Frequently Asked Questions

The Basic Service Fee is the only non-declinable fee that funeral homes are allowed to charge customers as compensation for the time and paperwork involved in the planning and scheduling the funeral or other requested services. This fee also covers their overhead such as rent, parking, upkeep of the facilities, and more. The items included can vary from funeral home to funeral home so please ask for an outline of what is included from each establishment you speak with.

A direct burial is when the deceased is buried without a visitation. However, a short private viewing can be arranged prior to the burial if requested. At the grave site, a brief service may also be conducted followed by a gathering or memorial service (though not necessary) immediately after the burial or at a future date. This type of service does not need embalming.

Direct cremation is when a person is cremated without a visitation and usually without a church service. There may be a brief service at the crematorium or a memorial service after the cremation.

A visitation is the hours which are set aside for the family to receive visitors at the funeral home who wish to pay their respects. The casket may be opened or closed.

The term “Traditional Funeral” is a funeral director’s term referring to a service that will include a visitation, possibly a viewing, and a church service, if applicable, followed by a procession to the cemetery for burial. The funeral procession usually consists of a hearse, a limousine, and a car for the flower wreaths. This is the most expensive funeral families can choose. However, please note families should pick the services they want; they should not be made to feel pressured to have an extravagant funeral.

Embalming is the preservation of the body through the use of embalming fluid.

No. Embalming is not required by law. However, if you are having a lengthy funeral visitation or a time lapse between the death and the funeral (especially in case the body is going out of state or out of the country), it may make the appearance of the deceased more natural or in case.

The large selection of caskets is due to the wide variety of personal preference. Price variance occurs due to the difference in the cost of the materials used for the casket – wood and metal grades as well as decorations and liners, etc. Regardless of the cost, all of them serve the same purpose just as well.

Yes, you can choose any type of arrangement you want.

Legally you are not required to purchase a grave liner or vault. However, many cemeteries make it a requirement to have at least a grave liner to help keep the ground from settling after interment. Both grave liners and burial vault surround the casket. The vault encases it entirely and therefore is usually much more expensive than the grave liner.

Yes, absolutely. One of the main purposes of this site is to encourage you to compare funeral homes, cemeteries, casket providers and crematoriums. By law, funeral homes are required to give you accurate information over the phone and to answer all funeral, burial and/or cremation related questions. Furthermore, the funeral home cannot require you to give your name, address, or phone number. We have a simple form to find out what you wish to use.