| What happens during the cremation process? The
casket or container is placed in the cremation chamber,
where the temperature is raised to approximately 1400
degrees to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. After approximately
2 to 2 1/2 hours, all organic matter is consumed by heat
or evaporation. The remaining bone fragments are known
as cremated remains. The cremated remains are then carefully
removed from the cremation chamber. Any metal is removed
with a magnet and later disposed of in an approved manner.
The cremated remains are then processed into fine particles
and are placed in the container provided by the crematorium
or placed in an urn purchased by the family. The entire
process takes approximately three hours. Throughout the
cremation process, a carefully controlled labeling system
ensures correct identification.
What happens during the cremation process?
The casket or container is placed in the cremation chamber,
where the temperature is raised to approximately 1400
degrees to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. After approximately
2 to 2 1/2 hours, all organic matter is consumed by heat
or evaporation. The remaining bone fragments are known
as cremated remains. The cremated remains are then carefully
removed from the cremation chamber. Any metal is removed
with a magnet and later disposed of in an approved manner.
The cremated remains are then processed into fine particles
and are placed in the container provided by the crematorium
or placed in an urn purchased by the family. The entire
process takes approximately three hours. Throughout the
cremation process, a carefully controlled labeling system
ensures correct identification.
How hot does the cremator get?
Although there are several manufacturers of cremation
units, the optimum temperature range is 1400 degrees to
1800 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long does it take to cremate a body?
Cremating at the optimum temperature (1400-1800 degrees),
the average weighted remains takes 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Several
more hours may be required before the cremated remains
are available to the family.
Are cremations done individually?
Yes. Laws require that only one casket or container be
cremated at a time.
Is the body exposed to an open flame during the cremation
process?
Yes, the body is exposed to direct heat and flame. Cremation
is performed by placing the deceased in a casket or other
container and then placing the casket or container into
a cremation chamber or retort, where they are subjected
to intense heat and flame.
When after death can a cremation take place?
Because cremation is an irreversible process and because
the process itself will eliminate any ability to determine
exact cause of death, many states require that each cremation
be authorized by the coroner or medical examiner. Some
states have specific minimum time limits that must elapse
before cremation may take place. Your local funeral service
provider can advise you of applicable regulations, if
any.
Is any other preparation required prior to cremation?
It is essential that pacemakers and other medical devices
be removed prior to cremation. They may explode when subjected
to high temperature, which can be hazardous to crematorium
staff and equipment. In addition, any special mementos,
such as jewelry, will be destroyed during the cremation
process. Anything you wish to keep should be removed by
the funeral director before the casket or container is
transferred to the crematorium.
Cremation Service
Options
Cremation is becoming increasingly popular, especially
amongst the baby boomer generation. Among the many reasons
for this growing trend is the breadth of options cremation
provides for a final memorial service. Cremation gives
people the flexibility to search for types
of tributes that reflect the life being honored. But
this doesn’t mean that aspects of traditional funeral
services have to be discarded. Even with cremation, a
meaningful memorial that is personalized to reflect the
life of the deceased could include:
- A visitation prior to the service;
- An open or closed casket;
- Special music;
- A ceremony at the funeral chapel, your place of worship
or other special location; and
- Participation by friends and family.
Commonly, cremated remains are placed in an urn and committed
to an indoor or outdoor mausoleum or columbarium; interred
in a family burial plot; or included in a special urn
garden. Cremation also gives families the option to scatter
the remains. This can be done in a designated cemetery
garden or at a place that was special to the person. Today,
cremated remains can even become part of an ocean reef
or made into diamonds. What ever you choose, cremation
or burial, traditional services or contemporary celebrations,
your NFDA
Funeral Director is there to help you.
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Why Preplan?
 Thinking
about one’s own funeral leaves most people feeling
a little uneasy, but more people are finding that planning
their own service offers great emotional and even financial
security for them and their families. With preplanning,
families find comfort in knowing that the funeral reflects
what their loved one wanted. It also gives them peace
of mind to not have to make important decisions at a stressful
time.
