Needed Information

Cell Phones for Soldiers

We are currently participating in the Cell Phones for Soldiers drive. We are an official drop off point for unwanted cell phones. These cell phones will be given to soldiers overseas so they will have the ability to contact their loved ones.

Attending to Details

We are always ready, at a moment’s notice, to respond to the needs of the bereaved.

When death occurs you will meet as soon as possible with us to review personal information about the deceased in order to complete the death certificate and prepare the obituary.

Prior to this consultation, you should also ascertain whether the deceased had preplanned for the funeral. This set of instructions will aid you greatly in assuring that the wishes of the deceased are carried out, and will take much of the decision-making burden from your shoulders. If arrangements have been made with another firm we can assist in having those arrangements transferred to us.

The Obituary Announcement:

With your assistance, we will prepare the obituary for publication in the newspapers. This notifies people of the time and place for visitation and the funeral services. We can also send notices to papers in other localities, often former places of residence of the deceased. We can advise you of the most effective and informative notices to send.

The Paperwork:

Unfortunately, there will be a lot of paperwork. But you won’t have to contend with it on your own. We can assist you in securing all the benefits rightfully due your family. We can answer many of your questions, guide you to the proper resources, and assist in much of the paperwork required to file for insurance, Social Security and Veterans Administration benefits. Some of the assistance we can provide includes the following:

• Help you obtain the required certified copies of the death certificate necessary to file for insurance benefits.

• Send an appropriate form of the death certificate to the district Social Security office.

• Direct you to your nearest Social Security office to determine current benefits and to file a claim, including Survivor benefits, and Medicare benefits to help pay the final medical bills if the deceased was 65 or over.

• Obtain an American flag for placement on the casket for any honorably discharged veteran; and set up an honor guard to perform military honors at the grave site of the deceased veteran.

• Assist you in applying for a veteran’s grave marker and in making arrangements for burial in a national cemetery for eligible veterans and family members.

MAKING PLANS FOR THE FUNERAL

Throughout all the planning, we will be respectful of the family's wishes. We can make suggestions and help guide you through the many decisions that have to be made. The visitation and funeral can be a valuable experience as it meets the religious, social and emotional needs of those who are grieving. The funeral arrangements are particularly important in giving friends and family a meaningful way to express themselves.

The Visitation:

With our assistance, you will decide the time, place of the funeral service and the day and time of the visitation. Usually, the visitation will be held at the funeral home. During visitation hours at the funeral home, your funeral director assists you in the reception of those who call. Whether you prefer a small or large gathering, your funeral director can help you make arrangements to best suit your wishes.

The Service:

We will help you arrange a service that will best satisfy the preferences of you and your family. Funerals can be held in our chapel, the family church, the cemetery or another appropriate setting for the service where an atmosphere of comfort, beauty and reverence is offered.
If you are not affiliated with a church, but wish to have a religious service, your funeral director can suggest a clergy. If a non-traditional service is desired, he or she can suggest alternatives that maintain the positive values and dignity of the funeral.

The Tribute:

You will also consider what kind of tribute you may wish to make. A suitable tribute might include a eulogy or personal remark either by the clergy or a close personal friend. Biblical passages, favorite poetry or other appropriate readings may be chosen. You may also wish to include music, both for its beauty and symbolic significance. We will assist you in all your decisions… If the deceased was a member of a fraternal group or similar organizations, associate rituals may be incorporated into the plans being made for the funeral.

Flowers and Flags:

The family may choose to place a floral spray from the family on the casket, which would be delivered just before the visitation period begins. We can advise you, on the various types and help with the ordering of the spray. The caskets of veterans may be draped with an American flag. We can obtain an American flag without charge from the Veterans Administration for you. After burial, this flag is presented to the next-of-kin.

Casket Bearers:

Together with other family members, you will select casket bearers to be notified by us or a member of the family. Honorary casket bearers may also be chosen, not to assist in carrying the casket, but to honor the memory of the deceased.