FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Our FAQ Section is full of useful information to help you through all the stages of planning a funeral service. If you have any questions or would prefer to speak with someone directly, please contact us.

When You Meet With the Funeral Director

Without a doubt, this is a difficult time for you and your loved ones. Yet, it’s comforting to know every member of the funeral home staff will be there to do their utmost to make this difficult time a little bit easier. The Funeral Director will guide you in making all the necessary decisions. It’s good to know you are not alone.

Would You Like Someone To Go With You?

Perhaps you’d like another member of the family to come along with you. Or maybe you’d rather have a friend join you in the first visit to the funeral home. While it’s not necessary to bring someone with you for moral support, it can be very beneficial.

Who is Responsible for Making the Decision?

It’s important to know exactly who is legally responsible for making the funeral arrangement decisions for a loved one. If the deceased has not expressed their wishes through a written document such as a Last Will and Testament, where the deceased has designated an agent to fulfill their wishes; then the chain of command is commonly as follows:
  • A person designated in writing pursuant to Public Health Law section 4201 (3)
  • Legal Spouse
  • Surviving Adult Child/Children
  • Surviving Parent
  • Surviving Adult Sibling
  • Parent of Minor Child
  • A lawfully appointed guardian
  • A person 18 years of age or older who is the closest in relation to the deceased. The person designated as the responsible party, whoever they may be, needs to be present to make decisions, and sign documents. If you have questions about the accepted kinship-related order of precedence, call us.

Have You Gathered the Necessary Documents?

Life and death are full of legalities. When a loved one dies, it is not just an emotional matter for those left behind; it is a legal one which requires the timely completion of paperwork. The Funeral Director will tell you that the first step in caring for your loved one involves completing, and filing, the Death Certificate and Burial or Cremation permit. These documents need to be completed as accurately as possible. To assist the funeral home in preparing all the necessary documents, it’s helpful to bring some of the following things with you if you have them:
  • Deceased's Birth Certificate
  • Deceased's Marriage Certificate
  • Deceased's Military Discharge papers
  • Deceased's Funeral pre-arrangements documents (if applicable)
  • Deceased’s Life insurance Policies
  • Cemetery documentation (Deed to the grave)
If you’ve got questions about the legal documents you should bring with you, please contact us.

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