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Hughes Funeral Home

Losing a loved one can leave you with many unanswered questions, stress and feelings of anxiety and grief that make the events difficult to handle. Hughes Funeral Home’s experienced funeral directors will guide you through all aspects of a funeral service with compassion, dignity and respect. Their dedicated staff is available to assist you in making funeral service arrangements. From casket selection to funeral flowers, the funeral directors at Hughes Funeral Home provide individualized funeral services tailored to meet each family’s needs.   

Their History

Mitchell Hughes Funeral Home

Mitchell Hughes Funeral Home is located at 800 N. Market Street in Marion, IL was originally founded by C.D. Ozment in 1914.

After his death in 1941, his business partner, Leonard Mitchell, continued to operate the Ozment-Mitchell Funeral Home.

Until he retired.

Mitchell’s successor, Larry G. Hughes, joined the firm as an apprentice in 1966, became a partner in 1970, and became the sole.

Owner in 1982. Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home at the same location since 1970.

Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home

Johnson Hughes in Hearn has served Hearn families since 1933 when Paul Johnson and Joe Gildoni established the facility at 200 North Street in Hearn.

In 1935 the house was moved to 201 South 13th, just one block from Park Avenue and adjacent to Hearne Hospital.

In 1938 Johnson became a partner with John Moroni and the home became the Moroni-Johnson Funeral Home until Moroni’s death in 1949. Under the direction of Paul Johnson, Johnson Funeral Home became an important part of the city of Herrin. After Mr. Johnson’s death in 1983, Larry G. Hughes bought the firm.

Services they provide at Hughes Funeral Home.

Hughes Funeral Homes offers distinctive, personal, and affordable services designed to help you honor your loved one in a way that is unique to them and meaningful to you.

Traditional services

Whether you choose cremation or cremation, the funeral service is an important part of honoring your loved one and beginning the healing process. They offer service options that are meaningful and affordable.

·         Visitation

This time is set aside for family and friends to gather together to say goodbye while being in the comfort of those closest to them. They can personalize the visit to be as unique as your loved one with a tribute video, items or displays that were important to your loved one, or simply pictures displayed. They will work with your family to design the perfect gathering experience.

·         Funeral Service

The funeral service can be held in their chapel, a church, or any other venue the family chooses. They work with their families to design a service that honors their loved ones with stories, music, or scripture.

·         Graveside Service

A graveside or committal service is typically held immediately following the funeral service but it can also be a small intimate gathering of those closest to you.

Funeral services

They offer several service options for families who choose cremation which may include a full service funeral, a memorial service, or something more private, as well as permanent cremation options.

·         Burial followed by a traditional funeral service

Many families find meaning and beauty in a traditional funeral service. With a traditional service combined with cremation, you can still choose to have a final viewing, visitation or wake, and a funeral service. However, instead of ground burial, burial will take place after burial. Depending on your wishes, cremated remains can either be returned to your family for storage in an urn, scattered, or buried in a columbarium. This option will include cremation fees as well as fees associated with cremation.

·         Memorial Service

A memorial service may be held at our chapel, church, or other location of the family’s choosing. They work with their families to design a service that honors their loved ones with stories, music, or scripture.

·         Graveside service

A graveside or committal service is usually held immediately after the funeral service, but it can also be a small intimate gathering of those closest to you.

Personalization

Their funeral directors are experts in helping to create meaningful services that are unique and honor your loved one in ways that are special and meaningful. They offer many ways to personalize the service, from tribute videos to cap sex, to live streaming for family and friends who can’t attend in person.

·         Photos and albums

There are many opportunities to display photos at a funeral service. Poster boards with photo collages can be placed on easels for display. Flat screen TV monitors can be used to show pictures or slide shows during calling hours or just before services. Photos can be printed on keepsake folders, registry books, or urns.

·         Videos

DVD video is a wonderful way to share the life of a loved one with others. It can be personalized with your special photos and music. These videos become memories that you can share with your family from generation to generation.

