Funeral Questions

Here are answers to questions about funerals you might have.

 

What is a funeral?

A funeral is any ceremony that offers an opportunity for family members and friends of the deceased to express love, respect, honor and grief for a loved one. Whether you choose traditional burial, cremation or green burial, a funeral offers the bereaved a place to celebrate life and take the first step towards healing.


What do funeral directors do?

Essentially, a funeral director is trained to anticipate your needs and help you decide on the details of your service. But, in the end, it is you who knows your loved one best, so a director is here to simply help arrange any type of service that will honor and celebrate your loved one. Directors can be caregivers, planners, organizers and advisors all at once. They are trained to answer questions about grief, recognize when a person’s having difficulty coping, and recommend sources of professional help. Funeral directors can also link survivors with support groups at the funeral home or in the community.


What type of service should I have?

You hold complete authority in shaping the service that feels right for you. Our experienced funeral directors are here to support you and provide all available choices, enabling you to craft a genuinely customized service that honors your loved one's memory. Infuse the service with cherished memories by selecting music they loved, readings that mirror their essence, or a particular type of flower that holds significance. Above all, the service should be a heartfelt reflection of your loved one and the lives they touched.


Can I personalize my funeral service?

Absolutely, in fact, we recommend it. After all, a funeral is a celebration of life and each life lived is unique. Funeral directors are happy to discuss any and all options to ensure your funeral is tailored to your wishes, and you’ll find that you can personalize services in many unique ways. You can reach out to us at any time to explore your options or view our service page for more information.


Is cremation a substitute for a funeral?

Cremation serves as an alternative way to lay a loved one to rest, and it often complements traditional funeral services. Additionally, our cemetery provides eco-friendly choices, like scattering ashes within our serene and picturesque grounds. Should you consider cremation, we're here to provide you with essential insights. We can guide you through various heartfelt options, from beautiful cremation burials to the meaningful act of scattering ashes, if this is a path you'd like to consider.


Can I have a visitation period and a funeral service if cremation is chosen?

Absolutely! Cremation does not mean you cannot have a visitation period and a funeral service. Cremation is simply one option for the final disposition of the body.


What is the purpose of embalming?

Embalming is a process to sanitize and preserve the body. It also makes it possible to lengthen the time between death and the final disposition, allowing family members time to arrange the type of service most comforting to them and begin their own healing processes. While this is a personal decision for you to make, the emotional benefits of viewing the deceased can be quite helpful, particularly to those who are having difficulty dealing with the death.


What should I do if the death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend?

We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All you need to do is call us at (661)339-9676. We can help lead you in the right direction.


What should I do if a death occurs while away from home?

Your funeral director can help you if a death occurs anywhere on the globe. The director will coordinate all arrangements needed to get your loved one safely back to his or her community.


Is embalming mandatory by law?

It is not, but there are factors of time and health that may make embalming appropriate or necessary. Please note that embalming may be required if the deceased is transported by air to another country where local laws need to be observed. You can always contact us if you have questions on this subject, as we know it can be an unfamiliar subject to many.

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