When considering prearranging, you should contact
Leah Hillman, Justin Hillman or Roger Duven at Van Dyk
Duven Funeral Home. Our funeral directors can walk you
through the prearrangement process. We recommend prearranging
for everyone and developed the Consumer
Preneed Bill of Rights as a resource for understanding
what to expect from a preneed contract.
Once you’ve made your prearrangements, keep a copy
of your plan and any pertinent paperwork in a safe place.
Also, inform a close friend or relative what arrangements
you’ve made and where the information may be found.
If you choose, there are several ways
to prepay for your funeral that can offer you
financial benefits. However, prepaying is not required,
but an option that many individuals find helpful.
If you feel prepaying is wise for you, then be sure
to go over all available options with your funeral director.
Remember, like with any contract, ask any and all questions
you may have regarding your preneed plan before you sign
an agreement.
There are several methods available to pre-pay for a
funeral:
- A regulated trust can be established by a licensed
funeral director.
- A final expense insurance policy can be purchased,
equal to the value of the funeral.
- Individuals can establish a savings or certificate
of deposit account earmarked for funeral expenses. The
account can be designated as “payable on death”
(POD) to the funeral home.
- Each method has its advantages. To help determine
which option is best for you, make sure to ask your
funeral director the following questions:
- Who receives the interest on the account?
- Who must pay taxes on the interest?
- Is the prepayment ever refundable, in part or in full?
- · Can the plan be used at a funeral home of
your choice?
- What happens if the funeral home goes out of business
or is sold?
In the event that you move, is the prefunded plan transferable?
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Understanding Grief
 If
you are visiting this section, it is likely that you recently
experienced a loss. We know this is a difficult time for
you, and we hope the information you find here will help
you get through your experience.
We each grieve in our own individual way. How we handle
the loss of a loved one depends on our personal backgrounds,
and even on how the person died. But there are some common
threads that run through all kinds of grief. Understanding
these basic elements will help you understand that you
are not alone in how you feel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grief
Grief Relief by Victor Parachin
Everyone who loves is vulnerable to the pain of grief,
for love means attachment, and all human attachments are
subject to loss. But grief need not, should not, be a
destructive emotion.
~ Dr. Joyce Brothers, Psychologist
How long does grief last?
This is probably the most common question asked by the
bereaved. Because every griever is a unique personality,
there is no single answer to this question. In most cases,
the pain associated with grieving begins to subside considerably
in the second and third years following loss. This means
that there are more good days than bad ones; that the
heavy, depressive feelings in earlier months begin to
break up with more hopeful, optimistic feelings replacing
them. Many bereavement authorities believe that most grief
adjustments take between two and four years to be completed.
Of course, some adjustments are shorter and some are longer,
depending upon personality factors and the nature of the
relationship with the deceased.
What are the signs of grief?
On the emotional level, the bereaved experience some
of the following: disbelief, shock, numbness, denial,
sadness, anxiety, guilt, depression, anger, loneliness
or frustration. The physical symptoms of grief can include
tightness of the chest or throat, pain in the heart area,
panic attacks, dizziness or trembling. Grievers also report
sleep disturbance, as in either too much or not enough
sleeping. All of these emotional and physical symptoms
fall within the normal range of response to the loss of
a loved one.
I feel like I am going crazy. Is this normal?
This is perfectly normal. Indeed, grief can be accurately
described as a "crazy" time in one's life. In
her book, Nobody's Child Anymore, Barbara Bartocci writes:
"The important thing to realize about mourning is
that it's normal to feel slightly crazy. You will forget
things. You will drive your car as if on autopilot. You
will stare at the papers on your desk and feel paralyzed
to get any work done."
Bartocci offers this simple and practical advice: "This
might be a good time to carry a small notebook with you.
Write down things you need to remember. Don't rely on
your memory. Let your boss know why you're not functioning
at your usual one-hundred percent. Be patient with yourself.
Be as understanding of you during this time as you would
like others to be."