·         The artwork

Artwork of the deceased or art created in tribute is a beautiful addition to a service. A sculpture, a slideshow of drawings, or artwork displayed throughout the funeral home helps people learn more about their loved one’s life.

·         Music

Live or pre-recorded music can be soothing and relaxing for service attendees. Some other musical methods may be used, such as recording a CD with the deceased’s favorite songs or songs he or she has written or having musically inclined family or friends perform at the funeral service.

·         Study of poetry and literature

Quotes from the deceased’s favorite books or poems that capture the essence of life help create a service that includes words of wisdom and remembrance. You can also invite friends and family members to read passages or poems of their choice or write their own pieces to share.

Veterans Services

There is no greater honor than serving those who serve our country. They help you reap the benefits and provide service worthy of a veteran.

·         What are VA burial benefits and memorials?

VA burial benefits are designed to help service members, veterans, and their families plan and pay for burial or memorial services at a VA National Cemetery. Commemorative items are provided by Veterans Affairs to honor the service of those who have served the country.

·         Who is eligible for burial benefits and burial in a national cemetery?

Veterans, service members, spouses, and dependents may be eligible for burial at a VA National Cemetery, along with other benefits, if they meet one of the following requirements:

• A veteran who has not been dishonored
• A service member who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training.
• A veteran’s spouse or minor child, even if the veteran is predeceased.

In some cases, an unmarried adult dependent child of a veteran

·         What are military funeral honors and a pledge service?

Military funeral honors include the playing of “taps,” a rifle detail, a color guard, and uniformed service members presenting the bereaved family with the United States flag properly folded. These flags are usually given to a close relative or close friend of the deceased. To be eligible to receive a veteran burial flag, a veteran or reservist must be described by at least one of the following:

• Served during the war.
• Died while serving on active duty after 27 May 1941.
• Served after 31st January 1955.

Served in peacetime and left military service before June 27, 1950, after serving at least one enlistment or because of a disability that was caused by — or worsened by — their active military service.

Served in the Selected Reserve, or served in the Armed Forces of the Philippines while in the service of the United States and died on or after April 25, 1951.

·         What are burial benefits and how do I apply?

Veterans’ death benefits help cover funeral, burial, and transportation costs associated with the services and disposition of the deceased. For those buried in a national cemetery, relatives may receive assistance with burial and funeral expenses, plot or internment, and transportation of the veteran’s remains for burial.

You must file a claim for Non-Service Connected Burial Allowance within two years of the veteran’s burial or cremation. There is no time limit for filing for a service-connected burial, plot or interment allowance.

You can apply online at https://www.va.gov/burials-and-memorials/application/530/introduction or by mail after completing VA Form 21P-530.

A veteran who did not receive a dishonorable discharge or a service member who died while on active duty may be eligible for a headstone or marker if they meet certain requirements. To find out if your loved one qualifies, visit https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/headstones-markers-medallions/.

The Department of Veterans Affairs also provides headstones for unmarked graves of an eligible deceased veterans at no charge. To request a headstone, grave marker, or niche marker, complete VA Form 10-1330 and send it to:

Department of Veterans Affairs

5109 Russell Road

Quantico, VA 22134-3909

For more information about VA burial benefits and memorials, visit:

https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/ or contact the VA office at 1-800-827-1000.

When a death occurs.

Immediately after the death of a loved one, there are many decisions that must be made. At this time, you may feel that your emotions are running high, and therefore it is a good idea to ask for help in making all the decisions and arrangements. Additionally, the funeral home staff is eager to help you and the family make the best decisions. This information can help guide you and your family through this process.

Contact the relevant authorities.

Before any arrangements and decisions can be made, a legal declaration of death must be made. If your loved one dies in a medical or nursing facility such as a hospital or nursing home, the staff will make arrangements to make the announcement. If your loved one dies at home, you need to contact local emergency authorities immediately to come and take them to a hospital where they can be legally pronounced dead. Family members who die under hospice care may be pronounced dead by hospice staff. This legal declaration is required before the family can proceed to make funeral arrangements or handle any legal matters.

