Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if the death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend?

We are here to help, our funeral directors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year, you can reach us at 888-447-5411.

What if a death occurs away from my home town?

We are here to help, we can arrange to have the remains transported home from anywhere in the world.  We will assume responsibility and make the proper arrangements to have the remains return to the community.

What is embalming and what purpose does it serve?

Embalming sanitizes and preserves the body; it also slows down the decomposition process and enhances the appearance of the body damaged by traumatic death or illness.  Embalming gives time to the family of the deceased to arrange a service, and allows the family the option of having an open-casket viewing.

Is embalming required?

No.  In fact some religions forbid embalming.  However, in some cases, embalming is required by law in order for remains to be transported via certain means, i.e. commercial airlines.  If it is not against your religious custom, embalming is recommended, especially if there is an extended gap between death and burial or cremation.  Most families that we serve choose embalming.

Do we need to have an obituary notice and what is included in one?

It is highly recommended to have an obituary notice that’s either placed in a local newspaper, or placed online.  An obituary lets the public know that a death has occurred, and gives them information about the service.  Obituaries generally include the deceased’s full name, age, city and date of birth and the city they were living in when they died.  It also includes the name of the deceased’s spouse, along with the names of anyone else significant in their lives, such as parents, children or grandchildren.  Today's newspaper obituary often comes at a price, and are often very short to minimize the costs.  Whereas the online obituary on our memorial website offers you the chance to add a lot more about the deceased.

What do I do if I am not satisfied with the way a funeral was handled?

Funeral Services in the United States is regulated by the Federal Trade Commission, they can be reached by telephone at 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357) or you can fill out a form online at www.ftc.gov.  In Canada, funeral services are regulated provincially and this information can be found on the Canadian Consumer Information website at www.consumerinformation.ca