|
|
|
|
Question: What is the significance of a funeral service?
Answer: From the beginning of history, societies have honored those who passed through a ceremony. Today, many experts agree that the benefits of a service are for those who are left behind after a death. To help survivors adjust to their loss and recognize that a death has occurred, a “closure” of sorts must occur. A funeral service provides the opportunity for friends and family to celebrate the life that was lived and allow the healing process to begin.
|
Question: How much does an average funeral cost?
Answer: Funeral costs vary depending on the type of service you select. There are three types of costs associated with a funeral; services provided by the funeral home, merchandise such as a casket, and incidental expenses such as cemetery charges and other items not directly provided by the funeral home. The average cost of a traditional funeral today is approximately $7,500. This includes professional services of the funeral director and staff, embalming, use of the facilities for visitation and the funeral service, the transfer from place of death to the funeral home, necessary vehicles, and a moderately priced casket and concrete vault. This cost may not include the incidental expenses which have already been paid directly. The cost may also be higher or lower depending on the merchandise and the services you select. At Egan-Ryan Funeral Home, we have caskets ranging from $795 to $10,000 as well as a wide selection of urns and vaults. The selection of services, which can vary from a traditional funeral service with visitation to a direct cremation without memorial service, will also affect your funeral cost.
|
Question: What should I be prepared to provide when going to the funeral home to make funeral arrangements?
Answer: Making funeral arrangements can be quite detailed, but our directors will guide you through arrangements. If prearrangements are not in place, we will need information for filing the death certificate, i.e.: full name of the deceased, city and state of birth, date of birth, Social Security Number, Spouse’s full name, last residence address, occupation, Veteran’s status, Father’s full name, Mother’s full name including maiden name as well as the name, address and phone of responsibility party. We will obtain information regarding the services to be held, such as: date, time and place, cemetery location, clergy, music, pallbearers, any preceded family members, surviving family members and any memorials in lieu of flowers for the newspaper obituary. We will need the chosen clothing for the deceased, or clothing selected from the funeral home’s garment display, a photo for cosmetology and hairstyling and, if preferred, placement in newspaper obituary.
|
Question: Can you help us with our insurance claim?
Answer: We're here to help. We know that filing insurance claims can be a confusing, time-consuming procedure, and unfamiliar forms are just another added burden. That is the reason that many families ask us if we can assist in handling life insurance policies. We have assignment forms and can acquire claim forms from your insurance company. We are familiar with how they should be completed and can make sure that these important benefits are obtained without delay. We know that this is the kind of extra service that families appreciate -- especially in times of stress.
|
Question: I'm considering cremation, but my family has concerns about it. What choices are there?
Answer: Concerns about cremation often come about through misunderstandings and misinformation. When death of a loved one occurs, the family needs and generally wants the time to gather, to experience the support of one another, their faith and the community. A religious service and other cultural traditions and experiences associated with a funeral can and should take place whether burial or cremation is chosen. Many families today choosing cremation elect to have a traditional viewing and church service prior to cremation. We offer a range of cremation oriented services which provide the opportunity for family and friends to gather, for clergy to be present, and for the death of a loved one to be marked in an appropriate manner.
|
Question: Where does the Catholic Church stand on cremation?
Answer: Because traditional funeral rites are intended to honor the body of the deceased, it is still preferred by the Catholic Church that the physical body of the deceased be present during the mass. After the traditional rites of the service have been performed, cremation is carried out. We have a brochure available entitled “Cremation For Catholics” that explains more fully the Catholic Church’s position. You may request one by phone or through our Contact Information page here on our web site.
|
Question: As a United States veteran, will the Veterans Administration pay for my funeral expenses?
Answer: Each veteran, honorably discharged, is entitled to a burial flag and a government grave marker for an unmarked grave. In certain circumstances, a veteran may be eligible for monetary benefits. These may include a burial allowance of $300, a plot allowance of $150 and some transportation expenses. If the death is ruled to be service connected, there may be additional monies available. The funeral directors at Egan-Ryan Funeral Home can give you more information as needed.
|
Question: How much will Social Security pay toward my funeral expenses?
Answer: The Social Security Administration may pay a lump sum death benefit of $255 to the surviving spouse provided the deceased and their spouse were living together at the time of death. Entitled children may be eligible to receive the lump sum benefit if the deceased was received monthly benefits at the time of death. Further information regarding benefits that you or your family may be eligible for can be obtained by calling the Social Security Administration directly at (800) 772-1213 or visiting their website at www.ssa.gov .
|
Question: Can funeral arrangements be planned and, if desired, paid for in advance?
Answer: Yes they can. Many people find that advance planning gives them peace of mind knowing that their wishes will be carried out and the burden lessened on their family at the time of their death. Some find they need to protect their assets and assure their funeral expenses will be taken care of.
Preplanning your funeral consists of meeting with us to record biographical information for your file so that it will be available to begin the necessary paperwork at the time of death. It also provides the basis for completion of an obituary notice. Through advance planning you can choose the type of services you desire as well as the type casket, outer burial container or cremation urn. Special clothing, flowers or music may be listed for reference later.
Once these pre-arrangements are made, you may decide to prepay your funeral to secure the price at today's cost. The interest that accumulates on your funds is then used to offset the increase in cost. At Egan-Ryan Funeral Home, we use several funding vehicles such as insurance and trusts. We guarantee that your funeral funds will be secure and protected.
|
Question: What happens to my pre-arrangement should I choose to move?
Answer: Most prepaid arrangements are established using an irrevocable contract to protect the funds from being acquired by the State, the funeral home or the family before death occurs. Your arrangements, however, are always under your control and may be transferred to another funeral home should the need or the reason arise.
|
Question: Can a pre-arrangement be transferred to Egan-Ryan Funeral Home?
Answer: Yes. We welcome pre-arrangement transfers. If you have an existing pre-arrangement and would like to use Egan - Ryan Funeral Home, we invite you to bring what papers you have and talk with our funeral directors about the transfer.
|
Question: I have a question that is not answered here.
Answer: We welcome the opportunity to answer that for you. Simply call, stop in, or contact us through the Contact Information page of the web site and we will see that whatever questions you have are answered.
|
|
|
|
|
