Frequently Asked Questions
It is common to have questions about the cremation process. This section answers some commonly asked questions to help make this process easier for you. If additional questions arise, please feel free to contact our office directly.
What is a Life Celebration?
A service, life celebration, or gathering is a ceremony for a deceased person, prior to or after a burial or cremation. A service of any type gives the opportunity for family and friends of the deceased to gather and mourn the death of their loved one, to share cherished memories, and to celebrate their life. A service of any type, is a vital first step in helping the bereaved heal after the loss of someone special.
What type of service should I have?
If no pre-arrangements have been made, the type of service is entirely up to you. Although we think about what the deceased may have wanted, it is just as important to consider what the survivors need to help them move forward from this place of intense grief. Services can be held at a home, park, lodge, or place of worship. There are a wealth of different types of services, ranging from traditional religious or military services, to something more unique. Our staff are more than happy to work with you to determine what would be the most appropriate for your family.
Can I personalize the service?
Of course you can! In fact, more and more people are opting for non-traditional, personalized services. There is no one way to celebrate somebody’s life. Let our staff know exactly what your desires are, and they will help you honor your loved one that is most meaningful to your family.
Do we need to have an obituary notice and what is included in one?
It is not necessary at all. If you would like an obituary, the locations for its publication are varied. You don't have to have an obituary at all, you may want something short, you may want something that tells a bit about your loved one, or you may want one that is more biographical. Whatever you would like, we are willing to assist you with writing, editing, or placing an obituary. To publish it, you can choose a printed newspaper, TV, radio, and our website (depending on the area in which you live, you may not have all of these options). An obituary lets the public know that a death has occurred, provides them with information about a service, and, more importantly, is a type of SOS that tells those who care about you that a death has occurred and you are emotionally hurting. Obituaries generally include the deceased’s full name, age, city, and date of birth, as well as the city they were living in when they died. It also includes the name of the deceased’s survivors ;and the names of anyone else significant in their lives, such as parents, children, or grandchildren.
Our staff.....what do they do?
Our staff walk with youN through that first couple of weeks following a death. They will make sure all of the necessary paperwork is completed, arrange for transportation and cremation of your loved one, and facilitate the choices made by the family regarding service plans, producing requested printed materials, completing other paperwork, filing death certificates, and organizing transportation of the deceased to their final resting place. Beyond all of this, our staff are here to provide emotional support and personal guidance in the wake of a loss.
What happens if the death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend?
We are here to help, and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.
What if a death occurs away from my home town?
Notification of our office is all that is required so we can arrange to have your loved one taken into our care. You will need to contact our office immediately when the death occurs so we can begin to make necessary arrangements.
