Frequently Asked Questions
Since death and funerals are not topics we easily discuss, suddenly having to deal with these issues can be difficult, if not frightening. Learning some simple facts can ease fears and clear up myths and misinformation. We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions about funerals so that you can have the information you need to feel more comfortable with the funeral experience.
My loved one just passed away. What do I do?
First, death must be officially pronounced by someone with the authority to do so. If death occurred in your home, unattended by medical personnel, an official such as the sheriff or county coroner must be called to your home to officially pronounce death. If your loved one was terminally ill and under hospice care, the hospice nurse is usually authorized to make the official pronouncement. When death occurs in a hospital, the doctor will pronounce death.
Once death is officially pronounced you must contact us to arrange for removal of the deceased body.
How soon should I contact Central Cremation Services?
You can call Central Cremation Services 706-693-0823 or 678-215-7896 as soon as the official pronouncement of death has been made. Most funeral directors are available 24 hours a day, so there is no need to wait for regular business hours. Your conversation with the funeral director will include arranging for removal of the body, as well as, setting an appointment for the family to come into the funeral home to make arrangements.
Who is responsible for making funeral arrangements?
Oftentimes, next of kin, immediate family members and sometimes, close friends, wish to participate in planning the funeral of their loved one. While their input is usually taken into consideration, the official responsibility falls on the person with the legal authority to sign the authorization for the funeral service. This person may be the Executor of the will, or a designated next of kin. It is important to understand that signing the authorization for the funeral service means accepting the financial responsibility for the funeral.
If I chose cremation does this mean I won’t be able to have a funeral?
Most funeral homes like ours offer a wide variety of funeral options, combined with cremation, designed to meet your personal preferences, financial and religious considerations. Most funeral services occur after cremation has taken place. Families can opt for a viewing prior to cremation. Its just a matter of talking to your Funeral Director to make your wishes known.
Does the Funeral Director also handle the arrangements for the cemetery if we use one.
In most cases you will be required to make separate arrangements with the cemetery for a plot or final disposition place. We can assist with and arrange the opening and closing of the grave. Once the arrangements are made, the Funeral Director will coordinate with the cemetery to conduct the burial of the cremains.
How much does a funeral cost?
While our base cremation package starts at $895.00 the cost of a funeral will be determined by you and your family as you make your selections from the professional service fees, urn cost and disbursements. The funeral director should present you with a General Price List. You will notice that some costs are basic to every funeral. However, you will also be presented with a wide range of funeral services and additional items from which to choose. Use the price list to guide your selections and prevent your emotions from taking over. It’s important that you stay in line with the family or estate budget.
Doesn’t Social Security pay for my funeral costs?
Social Security pays a one-time, lump sum death benefit in the amount of $255, to the surviving spouse or a dependent child. Details
How many death certificates will I need and where do I get them?
A death certificate is a legal document required to conclude the business of your loved one. If the deceased had a will, trust, checking or savings accounts not held jointly (1 for each account), certificates of deposit not held jointly, safety deposit box, stocks or bonds (1 for each corporation), insurance policies (1 for each company), credit cards and transfer of real and personal property not held jointly you will have to present a certified copy to those entities responsible for settling these accounts.
You will also need copies to file for union benefits, Social Security benefits, Veteran’s benefits and Welfare benefits. In most cases, photocopies will not be accepted.
The cost of a official death certificates, and how many will be discussed when arrangements are made.
It is wise to order a few additional copies to meet any unexpected contingencies, such as discovering an insurance policy or bank account that no one knew about. Ordering certified copies a month or two after the funeral can sometimes result in delays of up to six weeks.
What other items should I bring when making arrangements?
Obituary information. You should take some time at home with your family to draft a summary of the contents. Be sure to include the correct spelling of family, friends, medical support and locations to be mentioned in the text. Include education, hobbies, employment and life achievements (including military), as well as addresses for donations. Also, you may desire a special poem, religious verse or quote. It is best to type all of the above as legible as possible, thus, preventing translation errors. The newspaper can also assist is you publish in the newspaper. Be sure to obtain your own typed digital copy as you will need it for an online memorial. Central Cremation Services will publish the final digital proof of the obituary or life story on the online memorial site of the deceased. Please see our obit writing guide and instructions here for being able to send us your completed obituary. You can also send us a digital photo to use for the main picture on our Obit Writing Guide Page.
Bring information required for the death certificate. Although every state has different requirements, these are the basics: The deceased person's legal name; Social Security Number; date of birth and date of death; birthplace (city and state, territory or foreign country); residence and Zip Code (city and county); marital status at time of death; surviving spouse's name; military service; legal names of the decedent's father and mother (including the mother's maiden name), their birthplaces (state, territory, foreign country); the decedent's usual occupation (type of work done during most of his/her working life); the kind of business; education info (what best describes the highest level of schooling completed).
Military documents. You will need to bring the "Military Separation" papers (i.e. the DD214 separation papers). If you cannot locate them, you will at least need the military service number. Visit the VA website for more information. An honorably discharged veteran is entitled to a flag, a memorial marker and military honors.