Will I ever stop crying?
Even though it may be difficult to believe, the tears
will come to an end. This will not happen abruptly but
gradually, and even after the intense crying ceases, there
may be times when hearing a favorite song or seeing a
favored place will bring a moment of sadness along with
a tear. Keep in mind that crying is healthy because it
is an emotional and physical release. Writing centuries
earlier, Shakespeare had it right: "To weep is to
make less the depth of grief."
Do all people grieve in the same way?
While many aspects of grieving are universal —feelings
of sadness, numbness, confusion, depression — there
is no single prescribed way to grieve. Grieving is an
individual endeavor. Some want to have many people around
with whom they can share and explore their feelings. Others
prefer to deal with loss more privately. Most people report
that grieving is much like being on an emotional roller
coaster. It is worth noting that the "ride"
down is usually the prelude to the "ride" up.
Do men and women grieve differently?
The cultural stereotypes of women and men in grief are
inaccurate. Generally, they portray women as being expressive
with their grief while men are the "strong and silent"
type. The reality is that some men need and want to express
and share their feelings, while some women prefer to do
their grief work in a more low-key way. Bereavement styles
have less to do with gender and more to do with basic
personality traits. Grieve in ways that are most helpful
and healing for you.
The holidays are coming. How can I cope with them?
It is not only holidays that are difficult because there
is an "empty chair," but also anniversaries,
birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day and so on. Here
are some effective ways to manage these special days:
- Plan ahead. How will you spend the day? With whom?
- Talk about your deceased loved one. This will let
others know that you want to hear his/her name and to
talk about that person.
- Establish personal priorities. Decide what you want
to do, how you wish to celebrate, and with whom you
wish to spend time. Follow your instincts.
- Express your feelings. If the holidays make you more
weepy, then cry. If you feel the need to talk about
the loss, then find a good friend who will listen.
- Value your memories. You loved, and the price of losing
a loved one is pain. Cherish the time you had together
and value your precious memories, which can never be
taken away from you.
- Reach out to others. Take the focus off yourself and
your pain by volunteering to help others.
- Avoid isolating yourself in grief. Just because you
are in pain, do not cut yourself off from others. Stay
in touch. Keep communication open with family, friends
and colleagues. Accept invitations for social events,
even if you do not feel like it.
- Be patient with yourself. A loss to death inflicts
a deep wound but the wound will heal.
I feel very angry. Why is this and what can I do with
the anger?
It is not unusual to feel angry. Sometimes the anger
is directed at the deceased love one, sometimes toward
other family members, sometimes at medical staff, or sometimes
toward God. The anger will subside, but you can take the
edge off it through exercise, hard physical activity,
such as housework or gardening, and by talking about the
angry feelings.
What helps the grieving process?
Even though grievers often feel helpless, there are
important steps and actions they can take to make the
grieving process flow more smoothly and toward a more
rapid resolution. Here are some ways to cope with the
pain of loss:
- Seek out supportive people. Find a relative, friend,
neighbor or spiritual leader who will listen non- judgmentally
and provide you with support as you sort your way through
grief.
- Join a support group. Being with others who have had
a similar loss is therapeutic. Express your feelings.
Do this by confiding in a trusted friend or by writing
in a journal. Feelings expressed are often feelings
diminished.
- Take care of your health. Eat balanced, nutritious
meals. Rest properly. Find an exercise you enjoy and
do it regularly. If you have physical problems, consult
with your physician promptly.
- Find outside help when necessary. If your bereavement
feels too heavy for you to bear, find a counselor or
therapist trained in grief issues to offer you some
guidance.
I have an opportunity to relocate. Would this be good
for me?
After a death, the temptation to make changes can be
acute. Such changes can include selling off your home,
taking a new position, or making a career change. Unless
there is some pressing reason for the change, a good rule
is to postpone any major change for at least one year
following the loss. Grief authority Rabbi Earl Grollman
advises: "You may be tempted to make a radical
change in your life—to sell your house, to move
someplace different, to make a fresh start, away from
your familiar home and all the painful memories. Wait
awhile. The time is not right for major decisions. Your
judgment is still uncertain. You are still in horrible
pain. Getting used to a new life takes time, thought and
patience."
