FAQs


FAQ_Featured

This frequently asked questions page contains our funeral information and advice. If you do not find the answer to your questions below, please write, call or drop by today to speak with a staff member about your concerns.

Our state laws do not require a vault for burial. However, most cemeteries do require an outside container for the casket. The purpose is two-fold: First, the outside receptacle keeps the earth from settling, thus preventing the unevenness of the land which makes the cemetery less attractive. Second, it allows cemetery caretakers to more easily maintain the landscape, which is an advantage to you in a more beautiful cemetery at a lower cost. A vault provides more durability than a grave liner. The vault is usually selected by the family because of their desire for further protection of their loved one in addition to the casket. There are many types of vaults and we would be happy to show you the differences.

It is difficult to give an average cost because funeral services vary so much. The total cost depends on three main areas: the services selected, the casket and vault chosen and the automotive equipment utilized. While national average for funeral costs would be from $5,800 to $8,000, in actuality it depends on what you select. We encourage people to ask questions and find out about the costs so they can make informed choices. Our firm is affordable because we offer so many different options, all with dignified service.

Cremation is a very personal decision. It is important to find out what is involved in cremation and discuss your choice with other family members to see if they are comfortable with the decision to cremate. If you are considering cremation, we recommend you speak with your clergy about it since some churches condone cremation, but do not approve of it. Whether you choose to be buried in the ground, entombed in a mausoleum or scattered at sea, it is important to decide whether or not to have a memorial service. Some people think if they are cremated they cannot have a service, which is not true. A memorial service recognizes the importance of the life that has been lived, and begins the grieving and healing process for friends and family.

It depends on the child and the circumstance. If a child has just experienced the loss of a grandparent or other family member, it may be necessary to discuss death earlier than usual. Some children mature faster than others and will often ask questions about life and death themselves. Most parents find that even in the preschool years, children want answers about why their pet died or what happens when you die. The important issue is not “when” you tell your children about death, but rather “how” you tell them. It is important to be honest and not resort to false stories such as “God picks the prettiest flowers” or “Grandma is asleep”. We have a practical brochure for explaining death to children, which will advise you step by step on the right words and attitude.

Death education is important because there are so many myths regarding death. If we understand it better, we are then better prepared to cope with grief. We explore topics such as: “How to explain death to children”, “Suicide Prevention”, “What are the stages of grief”, “How to help friends who have lost a loved one”, and “Various religious customs for funerals”.

Many people falsely believe that everyone has to have a “traditional” funeral. However, we believe that every service should be personalized in order to honor the person who has died and be meaningful to friends & family. We offer alternatives such as humanistic services instead of religious services, visitations with or without viewing, and unique ceremonies to honor the person who has died. For example, one of the most meaningful services when a teenager dies is to hold the service in the high school gymnasium with the school band playing and the principal or teacher making remarks. We try to be creative in helping the family make funeral arrangements so the decisions truly reflect their personal preferences and the life that has been lived.

Choosing a casket is a very personal decision. To many people, it is important to select a casket made of very durable steel or semi-precious metal. They feel peace of mind knowing the selection they made protects against the outside elements. Often, families will want to select a casket that seems fitting for their loved one such as, interiors with quilted patterns, hardwoods with tree designs, or religious symbols such as the Last Supper or praying hands. Sometimes floral designs are chosen to represent their family member’s favorite color or flower. Because we believe finding exactly what is right for you is very important; we offer many choices in caskets and vaults.

There certainly are many worthy charities. Experience shows that most people see value in both. For example, if the person died from cancer, a donation to the Cancer Society in memory of the individual is especially meaningful. At the same time, it is nice to send flowers to the remaining family members. There is nothing like the beauty of flowers to soften the sadness and truly express the caring felt by friends for the bereaved. The best way to understand the value of flowers is to attend a funeral where there are none. Then attend one where different floral arrangements have been sent and listen to the families when they see the flowers and read the attached notes.

Traditional funeral homes operate from large, very expensive buildings with parking for hundreds of cars, and very large rooms. The costs of operating these buildings necessitate higher prices.

There are many services traditional funeral homes include in their packages that many consumers consider unnecessary. By eliminating what families consider unimportant and concentrating on the fundamentals, our operating costs are much lower.

Yes, you can have visitations, private family viewings, memorial or funeral services with the casket open or closed prior to cremation or burial, or you can simply have a family identification.

Yes, we are familiar with all local cemeteries, and can arrange to transport your loved one to any cemetery in the world.

Our Funeral Directors are experienced and hold Funeral Director and Embalming licenses. The professional services we offer are not inferior in any way; we keep prices low through reduced facility overhead, and by offering simple funeral options.

Most services families want are available at much less cost. It is possible that the limited facilities might preclude us from providing every service a family might wish, in which case we would refer you to a full service, traditional funeral home.

Yes, we have crematories at two locations, in Milwaukee and Brookfield. Your loved one never leaves our care, so there is peace of mind knowing we do not outsource the cremations.

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