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Selecting a Casket
Whether you are pre-planning for yourself, or choosing for a loved one,
casket selection is a very personal decision, and an expression of your feelings.
You may select the beauty of wood, or the brilliance of fine metal. You may
prefer tailored simplicity or a more elaborate design. A casket selection which
reflects the personality and taste of your loved one can be your final tribute
to their life… A wide variety of caskets, in many price ranges, are available.
We are here as an invaluable source to provide you with all the information you
need to make a selection.
Selecting a Burial Vault
Although not required by law, you may desire to select a burial vault; a
sealed, warranted and lined outer receptacle used in cemeteries for underground
interment. Outer burial containers may be required by some cemeteries to help
preserve the beauty of the property and reduce maintenance costs by supporting
the weight of the earth and heavy equipment that may pass over the grave.
Usually, the vault is set at the grave prior to interment. A brief service may
be held at the grave, when the casket is interred. After the service, the cover
will be placed over the base and the grave will be filled and compacted.
Burial Site
We can assist you with final disposition details. Even if the burial is to
take place in another city or even another country. If the deceased had some
definite feelings about where the burial should take place, arrangements for
cemetery property may have been made in advance. If burial property needs to be
acquired, we can assist you.
Cremation Choices
If cremation is preferred, you will still be able to make the same decisions
concerning the visitation and service. For a cremation service, you may select a
casket for the visitation or viewing, and an urn for the cremated remains. If
you choose not to have a viewing, you will still need to select a casket or alternative container. After cremation, many people prefer to
bury the urn. While not required by law, many cemeteries do require the use of
an urn vault. Again, many choices are available. Above-ground entombment,
permanent possession or scattering are other choices for final disposition. You
also have the opportunity for memorialization.
Monuments
A monument or marker can be installed shortly after the funeral, or you may
postpone this decision until some time in the future. It is wise to check with
the cemetery official beforehand to learn about any restrictions in size or
style. You may select an individual monument, engraved to your specifications,
or a family monument to mark two or more adjoining graves. In the second case,
when future burials are made, pertinent data can be inscribed in matching
lettering on the same stone. You may visit our monument gallery to get an idea
of what may be desired.
Understanding Funeral Costs
We welcome your questions about costs because experience suggests the more
completely you understand funeral costs, the less chance there will be for
apprehension or misunderstanding. There is a wide range of funeral services from
which to choose. Since each funeral is planned to meet the special needs of the
family, it is difficult to speak in generalities about the “typical” funeral or
“typical” costs. There are certain expenses basic to almost every funeral, but
many are determined by the selections that are made, the services specified and
the additional items requested. Keep in mind, all or part of the funeral
expenses may be covered by a portion of forthcoming life insurance benefits,
supplemented by any death benefits when applicable from Social Security, the
Veterans Administration, fraternal groups and others. The deceased may have also
made some prepaid arrangements which will cover all or most of the expenses.
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