Start making arrangements.

Once your loved one has been pronounced dead, you and your family can proceed with making any kind of funeral arrangements. Your loved one may have already planned any type of service, and you and your family should consider these options first. If your loved one has not made any prior arrangements, and you have decided which funeral home you would like to use for the services, you will contact them and meet with the funeral director. And will start discussing the options.

During this time, if the deceased has not expressed their final wishes, the family will need to decide whether they will cremate or cremate the body, and what type of service should be held. These decisions include the time, date and location of any service. what type of casket or urn your loved one needs; drafting death notices; deciding on pallbearers; and make any decisions about the details of the service such as who will be the minister, what music will be played and who will speak.

As part of the process of beginning funeral arrangements, if the deceased was active or retired military, contact the Veterans Administration to determine if they offer death benefits or service options.

Funeral directors may need information.

Once you meet with the funeral director, they will advise you of any information or paperwork they need for the death certificate or to proceed with final arrangements.

Required Information:

• Full name and address
• marital status
• race/ethnicity
• Date of birth and city
• Higher levels of education
• Father’s Name, Mother’s Maiden Name
• Spouse’s Name
• Occupation and employer
• Funeral directors may require documentation.

Funeral directors will need important documents to complete any legal paperwork. These documents include:

• Account Statements
• Beneficiary designation
• Life insurance policies
• Military Discharge Papers (Form DD 214)
• Social security number

Taking care of personal property

After the death of a loved one, there are a few things you need to consider including the personal life of the deceased. First, protect your loved one’s property. Make sure their home and vehicle are properly secured. If your loved one has a pet, make arrangements to have it cared for by family or friends. Any mail your loved one receives should be forwarded to a family member who intends to administer the deceased’s estate. Any mail that piles up on an empty house only alerts potential intruders that the house is empty. Contact the deceased’s boss and inform them of the death. If your loved one has any upcoming appointments, contact them to inform them of the death and cancel the appointment.

Funeral Etiquette

Many of us are unsure of what encouraging words to say to family or how to respond to their sad feelings. Knowing a few rules of funeral etiquette can help anyone feel more comfortable in both the funeral and visitation setting.

When should I visit?

Once you learn of someone’s death, it is appropriate to visit the family at their home, but the funeral home is the best place to meet with family members and offer condolences. For someone to visit the family and offer support before services are held, these actions can provide additional comfort. Offering meals, bringing home necessities, helping with childcare and taking care of any chores or errands are just a few things you can do to help a grieving family.

what should I say?

This is the most common question asked by someone who wants to honor them. While no words can adequately express the depth of the loss, offering a few kind words to the family of the deceased shows that you care. Try to avoid airing your grievances or saying that the deceased is in a better place.

Where should I sit?

Many people attend a funeral and are unfamiliar with the seating arrangements. Generally, at both funeral and visitation services, the first rows of seats are reserved for family members. If you are not part of a family, choose a seat behind the reserved seat.

what shall I do?

Being on time is very important. When entering a funeral home or other location, enter as quietly as possible. If you are attending the meeting, talk to surviving family members and offer your condolences before sitting down. Cell phone use during service is inappropriate. If you feel you must answer a message or call, excuse yourself and move to another room or outside.

What should I do about the children?

Although there is no definitive answer to this question, whether a child should attend a visitation or funeral service may depend on the situation or relationship with the deceased and his family, as well as the child’s age and whether or not he behaves appropriately. . If you decide to take your child to any service, explain what will happen during the service and how they should act during it.

What should I give?

Sending flowers to a funeral home or home is an appropriate way to offer condolences. In some cases, family members may ask that donations be made to a specific foundation in lieu of flowers, and these wishes should be respected. Bringing food to a grieving family is another way to show respect for those who have suffered a loss. A less expensive and completely appropriate option would be to send a sympathy card to the family. There is no specific time or expiration date on when cards can be sent.

