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SERVICES
| It is your right,
and
my desire, that you have as complete an understanding as possible regarding
the cost of funeral services.
A big factor is the time element
in terms of personnel and the use of the funeral home facilities.
The maintenance of this service is unending:
that is, it must be available 24 hours every day of the year. Therefore,
ours is a 168 hour week, and not the 40 hour week which is the accepted
standard.
Many phases of our work are apparent; others
are not. The following analysis of some of these details will help
you understand that no two funerals are exactly alike. Traditions,
customs, social standing, personal feeling, financial ability and a multitude
of other influences affect each funeral. Our service must conform
to each individual family's wishes and their personal and religious needs.
Generally, funerals are divided into four
categories: Professional Services,
Use
of Facilities & Equipment, Merchandise,
and Cash Disbursements. |
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Professional
Services
1. Complete Arrangements,
Supervision, and Direction of Funeral.
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a.
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Meeting with the
family to:
Secure vital statistic
information
Obtain obituary
information
Complete itemized
cost agreement
Select Funeral Merchandise |
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b.
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Coordinate times of the following
services as needed:
Clergy
Necessary automotive equipment for
convenience of family - including
hearse
Hairdresser
Civic Associations |
Fraternal Organizations
Cemetery or Crematory
Lodges or other organizations
Veterans Associations
Vault Company |
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c.
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Complete Death Certificate with vital
statistic information |
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d.
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Obtain the signature and medical information
from the attending physician or medical examiner (coroner) |
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e.
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File completed and signed certificate
with Registrar of Vital Statistics in municipality where the death occurred,
and obtain a Burial Permit and as many certified copies as necessary, for
the family's needs. |
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f.
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Call obituary information to all radio
and newspapers requested by family. |
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g.
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Care for all flowers (deliver to home,
cemetery or local nursing home). |
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h.
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Remove all flower cards and sympathy cards
for family to acknowledge. |
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i.
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Print folders when applicable. |
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j.
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Complete all necessary forms such as:
VA Benefits
State and Federal forms required by law |
Cemetery or crematory
Social Security |
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k.
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Answer all telephone calls - give out
funeral information to family, lodge members, business associates, florists,
and friends with regard to funeral services to be held. |
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l.
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Arrange flowers for best appearance. |
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m.
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Have door attendant during all visitations. |
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n.
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Assist in conducting the funeral service
according to the family's wishes. |
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o.
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Provide pre & post need counseling. |
| The above services require an average
of 80 man hours per funeral. In addition to all of the above, there
is a competent and understanding person to answer the telephone, 24 hours
a day, 365 days a year. A funeral home does not close on weekends
or holidays. |
2. Preparation and care of Deceased,
including embalming when necessary.
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a.
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Hygienically prepared to insure protection
to personnel and the public. A decedent who has a contagious or infectious
disease requires special care and treatment in excess of the regular preparation. |
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b.
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Embalming, including the proper handling
of related hazardous substances. |
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c.
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Shampooing and shaving. |
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d.
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Dressing and casketing. |
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e.
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Applying cosmetics. Extra care is necessary
with regard to bruises, cuts, abrasions, and burns. |
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Cash
Disbursements
| This represents all of the monies that
we pay in advance for you, such as cemetery or crematory charges, clergy
honorariums, air transportation, newspaper charges, church offerings, singers,
organists, hairdressers & certified copies of the death certificates.
Most of these items must be paid in advance,
therefore, as a convenience to the family, we pay them on your behalf. |
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CODE
OF GOOD FUNERAL PRACTICE
As funeral directors, our calling imposes
upon us special responsibilities to those we serve and to the public at
large. Chief among them is the obligation to inform the public so
that everyone can make knowledgeable decisions about funerals and funeral
directors. |
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If
you have any questions on this information or any other aspect of the funeral,
feel free to call us.
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