I need to buy one?
Modern-day cemetery grounds are groomed well with vast expanses of green grass. Such a pristine view is guarded through the burial vault. On top of that, it ensures there are no indications of burial plots “settling”. The main role of the burial vault is to protect the beauty of the cemetery environment. However, the vault also helps to protect the casket.
What’s involved in a cemetery burial?
If your loved one has not pre-planned their burial, and it is upon you to select the location of their interment, the foremost thing you need to do is choose the burial and cemetery location within the grounds. After selecting the location, choose a suitable burial vault and casket. Make sure you provide us with the clothes you would like your loved one to wear and any special item you would like to keep in the casket. Once the payment is made, the time and date of the interment are decided. During this time, the cemetery grounds keepers will handle the “opening” and “closing” of the grave. The keeper will take care that casket is placed well in the burial vault.
Do I have to buy a headstone or grave marker?
Initially, the cemetery will place a temporary identification marker over the grave of your loved one. However, it will be just a temporary placeholder, until permanent grave marker or headstone installed. If you do not have a grave marker or headstone with time, there are chances that a temporary marker fades, and it will become illegal. The burial site of your loved one will be unmarked.
Where do I purchase a headstone or grave marker?
We, and the cemetery wherein your loved one will be interred, have a powerful working relationship with reliable monument companies. Once you have decided to order a bronze grave marker or granite headstone, we will get together to work on selection, production, and placement. For more details, get in touch with your funeral director.
What is “direct burial”?
When direct burial arrangements are concerned, we will accelerate the interment of the individual. For this, there is no funeral, celebration-of-life, or memorial service. Rather than this, we offer the physical care of the deceased. It comprises dressing and casketing. After this, the casket is escorted to the cemetery for instant burial.
Is direct burial right for our situation?
It is very tough to answer this before speaking with you. Direct burial is suitable if you’re loved one wanted simple interment or if there are only a few mourners. It is carried out professionally and quickly, without any ceremony. Now that you know about direct burial, do you think it is the right option for you? Speak with our funeral expert to explore the idea of direct burial further.
What services do you provide when I choose direct burial?
Your funeral director will do the needed death certificate and gain signatures over the authorizations or permits. The director will assist you in selecting a cemetery, burial vault, and casket. He or she will take physical care of the deceased, dressed in clothes you provide, casketed, and then escorted to the cemetery for instant burial. The funeral director will witness the burial and give you copies of all relatable paper for safekeeping.
What is a graveside service?
Instead of arranging the service in the funeral home chapel or church, and then going to the cemetery for the burial, a few families prefer solely gathering at the cemetery. At the cemetery, a ceremony is organized by the celebrant or clergy person, and witnessed through the in-ground committal of the casket of the loved one. If you like the idea of a graveside service, discuss it with your funeral director to know about the options.
What “extra” fees or charges will I need to pay?
A few things you discuss with your funeral director comprise purchases made through the outside vendors. You will be asked to make the payment of these items at the time of the arrangement conference. A common fee charged is for the newspaper to print the obituary of your loved one. Another thing you will have to pay for is the musician or clergy fees, reception necessities, floral arrangements, food or beverage, facility rental, etc. Your funeral director will provide you with a detailed invoice of all the cash advance items.
When do I pay for a funeral service?
The answer to this question is dependent on the products, services, and cemetery you have selected. However, the good rule of thumb is to expect to make the payment at the time the service contract is signed (at the time of the arrangement conference or soon after that). To learn more about this, speak with your funeral director.
Who will write my loved one’s obituary?
We are tempted to answer this by asking another question: Who would you like to write your loved one’s obituary? Perhaps you might be thinking of doing it by yourself or you might like your family member or a friend to do so, or you might give this task to your funeral director. The funeral director is well experienced in writing an obituary and would be happy to do the task for you. Do not hesitate to ask the director to craft a suitable obituary.