Social Security Benefits

Are you the survivor of someone who was receiving Social Security benefits? If so, you or a family member may be eligible for monthly survivor benefits. As a survivor, you may be eligible to receive certain benefits if you are the spouse, child, or parent of someone who worked for a long time under the Social Security Administration.

What are Social Security Death Benefits?

Social Security death benefits are paid to widows, widowers, and dependents of deceased eligible workers. This benefit, which is intended to help with the financial burden of a family that loses the income of a loved one, is especially important for young families with children. The monthly benefit amount is based on the earnings of the deceased. The more they paid into Social Security, the higher your benefits. This amount is a percentage of the deceased’s basic Social Security benefit. Additionally, a lump sum death payment of $255 may be paid to the surviving spouse if he or she is living with the deceased. or if living separately, were receiving some Social Security benefits on the decedent’s record. When there is no surviving spouse, payments are made to a child who is eligible for benefits.

Who is eligible for benefits?

1. A widow or widower aged 60 years or above.
2. A surviving divorced spouse, under certain circumstances
3. A widow or widower of any age who is caring for a child of the deceased who is under 16 or disabled and receiving child benefits.

An unmarried child of the deceased who is one of the following:

• Under the age of 18 (up to the age of 19 if a full-time student in elementary or secondary school).
• Age 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22.

What steps should be taken by relatives?

In most cases, the funeral home will report the person’s death, however, if not, the surviving family member must notify the Social Security Administration as soon as possible after the date of death. Death cannot be reported online, and benefits cannot be applied for online.

Grief process

Each person is unique in how they handle the loss of a loved one. Although the grieving process is different for each of us, we all experience some common feelings as we work to heal from our loss.

Our responses to the various feelings that occur during the grieving process are often described as “stages.” These stages are not tied to “real time”, and people do not necessarily move in and out of stages in an orderly, straightforward fashion. The stages can last for minutes or hours. It is not unusual to move in and out of one phase and then into another, and cycle back into phase one. You may find yourself repeating this process many times as you continue to work through your grief.

There are five commonly seen stages that people experience during the grieving process. These stages are denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.

• At first, you may feel detached, shocked or numb. You may wonder why you aren’t more worried about your loss. This feeling of disconnection is a survival response. It’s just nature’s way of helping you continue to function at a core level during times of extreme stress. Denial is a tool that unconsciously enables you to do the things that are necessary to get on with your life in the days immediately following your loss.
• Anger provides a bridge to the initial numbness of grief. You may find yourself angry at doctors, your family, a dying loved one, or God. Anger is a necessary step in the healing process. Your anger is connected to your pain. The more you really allow yourself to feel the pain as well as your anger, the more it will subside, and the more you will heal.
• Before and after the loss, you may feel that you would have done anything to save your loved one. “If only” and “what if” become a recurring thought. Crime is often accompanied by bargaining. You may wonder if there was anything you could have done differently so that your loved one would still be alive. You can try to second guess the doctors and yourself. You can live in the past to avoid the pain of the present.

• After bargaining, feelings of emptiness and sadness present themselves at a deeper level. Depression is not a sign of mental illness. It is a fitting response to a great loss. Feelings of deep sadness (depression) are common when a loss sinks deep into your soul, and you realize that your loved one is not coming back. It would be very unusual not to experience depression after the death of a loved one. Depression is a necessary step toward healing.
• You finally come to terms with your grief when you move into the acceptance stage of grief. At this point, the loss has become part of your story and your history. It doesn’t consume your life the way it started. With acceptance comes peace. As you move through this phase, you may find yourself once again interested in and able to enjoy the things you used to love to do. You can develop new interests and relationships. You have learned to live with your loss in a way that is constructive and healing.

How long will I feel this way?

Everyone is different, and so is their grief. Each person will take a different path to healing. While there is no right or wrong time to complete the grieving process, many experts agree that it is not unusual to take at least a year to go through the grieving process.

