faq

Since there are many options available, you may wish to discuss the type of
funeral arrangements with your clergy and family members. Keep in mind
that the funeral is for the survivors. If it is meaningful for you, it can help lead
to a healthy resolution of the grief you and your family are experiencing.

ARE THERE RELIGIOUS CONSIDERATIONS?
Some religions have specific preferences or requirements. If you don't know, ask
your funeral director or clergy. Arrangements will need to be made with
appropriate clergy to set times and types of religious services which can be held in
the funeral home chapel or any appropriate place of your choice such as a church,
temple, synagogue or hall. These arrangements can be made by the funeral home
if you so choose.

MEMBER OF CIVIC OR FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION OR VETERAN?
Many lodges and fraternal organizations have funeral traditions and rituals that are
performed during the visitation or funeral service. If the deceased was a veteran,
he or she is entitled to a U.S. flag and military honors performed by veteran
organizations. Your funeral director will explain and arrange such services for you
if desired.

IS COST A FACTOR?
Yes, cost is a factor, but all funeral homes have a price list available for your
review. It will be easier to discuss arrangements if you have an idea of what you
are able to afford. Although difficult, it is important to remember when you are
making arrangements that you are purchasing services and merchandise and are
renting facilities. Live within your budget. Regardless of the cost of your funeral,
you will receive the same professional and compassionate service from the funeral
director.

DO YOU HAVE TO HAVE A SERVICE?
Disposition of the body may occur without any service. Expenses will include
removal of the body from the place of death, transportation of the body to the
burial or cremation site and whatever may be necessary to meet legal
requirements and the minimum requirements of the funeral home involved.

DO YOU WANT BURIAL OR ENTOMBMENT?
Earth burial is the most common means of disposition in the United States. Costs
include a casket, cemetery plot, opening and closing of the grave, a grave liner or
vault and a memorial or marker. These costs vary considerably by cemetery and
locality. Entombment is the placement of the casket in a mausoleum. Mausoleum
space may be more expensive than a cemetery plot.

DO YOU WANT EMBALMING?
Embalming is not required by Michigan law EXCEPT if burial or cremation does not
take place within 48 hours of death or if the deceased had certain communicable
diseases. Further, a funeral home normally requires and has the right to require
embalming if a public visitation is planned. Additionally, common carrier regulations
usually require embalming as a condition for the transportation of a deceased
person. You should also check the embalming laws and regulations of other states
if the deceased is to be transported outside of Michigan. If embalming is desired,
the amount of time that elapses between death and embalming can make a
difference in the personal appearance of the body. Permission for embalming
should be granted as soon as possible for best results.

DO YOU WANT CREMATION?
Cremation is just one form of disposition. The others are ground burial,
entombment, body donations (in which case the body is eventually cremated) and
burial at sea (not permitted in the Great Lakes.) The choice of cremation does not
limit or dictate the funeral options available. Most cremations are preceded by
some type of viewing or funeral service. If the body is viewed, it is usually
embalmed. A memorial service is usually held after a direct cremation. The
distinctive feature of a memorial service is that the body is not present. This
service can be held in a funeral home, chapel, church, synagogue, or any place
that is meaningful to the survivors.

DO YOU WANT VISITING HOURS FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS?
Visitation, which is also called a viewing, calling hours, or a wake, is having the
body lie in state with members of the family present so that friends may pay last
respects to the deceased. A visitation may vary in length from hours to days. You
may prefer a private viewing restricted to the family.

DO YOU WANT A GRAVESIDE SERVICE?
When the body or the cremated remains are buried in the ground or entombed in
a mausoleum, a service may be held at the grave site. A graveside service may or
may not consist of religious rituals and is usually of shorter duration than a
traditional service at a funeral home or church. The times and manner of
graveside services may be restricted by cemetery regulations. Arrangements will
need to be made with the cemetery to set up the proper facilities. The funeral
home will make these arrangements for you.

INFORMATION AND ITEMS THE FUNERAL DIRECTOR WILL NEED:
To facilitate the arrangements and the filing of the death certificate, it will be
helpful if you bring the following (if applicable) to the arrangement conference:
Birth certificate if available: information needed is father's full name, mother's first
and maiden name, and date and place of birth.
Ancestry (nationality).
Education level.
U.S. Armed Forces Honorable Discharge papers.
Recent photograph.
Any information about cemetery property - cemetery papers/deeds (if applicable
and available).
Brief list of surviving relatives (names and places of their residences).
List of pallbearers (if desired).
Name of person(s) to officiate at the service/Mass/memorial.
List of persons playing music and the hymns/songs requested.
Clothing: the clothing should include a complete set of underclothing and whatever
outer clothing the family deems appropriate.

OTHER SERVICES YOUR FUNERAL DIRECTOR WILL PROVIDE:
Our funeral homes provide other services such as placing obituary and death
notices in the newspaper, obtaining death certificates and assisting you in filing for
death benefits. We will arrange for transportation of the body to another funeral
home in or out of state, transportation to the cemetery, payment of honoraria or
gratuities to clergy and musicians. We will place and transport all floral tributes.
We will help your family plan a meaningful service using any personalization that
you feel is appropriate.