Every family is different, and not everyone wants the same type of funeral. Funeral practices are influenced by religious and cultural traditions, costs and personal preferences. These factors help determine whether the funeral will be elaborate or simple, public or private, religious or secular, and where it will be held. They also influence whether the body will be present at the funeral, if there will be a viewing or visitation, and if so, whether the casket will be open or closed, and whether the remains will be buried or cremated.

Among the choices you'll need to make is whether you want one of these basic types of funerals, or something in between.

Traditional “Full Service Funeral”

This type of funeral, often referred to by funeral providers as a "traditional" funeral, usually includes a viewing or visitation and formal funeral service, use of a hearse to transport the body to the funeral site and cemetery, and burial, entombment or cremation of the remains. It is generally the most expensive type of funeral. In addition to the funeral home's basic services fee, costs often include embalming and dressing the body; rental of the funeral home for the viewing or service; and use of vehicles to transport the family if they don't use their own. The costs of a casket, cemetery plots or crypt and other funeral goods and services also must be factored in.

A traditional service for burial, entombment or cremation, is usually the service of choice. At our mortuaries we believe in the traditional funeral, because it often best serves the needs of family and friends.

The traditional funeral service may be the following:

  • Casket
  • Transfer of the deceased to the funeral home
  • Embalming
  • Dressing, cosmetology and other care of the deceased
  • Professional support and administrative staff assistance
  • Use of visitation rooms
  • General use of the facilities for the service and arrangements
  • Funeral service
  • Use of funeral coach
  • Limousine
  • Utility car
  • Register book
  • Acknowledgment cards
  • Memorial folders or prayer cards

The traditional service is a meaningful expression for the family, and it gives friends and associates an opportunity to offer their tributes in the way of flowers or memorials to churches or organizations.

Generally, a member of the clergy or other person chosen by the family conducts a service of remembrance. We encourage the active participation of the family in helping plan this part of the service. Many times family members take part by giving a reading, singing or assisting the clergy.

Direct Burial

The body is buried shortly after death, usually in a simple container. No viewing or visitation is involved, so no embalming is necessary. A memorial service may be held at the graveside or later. Direct burial usually costs less than the "traditional," full-service funeral. Costs include the funeral home's basic services fee, as well as transportation and care of the body, the purchase of a casket or burial container and a cemetery plot or crypt. If the family chooses to be at the cemetery for the burial, the funeral home often charges an additional fee for a graveside service.