Complicated grief

The duration of the grieving process can also be affected by your relationship with the deceased, the amount of support you receive, and other factors.

Sometimes the healing process can be disrupted or delayed if other events or traumatic losses in a person’s life have occurred earlier. This may be especially true if the other loss is relatively recent, or has not been fully processed. This grief experience is called “complicated grief.” People dealing with this type of grief can benefit from working with professionals who are trained to deal with complex grief issues.

If, after some time has passed, you feel that your grief is still persistent and disruptive to the point where it affects your daily activities, please seek professional counseling.

Resources for grief

Individual counseling, local grief support groups, and online websites can help you work through your grief.

GriefShare is a nationwide network of groups of people who meet weekly to share and support each other through the grief recovery process. Visit www.griefshare.org to find a support group near you.

Online resources include discussion forums, educational tools, and a community for people dealing with grief. You may find one or more of the following websites helpful:

• VISIT GRIEFNET.ORG

GriefNet is an Internet community of people dealing with grief, death, and major loss, with over 50 email support groups.

• VISIT WIDOWNET.ORG

Widownet is an online information and self-help resource for, and by, widows and widowers. Topics covered include grief, bereavement, recovery, and other related topics.

• VISIT GRIEVING.COM

Grieving.com is a forum resource with over 45,000 active members. Topics range from terminal illness and sudden death to the loss of a pet.

• VISIT MISSFUNDATION.ORG

The MISS Foundation is a volunteer-run non-profit organization that supports people of all ages grieving the death of a child.

• Visit grief recovery.

Recover From Grief provides information on the grieving process as well as coping strategies.

Children and grief

Death is a natural phenomenon. Experts agree that children, even the very young, should not be immune to the death of a loved one. Children have the ability to recognize death as an event and the curiosity to ask questions about the event. The general advice is to talk to the child about death simply and honestly, depending on the age.

Ask questions to determine what the child already knows about the situation. You can then explain the situation to him simply and honestly. For example, you might say, “Grandma’s heart got really tired and stopped working, so she died.”

It is important to avoid giving answers that may confuse or frighten the child, such as “Grandma fell asleep and won’t wake up” or “God took Grandma with the angels.” Although these phrases are intended to comfort and soothe, the child may actually interpret them in a much more literal sense. For example, a child may develop a fear of going to sleep because the same thing may happen to him.

Let the child ask questions if he wants to, but don’t pressure him if he doesn’t answer. A young child may ask questions such as “Where’s Grandma now?” or “Is my cat in heaven?” Older children can better understand the finality of death, and ask more abstract questions related to issues of faith, the meaning of life, etc.

For any age group, stay true, with simple answers in terms the child can understand.

How would you explain the death of a loved one to a child?

A child’s age and emotional development will affect the way he experiences grief.

Ages 2 to 7

By age 7, children see death primarily as a separation event. This can make them feel abandoned and scared. They may fear being alone, and not want to sleep alone at night, or go to school.

Because these young children are usually not skilled at expressing their feelings verbally, they instead use behaviors such as throwing tantrums, refusing to obey adults, or creating a fantasy life with role-playing. can “process” through Other behaviors, which typically appear in children between the ages of 2 and 5, may include problems with eating, sleeping, toileting, or bedwetting. Very young children under the age of 2 may suddenly refuse to talk and may be more irritable in general.

Ages 7 to 12

Children of this age are beginning to see death as a permanent event. They may perceive death as a more personal threat to their personal safety, develop a fear of dying themselves, or resort to “precautionary” behaviors to “save” themselves from death, such as their Aligning you with someone they think can protect them, or focus. For being “brave” or “good”. Others may simply withdraw socially and/or emotionally from others.

Symptoms may include difficulty concentrating on schoolwork, difficulty following instructions, and difficulty performing daily tasks.

teens

Although teenagers perceive and understand death as closely as adults, they may express their grief differently. They may react more dramatically, or adopt reckless behaviors in an attempt to “prevent” the death. Reckless driving, smoking, drinking, taking illegal drugs, or having unprotected sex may be forms of “acting out” their worries and feelings of grief.