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Ten Common Myths & Realities About Grief
Writing to an advice columnist, a woman expressed these
concerns about family members who are in grief. "My
brother and his wife lost a teenage son in an auto accident
six months ago. Of course this is a terrible loss, but
I worry they're not working hard enough to get on with
their lives. This was God's will. There's nothing to do
about it. The family has been patient and supportive,
but now we're beginning to wonder how long this will last
and whether we may not have done the right thing with
them."
A faulty understanding about bereavement shapes this
woman's concern. Like many others, she does not have accurate
information about the grieving process. The woman incorrectly
assumes that grief is of a short duration and ends within
a specific time frame. Whenever there is a loss to death—spouse,
parent, child, sibling, grandparent—grievers struggle
with a variety of confusing and conflicting emotions.
Too often, well-meaning individuals who say and do the
wrong things because they are uniformed about the bereavement
process complicate their struggle.
Here are 10 of the most common myths and realities about
grief. Knowledge of these issues is extremely helpful
for both the bereaved and those wishing to help them.
The bereaved gain assurance that their responses to a
death are quite normal and natural. Simultaneously, family,
friends, religious leaders and other caregivers have the
correct information about grief, thus enabling them to
respond more patiently, compassionately and wisely.
Myth #1. "It has been a year since your spouse
died. Don't you think you should be dating by now?"
Reality. It is impossible to simply "replace"
a loved one. Susan Arlen, a New Jersey physician, offers
this insight: "Human beings are not goldfish. We
do not flush them down the toilet and go out and look
for replacements. Each relationship is unique, and it
takes a very long time to build a relationship of love.
It also takes a very long time to say goodbye, and until
goodbye has really been said, it is impossible to move
on to a new relationship that will be complete and satisfying."
Myth #2. "You look so well!"
Reality. The bereaved do look like the non-bereaved
on the outside but inside, they experience a wide range
of chaotic emotions - shock, numbness, anger, disbelief,
betrayal, rage, regret, remorse, guilt, etc. These feeling
are intense and confusing.
One example comes from British author C.S. Lewis who
wrote these words shortly after his wife died: "In
grief, nothing stays put. One keeps emerging from a phase,
but it always recurs. Round and round. Everything repeats.
Am I going in circles, or dare I hope I'm on a spiral?
But if a spiral, am I going up or down it?"
Thus, grievers feel misunderstood and further isolated
when people comment in astonishment, "You look so
well!" Helpful responses should simply and quietly
acknowledge their pain and suffering through statements
such as "This must be very difficult for you,"
"I am so sorry," "How can I help?"
or "What can I do?"
Myth #3. "The best thing we can do (for the griever)
is to avoid discussing the loss."
Reality. The bereaved need and want to talk about
their loss, including the minutest details connected to
it. Grief shared is grief diminished. Each time a griever
talks about the loss, a layer of pain is shed.
When Lois Duncan's 18-year-old daughter, Kaitlyn, died
because of what police called a "random shooting,"
she and her husband were devastated. Yet, the people most
helpful to the Duncans were those who allowed them to
talk about Kaitlyn. "The people we found most comforting
made no attempt to distract us from our grief," she
recalls. "Instead, they encouraged Don and me to
describe each excruciating detail of our nightmare experience
over and over. That repetition diffused the intensity
of our agony and made it possible for us to start healing."
Myth #4. "It has been six (or nine or 12) months
now. Don't you think you should be over it?"
Reality. There is no quick fix for the pain of
bereavement. Of course, grievers wish they could be over
it in six months. Grief is a deep wound and takes a long
time to heal, and that time frame differs from person
to person according to their unique circumstances.
Glen Davidson, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and thanatology
at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, tracked
1,200 mourners. His research shows an average recovery
time from 18 to 24 months.
