| Why have a funeral service? From the beginning of recorded history, societies have honored those who died with a traditional ceremony. One measure of the value a society places on life is the extent to which they express grief at the death of a loved one. Many experts agree that the benefits of a service are for those who are left behind after a death. A pleasant and reassuring memory picture of must occur to help survivors adjust to their loss and recognize that a completed life has been celebrated, which allows the healing process to begin. How much does a funeral cost? Funeral costs vary depending on the standard of service and care of the funeral home selected. There are two types of costs associated with a funeral: (1) services provided by the funeral home and (2) merchandise such as a casket or urn. Is everything I purchase described in a price list? The Federal Trade Commission Funeral Service Rule that Mr. Carter helped author, requires that you receive both a General Price List and a Statement of Goods and Services Selected before you are committed to any arrangements. Can I make my funeral arrangements before I die? Yes. Today, prearrangement and prepayment of funerals are becoming more common. Prearranging will provide you with more time to review your options and give you a choice in your own funeral service. Prearrangement will provide you with the peace of mind that everything has been taken care of, relieving your family of the emotional and financial burden that often comes with making arrangements when a loved one passes away. Oftentimes, making arrangements in advance also may guarantee a service and funeral at today's prices, free from inflation. How many types of caskets exist, and why are some more expensive than others? Caskets are made of either metal (bronze, copper or steel) or wood. Prices vary, depending on the exterior and interior materials used. Bronze, a semi-precious metal, is more expensive than steel. Mahogany, a rare hardwood, is more expensive than the readily available softwood pine. We will suggest the best values in each category of casket you may wish to select from over 250 different units. What is embalming and is it necessary before services are held? Embalming is preservation, restoration, and disinfection of remains. It is not required by law, but we offer it whenever there will be a public viewing or other circumstance where sanitary considerations must be observed. Can a funeral home assist me with Social Security benefits and Veteran death benefits? Yes. In fact, we will do more than just assist you with securing these benefits. Our staff is trained to complete all necessary paperwork to begin the benefits process and to follow through to ensure that the benefits are secured in a timely manner. Will the funeral home help me collect the maximum life insurance and other benefits available? We will assist you by filing all claims and giving you copies of all filings. But the first steps in maximizing your benefits is to review the Death Certificate. Determination of accidental death or the date of death can greatly increase the amount payable. We have been instrumental in survivors collecting benefits that would have been denied, or collecting double indemnity based upon our refusal to file a Death Certificate that did not accurately reflect the cause, manner, or date of death. There are other often overlooked benefits that may come from auto medical insurance or Crime Victims Compensation. What is involved in the cremation process? Before cremation occurs, the death certificate must be completed and signed by the attending physician. In addition, a Virginia Medical Examine must re-examine the deceased to insure there is no wrongdoing involved. In addition, necessary authorizations to cremate must be obtained from the next of kin or authorizing person, no objections to the cremation can be raised and a minimum of 24 hours must have transpired since the death occurred. The cremation then takes place and the cremated remains are placed in the designated container or urn selected for final disposition. Are special cremation containers and caskets available? The Carter Funeral Home has a large selection of urns and other imaginative containers so that creative memorial services can be arranged. Are the services held before or after cremation? Services are held at the discretion of the family. Many choose to have a traditional service in a rental casket and viewing first, followed by the cremation. What happens to the cremated remains? There are many options to consider with a cremation. A family can choose to bury the remains in a cemetery, store and display them at home in an urn or picture frame, or scatter them in a place special to the deceased. It is advisable to check local restrictions on scattering remains on public property and obtain permission for private property. Can we scatter the remains from an aircraft? The Carter Funeral Home has an aircraft and commercial pilot available at all times. |
Frequently Asked Questions
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