Suicidal thoughts can sometimes be present in an adolescent who has difficulty processing their loss. Warning signs of suicide in children and adolescents may include preoccupation with death, having thoughts or talking openly about suicide, or giving away their belongings.

Parents of teenagers who have lost a loved one should be aware of any changes in their child’s behavior, and seek professional counseling for the child immediately if they think their child may be at risk.

Plan ahead.

Why should I plan ahead?

Not everyone likes to plan ahead, but planning your funeral arrangements in advance not only gives you peace of mind about honoring your final wishes, but also the grief associated with your loved ones. The pressure and burden on your loved ones is also reduced while facing loss.

Benefits of PrePlanning

The staff at Hughes Funeral Homes is happy to help you plan your funeral in advance and help you make advance decisions about your funeral and some of the unnecessary stress that comes with the death of a loved one. Guides you to eliminate

• Secure the online pre-planning form
• Advantages of pre-planning
• Planning ahead lets you know what you want.

The death of a loved one often causes unnecessary stress and chaos within families. One family member wants one thing, while another family member wants something different. By planning ahead, you help prevent disagreements by letting your family know what your wishes are and how you want your funeral service and business to be handled.

·         Planning ahead provides peace of mind.

Their staff guarantees that we will carry out your required arrangements as per your instructions. Once a plan is in place, you and your family can rest easy knowing that at the time of death, those uncomfortable decisions have been made. At a time when a family should be able to grieve easily, planning ahead allows this to happen.

·         Forward planning offers flexible funding options.

When you plan your funeral arrangements in advance, there are more options for funding the funeral. An advance insurance policy, life insurance policy or other payment option can be arranged before the time of death. At the time of death, services must be paid in full, so having options in place early can also reduce other bereavement stressors.

·         Planning ahead takes the burden off the family.

After the death of a loved one, there are more than 150 decisions that must be made within the first day or two after the death. On top of the stress of grieving a loss, these stressful decisions can be alleviated by arranging your last wishes ahead of time. If these decisions are made, your loved one will not be left wondering what you would have wanted and how they should proceed with the funeral plans. By making these decisions, your loved one can begin the healing process sooner.

Preparation of checklist

Dealing with the loss of a loved one can be overwhelming for your surviving family and friends, but planning your funeral in advance can help them cope better with the stress of losing someone.

Select the type of service you want.

Planning your funeral in advance can not only ease the burden on your loved ones, but it helps ensure that your final wishes are respected. While some families struggle with making the final decisions after losing someone, your family won’t have to worry about these difficult choices.

• Decide what type of service you want (traditional, cremation, donation, etc…).
• If you choose a traditional service with burial, decide where you want to be buried.
• Meet with a funeral director and see your options for caskets and urns.
• If you decide you want to be buried, choose clothing options.
• Check out the location options for your service (funeral home, religious facility, memorial building, graveside).

What kind of flowers do you want? Do you want flowers, or do you want to make a donation to a specific charity or charity of one’s choice?

Who will be part of your service? You should decide on the pallbearers and ask them personally. You should also decide who you want to be responsible for or participate in your service.

• Choose which songs you would like to play in your service.

Write an obituary or make notes about the information you want to include in your obituary.

• Choose who you want to be in charge.

Your family and friends want to participate in the process of fulfilling your last wishes, they just need instructions on what to do.

• Make sure someone, preferably your executor, has a copy of the will.

Give a family member or chosen friend a list of important account information that will need to be contacted and handled after your death. Also make sure someone knows your final wishes for the service you want.

• Designate someone as your power of attorney.

Choose to pay in advance.

Making advance decisions about your funeral can benefit you and your loved ones financially. If possible, pay all expenses in advance, freeing your family from this financial burden. When possible, pay in advance:

• All funeral arrangements including casket, urn, flowers, transportation and special services.

Why choose them?

