Frequent Questions

If a death occurs away from home, contact the local medical authorities first, and law enforcement if required. Once that has been done, call us as soon as possible. We will coordinate the necessary arrangements to help bring you and your loved one back home as smoothly and efficiently as possible, while also helping prevent unnecessary duplication of efforts or expenses.

A funeral director is a licensed professional who manages all aspects of funeral and memorial services. They support families throughout the process, help plan visitations and ceremonies, and prepare the deceased according to the family’s wishes while ensuring every detail is handled with care.

Funeral directors also coordinate the removal and transportation of the deceased, manage scheduling and logistics, and assist with required legal and insurance paperwork. In addition, they are trained to recognize when someone may be struggling deeply with loss and can offer added support or recommendations for professional resources when appropriate.

Yes. Our staff has extensive experience learning about families and incorporating a loved one’s hobbies, interests, activities, and special requests into meaningful, memorable services. You should never hesitate to share ideas, even if they feel unconventional. We are honored to help create a service that genuinely reflects and celebrates your loved one’s unique life.

Yes. Choosing cremation simply reflects how you wish to care for your loved one after the service and does not limit your options for honoring their life. Viewing and funeral services can be held before cremation, or a memorial service can take place afterward. We are here to help you plan a meaningful service that reflects your wishes and accompanies the cremation in a way that feels right for your family.

A viewing—also called a visitation, wake, or calling hours—may involve either an open or closed casket and is often an important part of the grieving process. Being present with a loved one can help family and friends acknowledge the reality of the loss, particularly for those who may not have seen them recently. Having the opportunity to say a final goodbye and begin to come to terms with the death is a meaningful step on the path toward healing.

Yes. Organ donation and autopsies do not prevent an open-casket viewing.

This is a personal decision and depends on whether your child is able to understand death and whether attending the service would be meaningful for them. Funerals can provide children with an opportunity to express their grief and take part in an important ritual.

If you choose to bring young children, it’s helpful to explain ahead of time what they may see and what will be expected of them. Let them know it’s okay to have feelings and ask questions. If a child becomes restless or disruptive, stepping out briefly can help maintain a respectful atmosphere for those who are grieving.

In some situations, embalming may be required, particularly if you plan to have a viewing prior to cremation. Embalming is a process that sanitizes and temporarily preserves the body after death. It can also help restore a more natural appearance when illness or injury has occurred.

By preserving the body through embalming, families are given additional time to plan personalized and meaningful services, allowing loved ones to gather and say goodbye in a thoughtful, respectful setting.

No. In most cases, embalming is not required by law. However, many funeral homes require embalming if there will be a public viewing. If you choose not to have embalming, a private viewing prior to cremation may still be available with minimal preparation that does not include embalming.

The length of the cremation process can vary based on the individual and the type of casket or container used, but it typically takes between three and five hours.

Cremation of more than one person at the same time is illegal in the United States and many other countries, and cremation chambers are designed to accommodate only one individual at a time. The process is carefully regulated and follows strict procedures to ensure the highest standards of care.

All required documentation and authorizations are completed with local authorities, and a detailed checklist is followed at the crematory. A metal identification disk with a unique number accompanies your loved one from the time they are placed in our care through the entire cremation process. After cremation, this disk is securely attached to the container holding the cremated remains. These safeguards ensure that the remains returned to you belong solely to your loved one.

In most cases, the scattering of cremated remains is not heavily regulated by the government. However, many public spaces, including national and state parks, require advance permission and may have specific guidelines regarding where scattering is allowed. It’s best to check with the managing authority before proceeding.

If you plan to scatter remains on private property, permission from the landowner should be obtained first. Taking time to confirm local rules and being respectful of the setting will help ensure the process is handled appropriately and without complication.

A columbarium is a structure designed for the placement of urns containing cremated remains. These spaces are often found within mausoleums, chapels, or memorial gardens and feature individual compartments, called niches, created specifically to hold urns.

Grief does not end with the funeral, and healing takes time. Ongoing support in the weeks and months that follow can make a meaningful difference. Check in regularly with a phone call, note, or message, and continue to include the family in social invitations, allowing them to decide when they feel ready to participate.

Remembering important dates, such as birthdays, holidays, or anniversaries—especially during the first year after the loss—can also provide comfort. Simple, consistent gestures of care help remind the bereaved that they are not alone as they navigate their grief.

What you say often depends on whether you have already spoken with the bereaved about their loss. If you have previously shared condolences or attended the service, a warm greeting and a sincere inquiry about their wellbeing is appropriate.

If this is your first encounter since the death and you are in a public setting, it’s generally best not to bring up the loss directly. A gentle statement such as, “I know this has been a difficult time for you,” can acknowledge their situation without causing discomfort. You might also suggest connecting at another time, such as meeting for lunch or visiting when it feels appropriate.