What is involved in cremation?

The body is often enclosed in a rigid container of combustible material. The container is placed in a cremation chamber where it undergoes up to three hours of direct flame, intense heat and evaporation. The container is consumed and the body is transformed into skeletal fragments, not fine ash as some people believe. The skeletal fragments are then reduced to fine granules or powder by pulverization.

Will my family and friends be affected if I choose cremation?

Each person reacts differently In the United States the number of people selecting cremation has risen in the last few years, indicating that our culture is adjusting to the concept. To safeguard your wishes, it is advisable to record all your decisions in advance.

What is appropriate?

Yes, a remembrance service is caring and meaningful event in which family and friends have an opportunity to honor their loved one and say a last "goodbye". Viewing the deceased body before cremation often helps the bereaved to accept the fact that a death has occurred and resolve grief more rapidly. One of the most important aspects of the service is to support and give comfort to the immediate family. Many families prefer to individualize the service by focusing on a special interest. This may include some aspect of the person's religion, family tradition, ethnic background, or occupation. The remembrance service will leave your family and friends with lasting memories of the years you spent together.

What happens to the remains after cremation?

Cremated remains, which weigh several pounds, are often placed in a memorial urn. Attractive and tastefully designed urns are available, from colorful ceramics to exotic woods and fine metals. There are selections to satisfy every need.

How can I make my wishes known in advance?

By meeting with a funeral or cemetery pre arrangement professional in the privacy of your home, you can learn about all of your options, state laws, prices, payment plans, and pre arrangement benefits. Your counselor will also make available to you a Communication of Intent. While it is not a legal document, it can be used to record your selection of cremation and memorial instructions. This valuable document informs your loved ones, and helps them follow through with your wishes.

WHY PRE-ARRANGE YOUR FUNERAL

No one likes to think about his or her own death. However, more and more people are choosing to pre-arrange their funerals. There are many advantages to pre-arranging a funeral. Here are just a few: 1. Pre-arrangement saves family and friends from having to make the many decisions involved in planning a funeral at a very sad and difficult time. 2. Pre- arrangement guarantees that your funeral is carried out according to your wishes. You choose the funeral home, the cemetery, the headstone or monument, the type casket and vault, the type service, your clothing, and other details. Leaving these decisions to others may cause disagreement among family members. 3. Pre-arrangement is often more economical. At the time of need, the family is faced with many choices involved in planning a funeral. Often, decisions are made out of guilt or grief, resulting in overspending. When you pre-plan the funeral, you make these decisions based on firsthand knowledge of the funeral situation of you and your family. When you pre-arrange, many funeral homes will "freeze" the price of your funeral. That way, the prices are based on today's economy, not tomorrow's. Some funeral homes will also allow you to finance the cost of the funeral with low down payments and no interest. You should also find out if the funeral home will refund your money, should you change your mind in the future. These are just a few of the reasons to think about pre-planning your funeral. If you choose to pre-arrange, take the time to price and compare. Talk to several different funeral homes since prices for the same funeral can vary, and never let yourself be pressured. If you feel you are being pressured, you are in the wrong place. You should feel comfortable with both the funeral home and its representatives.

HOW DOES PRE-ARRANGEMENT WORK

These days, more and more people are choosing to pre-arrange their funerals rather than leave major decisions to be made by family members at the time of need. Pre-arranging a funeral simply means making all the decisions ahead of time. You should talk to several funeral homes to find the one you are comfortable with and compare prices. But before yo youll, it helps to think about what you want, and what you can afford. Plan on visiting the funeral homes and speaking with their representatives before you make the final decision. Once you have chosen a funeral home, the representative will take time to go over all the necessary details with you. If you haven't chosen a cemetery, the funeral home can make recommendations. Once you've chosen the cemetery, the funeral home will coordinate the arrangement with them. You will need to choose a casket, and possibly a burial vault, although not all cemeteries require one. There are many options to choose from, and a wide range of prices. When planning your funeral service, you will need to decide if you want a public visitation and viewing before the service. You can choose who will preside over the service - a clergyman, a funeral director or both. Do you want any special music or readings during your service? The funeral home will also discuss transportation with you including whether or not you wish to have a limousine for your immediate family or close friends. You will also decide on your clothing. After all the decisions are made, the funeral home will prepare the necessary paperwork ahead of time so that it will be ready for your family at the time of need.

CEMETERIES AND MONUMENTS

Whether you are making funeral arrangements for a deceased person, or simply planning ahead for yourself or family, there are several important questions to ask when choosing a cemetery. Different cemeteries have different prices and policies, so it makes sense to call more than one. If you are also dealing with a funeral home, they may be able to make recommendations. First, find out if the cemetery requires a burial vault. Second, find out what type of headstones or markers the cemetery will allow. Most cemeteries also have rules and restrictions on decorating the grave, and some even have changes associated with leaving flowers or wreaths. You may also want to ask if the cemetery has a chapel. When purchasing the cemetery lot, you may want to consider purchasing more than one lot to include your spouse or children. However, be realistic and discuss the matter with these family members first. People often buy additional lots in advance, but as children grow up and move away, the lots may go unused. Finally, when choosing a cemetery, it doesn't hurt to visit, just to make sure the cemetery is well maintained. Some cemeteries sell monuments, although you are not required to buy from them. Before buying a monument, make sure that you know what the cemetery will allow. Once you have made a selection, the monument company will do the engraving for you, and will deliver and install the monument. However, the cost of these services, along with the cost of the monument itself, can vary, so price and compare before buying.

CAREER IN THE FUNERAL INDUSTRY

Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy helping people? Are you looking for satisfying work? There are opportunities being offered to represent area funeral homes as a Funeral Pre-Arrangement Counselor. Counselors can earn $30,000 + per year by giving 35-40 hours a week. Many counselors have backgrounds in sales, however, a number of successful counselors began with no sales experience at all. Maturity and attitude of being a self-starting individual is a plus as counselors help families plan some of the most important decisions they will ever make. Family counselors from different ethnic backgrounds have a growing opportunity as the nation's demographic profile becomes more diverse. Training includes product familiarization, development of sales skills, lead generation techniques, and sales presentation. Benefits can include for full time employees; medical and dental coverage, life insurance, prescription program, vision program, employee discounts, short and long term disability, stock purchase plan. As a professional counselor, your efforts can benefit families be helping them make funeral and cemetery arrangements before need. Such pre-arrangements spare family members the uncertainty, added expense, and intensified emotional burden that occurs when arrangements must be made at the time of death. Also, family counselors know "everyone needs this service that is provided" and receive self-satisfaction from the fact they have assisted others during a most difficult time.