The staff at Hughes Funeral Home takes great pride in caring for our families, and is committed to providing you with a beautiful, lasting tribute to your loved one. Honoring your loved one is their top priority, and part of that is helping you deal with grief during this difficult time. Everyone’s needs are different, and for that reason, families can entrust their loved one’s wishes to their staff. Thye have a wide range of resources to help you not only today, but also in the coming weeks and months.

Online memorial

They can create a custom, online memorial to share with your family and friends. The memorial includes the deceased and any photos you wish to provide. It will serve as a place for visitors to post condolences, share memories, upload photos, and light candles in honor of your loved one.

Tribute video

Theye can offer a personalized tribute that can be played at the service and online. Just provide them with the photos you’d like to include and they’ll turn them into a video celebration of your precious memories. DVD or digital files of the video are also available.

Ordering flowers

They make it easy for friends and family to send flowers to your home or service to honor your loved one. They have partnered with local florists to provide direct ordering from the florist page of their website. You can also use this feature to select the flowers you would like in the service. This is a safe way to choose beautiful arrangements from the privacy and comfort of your home.

Sharing Service Details

They take the stress out of contacting those who need service details for your loved one. They post service dates and times as part of the online memorial on their website. You can then either share the memorial to your Facebook or Twitter page or copy the details from the site into an email or text. Both options give you peace of mind that you’ve provided the information you need to the people who need it.

Daily grief measures emails

They offer one year of free daily grief support emails to the families we serve. It is important for them to continue to comfort their families through the difficult days that the first year of grief can bring.

 Frequent Questions

What are the options for funeral services?

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

If you choose cremation, can you still have a funeral?

Yes, cremation or cremation is just the disposal of the body. Funeral services are meant to honor and remember your loved one, regardless of the condition.

Can I plan ahead if I choose cremation?

Regardless of cremation, funeral services can be arranged in advance. Prearranging is simply recording your wishes with the funeral home and paying in advance if you choose to do so.

What information should I bring to the management conference?

Advance Directives – If the deceased left any written advance directives regarding their remains and memorials, you must bring them with you. These instructions may be found in a will, or may include a formally observed disposition directive, pre-funeral arrangement, or preneed agreement.

• Military discharge papers
• Details of any cemetery property owned by the deceased or family (grave plot, columbarium site, etc.)

A recent photograph of the deceased and any personal effects you wish to see or include with the burial.

Specific information about the deceased:

• Full legal name
• Address
• marital status
• Social security number
• Place of Birth (City and State)
• Education history (number of years of schooling)
• Armed Forces Service Dates and Serial Nos
• profession or vocation
• Names of parents including mother’s maiden name
• Next of kin and other survivors

What services do funeral directors provide?

A funeral director’s job is to support the bereaved in a variety of ways to help them cope with the loss of a loved one. A funeral director provides bereavement and comfort services for the living in addition to arranging funerals, burials and memorial services for the deceased. He fulfills the roles of funeral director, funeral director, funeral attendant, and embalmer.

Why are funerals so expensive?

A traditional funeral involves a number of services that add to the total cost. In addition to an undisclosed basic services fee, other charges may include removal/transfer of the deceased to the funeral home. Perfume other preparations of the body; use of viewing facilities and staff; use of facilities and personnel for the funeral ceremony; use of a hearse, service car, or van; A basic souvenir printed package; Purchase of caskets, outdoor burial vessels, and cemetery plots.

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

Removal of the deceased from the place of death and transfer to the funeral home

Professional care of the deceased, including embalming, casketing, and cosmetology

Consulting with the family to make funeral arrangements

Submitting certificates, permits, and other required forms

Obtaining copies of death certificates

Arrangements with a cemetery, crematorium, or other place of cremation

Creates and publishes obituaries.

Arrangements for clergy, music, flowers, transportation, pallbearers, and special fraternal or military services

Directs and arranges the funeral service and funeral procession.

Assists family with bereavement claims including Social Security, VA insurance, grief counseling.