Myth #5. "You need to be more active and get
out more!"
Reality. Encouraging the bereaved to maintain
their social, civic and religious ties is healthy. Grievers
should not withdraw completely and isolate themselves
from others. However, it is not helpful to pressure the
bereaved into excessive activity. Erroneously, some caregivers
try to help the grieving "escape" from their
grief through trips or excessive activity.
This was the pressure felt by Phyllis seven months after
her husband died. "Several of my sympathetic friends
who have not yet experienced grief firsthand suggested
that I interrupt my period of mourning by getting out
more," she recalls. "They say, solemnly,'What
you must do is get out among people, go on a cruise or
take a bus trip. Then you won't feel so lonely.' I have
a stock answer for their advice: 'I am not lonely for
the presence of people, I am lonely for the presence of
my husband.' But how can I expect these innocents to understand
that I feel as though my body has been torn asunder and
that my soul has been mutilated? How could they understand
that for the time being, life is simply a matter of survival?"
Myth #6. "Funerals are too expensive and the
services are too depressing!"
Reality. Funeral costs vary and can be managed
by the family according to their preferences. More importantly,
the funeral visitation, service and ritual create a powerful
therapeutic experience for the bereaved.
In her book, What To Do When A Loved One Dies, author
Eva Shaw writes: "A service, funeral or memorial
provides mourners with a place to express the feelings
and emotions of grief. The service is a time to express
those feelings, talk about the loved one and begin the
acceptance of death. The funeral brings together a community
of mourners who can support each other through this difficult
time. Many grief experts and those who counsel the grieving
believe that a funeral is a necessary part of the healing
process and those who do not have this opportunity may
not face the death."
Myth #7. "It was the will of God."
Reality. The Bible makes this important distinction:
life provides minimal support but God provides maximum
love and comfort. Calling a tragic loss the "will
of God" can have a devastating impact on the faith
of others.
Consider Dorothy's experience: "I was nine years
old when my mother died and I was very, very sad. I did
not join in the saying of prayers at my parochial school.
Noticing that I was not participating in the exercise,
the teacher called me aside and asked what was wrong.
I told her my mother died and I missed her, to which she
replied, ‘It was the will of God. God needs your
mother in heaven.' But I felt I needed my mother far more
than God needed her. I was angry at God for years because
I felt he took her from me."
When statements of faith are to be made, they should
focus upon God's love and support through grief. Rather
than telling people, "It was the will of God,"
a better response is to gently suggest, "God is with
you in your pain," "God will help you day to
day," or "God will guide you through this difficult
time." Rather than talking about God "taking"
a loved one, it is more theologically accurate to place
the focus upon God "receiving and welcoming"
a loved one.
Myth #8. "You are young, and you can get married
again," or "Your loved one is no longer in pain
now. Be thankful for that."
Reality. The myth is in believing such statements
help the bereaved. The truth is that cliches are seldom
useful for the grieving and usually create more frustration
for them. Avoid making any statements that minimize the
loss such as, "He's in a better place now,"
"You can have other children," or "You'll
find someone else to share your life with." It is
more therapeutic to simply listen compassionately, say
little and do whatever you can to help ease burdens.
Myth #9. "She cries a lot. I'm concerned she
is going to have a nervous breakdown."
Reality. Tears are nature's safety valves. Crying
washes away toxins from the body that are produced during
trauma. That may be the reason so many people feel better
after a good cry.
"Crying discharges tension, the accumulation of
feeling associated with whatever…
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Types of Losses
 If
you have recently lost a loved one, most likely you are
grappling with a mix of difficult emotions. Maybe you
are in shock at the sudden death of a family member. Or
perhaps interwoven with your sorrow is a sense of peace
for a friend who suffered through a trying battle with
cancer.
While understanding grief is a complicated thing, it
can help to look at how the circumstances surrounding
a death can influence your feelings. The following sections
are meant to give you insight into how your situation
may be affecting your grief.
Discussing Death With a Child
 Experiencing
the death of the loved one is painful enough on its own.
