FAQs

General Funeral Service | Preplanning | Cremation | Burial | Grieving

General Funeral Service

What do funeral directors do?
Funeral Directors are the intermediary families use to secure the appropriate care and service for their deceased family member. They are the liaison between the family and legal authorities, health care providers, religious entities and cemeteries and crematories. Funeral Directors are charged with assuring that what you need and want to have done regarding your service selections can and will be done appropriately.

What purpose does a funeral serve?
Funerals are for the living! Funerals are the event that allows a family and community to come together to show a family that they are not alone in their sadness, that the person who died was important not only to the family, but to the community. Funerals are the opportunity a family has to express their grief and allow others to do the same. Funerals allow people to begin the process of learning how to move forward now that an important member of their lives is no longer there.

Why are funerals so expensive?
Funerals are not expensive. Any major life event has a factor of expense, Christenings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, First Communions, graduations, birthdays and not to be forgotten - weddings. People do not express their observation of the incredible expense these celebrations can have as we are happier about why this expense has occurred. A funeral is not something you get a ‘Do Over!’ with. There is one opportunity to have this most major life event, the celebration of a life well lived, conducted and celebrated.

Will life insurance pay for funerals?
Life insurance funds can be applied to the funeral service fess. Not all funeral homes will accept life insurance assignments. Fox Funeral Home is able to process your life insurance claims either for assignment to the funeral home or just to get you started.

Why are public viewings important?
Public viewings allow people who could not be with the deceased prior to death to say goodbye face to face. Viewing of the deceased is a cathartic experience that helps to move people from the aspect of denial that this could happen to the knowledge that support of family and friends will be there to see us through the tough times in adjusting to this loss. Viewing of the body reaffirms that the care we have show the people we love while alive has in fact continued with the care they receive when dead.

How can I make sure my funeral arrangements are carried out according to my wishes?
If this a concern, you should have a recording with your funeral home, your lawyer and a family member who wishes to do as you have directed. Your lawyer can make sure that if sufficient funds are available your wishes can not be contradicted. Your funeral home can assist in setting up a trust account to place funeral funds. Your family member or friend will be able to direct your survivors to both the lawyer and funeral home, both of which will have records of your selections.

What are your payment options, both pre-need and at need?
Pre-need funds must be received in check form or electronic transfer. At-need funerals can be paid in any traditional manner including credit cards.

What is typically involved with making funeral arrangements?
There are discussions related to the care the deceased will need based on your service selections. There are discussions of service itinerary. There are discussions with other entities such as religious organizations, cemetery and/or crematory facilities. There are opportunities to select items of merchandise such as stationary, casket, vault or urn. There is the composing of obituaries and if needed service folders. When all of this is able to be summarized a statement of funeral goods and service is presented to relay the associated cost.

Should a child attend a funeral?
It is our experience that children benefit from attending funeral visitations and religious services. They do very well in the afternoons and tend to not do so well in the evenings as they tire. It is suggested that a family member or dear friend stay with the children at home during evening services. It is your judgment as the parent to decide if this will be okay for your child.

Do clergy always officiate at a funeral service?
There have been less conforming funeral services. Some families gather and conduct services that are more a reflection of the life lived and less focused on the religious protocols of a particular religion. Stories are shared, poems are read and music selections are enjoyed.

PrePlanning

Why should I prearrange my funeral or burial?
The impact of having your funeral plans recorded is best felt in the comfort the survivors get from knowing that your funeral selections are being followed. They have less to worry about and are able to participate rather than plan and worry that they are doing the right thing.

If I pre-plan and prepay my funeral or burial, how do I know that the money will be there when I die?
New York State has very tough laws regarding this. It is the law that all money placed in trust for a funeral can only be obtained by providing a Certified Death Certificate.

Can I transfer my pre-paid funeral from another funeral home to your funeral home?
Yes, your account can be transferred to another funeral firm.

Cremation

What Happens to the Cremated Remains?
After cremation the inert cremated material is returned to the family. The ashes can be kept at home, placed in a cemetery or arrangements can be made to have them taken out to sea.

What is involved in the cremation process?
The crematory introduces fire in the form of gas jets. After the ashes have cooled the remains are milled so that there are no identifiable fragments.

Is memorializing important when a loved one is cremated?
It is always suggested that a respectful location be selected for the ashes. There is a very strong need for people to know that the ashes are in a location that has meaning or reverence.

Can I still have a funeral service with the body present if I choose cremation?
Yes. The witnessing of the dead is a very strong human need. It lends importance and reverence to the gathering of family and friends.

Burial

What are my choices in ground burial?
Every cemetery has burial options that differ in the style of memorials that can be erected and in some cases if an additional grave liner or vault needs to be used.

What options are available besides ground burial?
Some families do not want to have a ground or earth burial, for them there is the option of mausoleum entombment. This is an above ground building that holds caskets.

Grieving

What is the best way to deal with the death of a loved one?
There is no best way to deal with such an important life experience. What worked for your friend may not help you the same way. Talk to your friends, your clergy and your doctor. Please refer to our resources section.

How can I help a child deal with the death of a loved one?
There are mental health professionals and grief counselors that should be the front line regarding this issue. They are trained to deal with children and can help them come to terms with what is happening as their lives change so dramatically. Pediatricians would be the avenue for initial referral. Please refer to our resources section.