Why have a public viewing?
Viewing is part of many cultural and ethnic traditions. Many grief specialists believe that viewing aids the grief process by helping the bereaved recognize the reality of death. Viewing is encouraged for children, as long as the process is explained and the activity voluntary.
- Why are funerals so expensive?
When compared to other major life cycle events, like births and weddings, funerals are not expensive. Like a wedding, a funeral service involves facilities, merchandise, and people to assist and coordinate so that everything runs smoothly. Unlike a wedding, a funeral is typically planned within ...
- What recourse does a consumer have for poor service or overcharging?
Funeral service is regulated by the FTC and state licensing boards. In most cases, the consumer should discuss problems with the funeral director first. If the dispute cannot be solved by talking with the funeral director, the consumer may wish to contact the Funeral Service Consumer Assistance ...
- What purpose does a funeral serve?
It is the customary way to recognize death and its finality. Funerals are recognized rituals for the living to show respect for the dead and to help survivors begin the grief process.
- What is the purpose of embalming?
Embalming sanitizes and preserves the body, retards the decomposition process, and enhances the appearance of a body disfigured by traumatic death or illness. Embalming makes it possible to lengthen the time between death and the final disposition, thus allowing family members time to arrange an ...
- What do funeral directors do?
Funeral directors are caregivers and administrators. They make the arrangements for transportation of the body, complete all necessary paperwork, and implement the choices made by the family regarding the funeral and final disposition of the body. Funeral directors are listeners, advisors and su ...
- Is it illegal for persons other than a licensed funeral director makes funeral arrangements, prepare the body, or supervise the burial?
Yes.
- Is cremation a substitute for a funeral?
No, cremation is an alternative to earth burial or entombment for the body's final disposition and often follows a traditional funeral service.
- How much does a funeral cost?
In 1998 the national average charge for an adult, full-service funeral, was $5,020. This included professional service charges, transfer-of remains, embalming, other preparation, use of viewing facilities, and use of facilities for ceremony, hearse, limousine, and casket. The casket included in ...
- How do I prepare a child for a funeral?
It is very suitable for children to be involved in a funeral. The more they understand about the visitation and the funeral service before arriving, the more comfortable they are likely to be. A funeral home is a place where people gather when someone dies. People share memories and offer to the ...
- Do funeral directors take advantage of the bereaved?
For the most part, funeral directors are caring individuals who help people deal with a very stressful time. They serve the same families 80% of the time, and many have spent most of their lives in the same community. However, there are some funeral directors that do take advantage of the bereaved.