But having to explain to a child that Daddy or Grandma
won’t be here to do fun things with anymore makes
the experience all the more difficult. As a parent or
significant adult in a child’s life, they will look
to you for support, answers and advice while they work
their way through their grief and develop an understanding
of death. The following information is a guide to help
you discuss death with a child.
Explaining Death to a Child
Now that you understand how children grieve, what can
you do as a mom, uncle, grandpa or close family friend
to help them get through this? The following is a list
of do’s and don’ts to help you when talking
to children about death compiled by NFDA grief educator
and minister Victor M. Parachin.
DO be honest about death. As hard as it may be
to break the news to a child, honesty is the best policy.
It is far worse for a child to accidentally discover the
“secret” and then be told “We thought
it was best not to tell you.”
DON’T use euphemisms. Explaining death to
a child as “Uncle Johnny went on a long trip”
or “Grandma Betty is sleeping” may instill
fear in the child of going on a trip or to sleep.
It is better to explain in simple phrases like “dead
means a person’s body has stopped working and won’t
work any more.”
DO help children express their feelings. Encourage
children to cry-out their grief and talk out their thoughts
and feelings about death.
DO be a good listener. Like adults, children need
to talk about the loss and their feelings connected to
it.
DON’T tell a child how to feel. Let a child
experience and express grief in their own way.
DO offer continuous love and assurance. Children
need to know they are loved to feel secure. By being present
and available during the difficult mourning process, parents
can help their children bear the pain.
DON’T hide your grief from children. Seeing
you grieve will let children know that it is normal and
healthy to cry and feel sad after death.
DO invite others to help your children. Often,
someone outside the family can provide much needed additional
comfort, concern and care.
DON’T assume children will just “get over
it.” Whether you are dealing with a young child
or adolescent, be proactive and provide all of the comfort
and consolation you can.
DO nurture faith but DON’T blame your personal
religious god. Often a death will draw religious questions
from a child. Explaining to a child that “God needed
daddy,” or “It was Allah’s will,”
can create future spiritual problems. Instead, remind
your child that “Buddha shares our pain and will
help us get through the crisis.”
Commonly Asked Questions about Children & Grief
How do children grieve?
Like adults, each child’s reaction to death will
be unique and may be experienced on many different levels.
Signs or symptoms of grief can include, but are not limited
to:
- Acting-out behavior
- Tiredness, lack of energy
- Changes in grades
- Sleep disturbance
- Increased “accidents”
- Headaches, stomach aches or skin rashes
- Difficulty with concentrating or focusing
- Regressive behavior, such as thumb sucking, bed wetting
or clinging.
- Unlike adults, children have a difficult time sustaining
strong feelings. Therefore, mood swings and outbursts
of emotion are common.
Should children attend funerals?
Yes. Attending the funeral allows the child to be apart
of the family at a time when they need love and attention
the most. If the child is leery of the funeral, perhaps
you can arrange a private moment before or after the service
for the child to say goodbye. Or ask your funeral director
if their facility has a playroom where that child could
stay until the service is complete.
The important thing is that the child is with friends
and family and not isolated from the situation.
Do children need an advance explanation of what to
expect at a funeral?
Learning what to expect at the funeral is very reassuring
for children. Be honest and clear when explaining the
details.
Remember, children take things very literally so try
not to use euphemisms in your explanations. For young
children, simple statements are sufficient. For example,
explanations like a funeral is a way to say “goodbye”
or a casket is a nice box that holds the body, will help
them understand.
How can we protect children from the loss?
It is impossible to protect children from the pain of
loosing someone they loved. Trying to hide the death from
them will only delay their inevitable realization that
the person is no longer a part of the child’s life.
It is better to include children in the mourning experience
and teach them a healthy way to deal with their feelings.
Should children see their parents and/or family grieving?
Yes. Children learn how to express their own feelings
by example. If a child is able to witness important adults
in their life openly grieving, then they too will be able
to express their feelings of loss. Sharing how they feel
is often an essential part of the healing process.