Special tributes. Families sometimes want to add that personal touch by exhibiting Mom's quilts or hand-crafted jewelry. If Dad was an avid fisherman, you may want to bring photos of his catches etc.
My loved one just passed away. What do I do?
First, death must be officially pronounced by someone with the authority to do so. If death occurred in your home, unattended by medical personnel, an official such as the sheriff or county coroner must be called to your home to officially pronounce death. If your loved one was terminally ill and under hospice care, the hospice nurse is usually authorized to make the official pronouncement. When death occurs in a hospital, the doctor will pronounce death.
Once death is officially pronounced you must contact us to arrange for removal of the deceased body.
How soon should I contact Central Cremation Services?
You can call Central Cremation Services 706-693-0823 or 678-215-7896 as soon as the official pronouncement of death has been made. Most funeral directors are available 24 hours a day, so there is no need to wait for regular business hours. Your conversation with the funeral director will include arranging for removal of the body, as well as, setting an appointment for the family to come into the funeral home to make arrangements.
Who is responsible for making funeral arrangements?
Oftentimes, next of kin, immediate family members and sometimes, close friends, wish to participate in planning the funeral of their loved one. While their input is usually taken into consideration, the official responsibility falls on the person with the legal authority to sign the authorization for the funeral service. This person may be the Executor of the will, or a designated next of kin. It is important to understand that signing the authorization for the funeral service means accepting the financial responsibility for the funeral.
If I chose cremation does this mean I won’t be able to have a funeral?
Most funeral homes like ours offer a wide variety of funeral options, combined with cremation, designed to meet your personal preferences, financial and religious considerations. Most funeral services occur after cremation has taken place. Families can opt for a viewing prior to cremation. Its just a matter of talking to your Funeral Director to make your wishes known.
Does the Funeral Director also handle the arrangements for the cemetery if we use one.
In most cases you will be required to make separate arrangements with the cemetery for a plot or final disposition place. We can assist with and arrange the opening and closing of the grave. Once the arrangements are made, the Funeral Director will coordinate with the cemetery to conduct the burial of the cremains.
How much does a funeral cost?
While our base cremation package starts at $895.00 the cost of a funeral will be determined by you and your family as you make your selections from the professional service fees, urn cost and disbursements. The funeral director should present you with a General Price List. You will notice that some costs are basic to every funeral. However, you will also be presented with a wide range of funeral services and additional items from which to choose. Use the price list to guide your selections and prevent your emotions from taking over. It’s important that you stay in line with the family or estate budget.
Doesn’t Social Security pay for my funeral costs?
Social Security pays a one-time, lump sum death benefit in the amount of $255, to the surviving spouse or a dependent child. Details
How many death certificates will I need and where do I get them?
A death certificate is a legal document required to conclude the business of your loved one. If the deceased had a will, trust, checking or savings accounts not held jointly (1 for each account), certificates of deposit not held jointly, safety deposit box, stocks or bonds (1 for each corporation), insurance policies (1 for each company), credit cards and transfer of real and personal property not held jointly you will have to present a certified copy to those entities responsible for settling these accounts.
You will also need copies to file for union benefits, Social Security benefits, Veteran’s benefits and Welfare benefits. In most cases, photocopies will not be accepted.
The cost of a official death certificates, and how many will be discussed when arrangements are made.
It is wise to order a few additional copies to meet any unexpected contingencies, such as discovering an insurance policy or bank account that no one knew about. Ordering certified copies a month or two after the funeral can sometimes result in delays of up to six weeks.
What other items should I bring when making arrangements?
Obituary information. You should take some time at home with your family to draft a summary of the contents. Be sure to include the correct spelling of family, friends, medical support and locations to be mentioned in the text. Include education, hobbies, employment and life achievements (including military), as well as addresses for donations. Also, you may desire a special poem, religious verse or quote. It is best to type all of the above as legible as possible, thus, preventing translation errors. The newspaper can also assist is you publish in the newspaper. Be sure to obtain your own typed digital copy as you will need it for an online memorial. Central Cremation Services will publish the final digital proof of the obituary or life story on the online memorial site of the deceased. Please see our obit writing guide and instructions here for being able to send us your completed obituary. You can also send us a digital photo to use for the main picture on our Obit Writing Guide Page.
Bring information required for the death certificate. Although every state has different requirements, these are the basics: The deceased person's legal name; Social Security Number; date of birth and date of death; birthplace (city and state, territory or foreign country); residence and Zip Code (city and county); marital status at time of death; surviving spouse's name; military service; legal names of the decedent's father and mother (including the mother's maiden name), their birthplaces (state, territory, foreign country); the decedent's usual occupation (type of work done during most of his/her working life); the kind of business; education info (what best describes the highest level of schooling completed).
Military documents. You will need to bring the "Military Separation" papers (i.e. the DD214 separation papers). If you cannot locate them, you will at least need the military service number. Visit the VA website for more information. An honorably discharged veteran is entitled to a flag, a memorial marker and military honors.
Special tributes. Families sometimes want to add that personal touch by exhibiting Mom's quilts or hand-crafted jewelry. If Dad was an avid fisherman, you may want to bring photos of his catches etc.
