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What is the significance of a funeral service?
How much does a funeral cost?
Is everything included in the price given to me by the funeral home?
Can I make my funeral arrangements before I die?
How many types of caskets exist, and why are some more expensive than the others?
What is embalming and is it necessary before services are held?
Can a funeral home assist me with Social Security benefits and Veteran death benefits?
What is involved in the cremation process?
Are special cremation containers and caskets available?
Are the services held before or after cremation?
What happens to the cremated remains?
I have already made arrangements and funded my funeral in advance. What if I move or want
to use another Funeral Home?
What is the significance of a funeral service?
From the beginning of recorded history, societies have honored those who died with a traditional
ceremony. According to beliefs at that time, the purpose of the ritual was to send the deceased
on his or her journey into the afterlife.
Today, however, many experts agree that the benefits of a service are for those who are left
behind after a death. A "closure" of sorts must occur to help survivors adjust to
their loss and recognize that a death has occurred. A funeral service provides the opportunity
for friends and family to celebrate the life that was lived and allow the healing process
to begin.
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How much does a funeral cost?
Funeral costs vary depending on the funeral home and type of service selected. There are
two types of costs associated with a funeral: (1) services provided by the funeral home and
(2) merchandise such as a casket or urn.
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Is everything included in the price given to me by the
funeral home?
All charges involving the funeral home's services and merchandise are available from our
professional staff. We will provide a general price list with all charges.
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Can I make my funeral arrangements before I die?
Yes. Today, pre-arrangement and prepayment of funerals are becoming more common. Prearranging
will provide you with more time to review your options and give you a choice in your own funeral
service. Pre-arrangement will provide you with the peace of mind that everything has been
taken care of, relieving your family of the emotional and financial burden that often comes
with making arrangements when a loved one passes away. Oftentimes, making arrangements in
advance also guarantees a service and funeral at today's prices, free from inflation. At Shortridge-Ramey
Funeral Home we will assist you with your pre-arrangements.
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How many types of caskets exist, and why are some more expensive
than others?
Caskets are made of either metal (bronze, copper or steel) or wood. Prices vary, depending
on the exterior and interior materials used. Bronze, a semiprecious metal, is more expensive
than steel. Mahogany, a rare hardwood, is more expensive than the readily available softwood
pine.
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What is embalming and is it necessary before services are held?
Embalming is the temporary preservation of a deceased's remains. It is not required by law,
but is common practice when a viewing is planned.
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Can a funeral home assist me with Social Security benefits and Veteran
death benefits?
Yes. In fact, Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home will do more than just assist you with securing
these benefits. Our staff is trained to complete all necessary paperwork to begin the benefits
process and to follow through to ensure that the benefits are secured in a timely manner.
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What is involved in the cremation process?
Before cremation occurs, the death certificate must be completed and signed by the attending
physician or medical examiner, and all civil and medical authorities must have issued all
required permits. In addition, necessary authorizations to cremate must be obtained from the
next of kin or authorizing person and no objections to the cremation can be raised. The cremation
then takes place and the cremated remains are placed in the designated container or urn selected
for final disposition.
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Are special cremation containers and caskets available?
Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home offers a wide variety of cremation containers and caskets
to meet each family's needs.
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Are the services held before or after cremation?
Services are held at the discretion of the family. Many choose to have a traditional service
first, followed by the cremation.
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What happens to the cremated remains?
There are many options to consider with a cremation. A family can choose to bury the remains
in a cemetery, store and display them at home in an urn or scatter them in a place special
to the deceased. It is advisable to check local restrictions on scattering remains on public
property and obtain permission for private property.
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I have already made arrangements and funded my funeral in advance.
What if I move or want to use another Funeral Home?
By making arrangements in advance, you were able to express your own wishes and relieve this
emotional burden from your family. By funding your funeral in advance, you also relieved the
financial burden from your family. Usually, these arrangements can be reestablished with another
funeral home and nearly all funding vehicles are transferable by the owner.
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