How can adults help a grieving child?
Adults need to provide a supportive, caring environment
in which children are allowed to openly express their
feelings. This includes hugging the child, listening to
them talk about their feelings, letting them know it’s
ok to cry, and that they will not feel such deep sadness
forever.
Some children may want to be more creative in how they
express their emotions. Writing a letter to the deceased,
drawing a picture, or composing a song are all excellent
ways to release grief and pain. These projects also can
be included in the ceremony, giving the child a meaningful
way to say goodbye.
Can loss permanently scar a child?
Often children are more resilient then we think they
will be. With support, love and comfort from you and the
other important adults in their lives, children adjust
and learn to live with loss.
Five Simple Ways to Help a Grieving Child
1. Be there for the child. Listen when they need to
talk, and hug them when they need comfort.
2. Share fond memories about the loved one with the
child, and encourage them to share their own memories.
3. Encourage the child to draw a picture or write a
letter to their loved one. These items could be placed
in the casket or displayed during the cremation.
4. Frame a picture of the loved one for the child or
give the child another memento to remember their loved
one by. (i.e. coins that were in their pocket, a favorite
pin, etc.)
5. Involve the child in the funeral. Let them read a
poem or letter they have written, sing or play a song
during the service, or even just attend the funeral
with family and friends.
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Financial Considerations
Funeral expenses are tied directly to the type of service
arrangements selected. Our funeral home provides a service
to our whole community, each family with different means.
Traditional Funeral costs have increased no faster than
the consumer price index for other consumer items. A funeral
home is a 24-hour, labor-intensive business, with extensive
overhead and facilities, automotive equipment, along with
obligations to comply with all regulations mandated by
state and federal agencies. Costs of our services range
from $1370 to $3575. In addition, are merchandise items,
such as casket and vault. Our caskets are from leading
manufacturers and range in price from $995 to $7000. A
casket for the deceased can be a significant part of the
cost of a funeral...or, a very small part. We carry an
extensive selection of caskets for your consideration.
No matter how expensive or inexpensive the casket you
choose, you can be assured the quality of our service
and commitment to you is unvarying. The outer burial container
or vault, are also from the best possible manufacturers
and range in price from $695 to $5000. Cash advances arranged
by our funeral home may include: cemetery expenses, honorariums
to a minister, musicians, grave marker inscription, funeral
luncheon, etc.
We encourage you to speak candidly with any of our funeral
directors about any financial hardship you may be experiencing.
We may be able to make suggestions to minimize costs,
and discuss possible sources of funding. We welcome
comparison funeral prices, but urge you to consider the
complete cost: professional services, casket, vault and
cash advanced items. Most often, you will find our complete
charge compares favorably with other funeral homes. When
compared to competition we are often times priced less,
and our services provided are second to none. We strive
to provide service within the means of all.
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There
are any number of situations that can put your family
in need of making long distance funeral arrangements.
Perhaps your mom and dad moved to Florida after retirement,
but wish to be buried in Pella. Or maybe your brother
lives in California, and is unable to fly back to Pella
where the services will take place, but still wants to
take part in the memorial.
Funerals
fill an important role for those mourning the loss of
a loved one. By providing surviving family members and
friends a caring, supportive environment in which to share
thoughts and feelings about the death, funerals are the
first step in the healing process.
A
funeral is so much more than a way to say goodbye; it’s
an opportunity to celebrate the life of someone special.
At some time in our lives, most of us will make or assist
in making funeral arrangements. This can mean making many
decisions at a very difficult and emotional time. Funeral
directors are there to offer help and guidance during
one of life’s most difficult times, but there are
things you can do to help yourself:
As
more people are choosing cremation, funeral service professionals
are striving to give consumers a true sense of what their
many options are for a funeral service. Often funeral
directors find that people have a preconception that they
have fewer choices for a ceremony when selecting cremation
for themselves or a loved one. Therefore, they request
direct cremation and deny the surviving friends and family
an opportunity to honor them with a memorial service.
