With more choices, the specialty funeral services industry has become increasingly competitive. The increasing number of options can lead to confusion, but there are several things you should know before choosing one. Read on to learn more about the procedures and costs of specialty funeral services. Below are some tips to make the most informed decision. A storefront funeral service does not have a separate building. Instead, they are usually in an office building or strip shopping center. Many companies have taken advantage of these existing buildings to offer cremation and burial services.
Viewings and visitations
A viewing is when you are allowed to spend time with the deceased before a formal funeral service. Traditionally, this took place at the dead’s home over days, allowing close family and community members to share in celebrating the deceased’s life. While a visitation usually takes place at a funeral home, some specialty funeral services Chesapeake, VA, allow visitors to visit the dead in the comfort of their homes. Home visitations are deeply personal, so many people prefer this option.
While a traditional funeral service is a formal occasion, visitation or viewing helps people mourn together in a less formal setting. Visitation is typically held at a funeral home but may also occur at a church, community hall, or private residence. The choice is up to the family, but usually, the viewing occurs the day before the funeral. It can be held privately, for close family, or the public.
Costs
The most expensive part of a traditional full-service funeral is the casket. Caskets vary in cost and style, but they also differ significantly in appearance. Some are made of metal, while others are made of wood, fiberboard, fiberglass, or plastic. An average casket will cost about $2,000, though some are more expensive than that. The funeral director’s fee is included in this cost, but other charges will also be added.
Embalming is an additional cost and is not required in most cases. It is usually between $500 and $700, but it can cost up to $1,000. Embalming can be optional, depending on the time of day and the location of the burial and service. Some cemeteries also require embalming, but it can be expensive, so many people opt for refrigeration. However, refrigeration costs can be several hundred dollars higher than embalming.
Procedures
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has mandated that funeral homes provide an itemized list of costs before finalizing a funeral service. This list is called the General Price List, allowing consumers to select the services they want and reject package deals. The funeral home must also charge a Universal Fee, which covers the cost of services common to all funerals, such as the use of the funeral home, the services of the funeral director and other attendants, securing death certificates and permits, and coordination of burial arrangements.
After the body is removed from the body, the coroner will investigate the cause of death if the death was not natural or if there was no physician present. When the body is cremated, the final elements of the deceased are reduced to bone fragments and ash. Cremation requires a report and a death certificate from the local government. It can be performed in various ways, including a simple container.
Committal services
Committal services are a service in which the deceased is buried in the family’s grave. The ceremony is intended as a final goodbye to the deceased. The tradition is thought to have originated from a sermon in the Book of Common Prayer stating that Jesus rose from the dead and would return to life in the afterlife. Committal services typically last fifteen to twenty minutes. Sometimes, there is no funeral.
A visitation is a gathering held before the funeral service. This typically occurs the night before or the morning of the funeral. During this time, friends and family members can pay their respects and offer prayers. After the service, a vehicle is sent to the cemetery. A final set of prayers are recited for the deceased. A Committal service usually concludes with a viewing and a funeral reception.
Types of providers
There are several types of specialty funeral service providers. Generally, they charge a fee for their services. Entombment and burial are two types of services offered by funeral services. A crypt, which is used for the deceased’s final resting place, is also a service provided by some funeral services. Funeral establishments are buildings that are dedicated to the preparation and conduct of funerals and visitations. A funeral firm is an entity registered with the Department of Consumer Affairs. Funeral firms can operate out of a single location or in many areas.
Private individuals own funeral homes, groups of families, and corporations. Corporations sometimes own funeral homes, and these companies consolidate their services to provide more affordable funeral services. Other specialty funeral service providers include memorial societies and funeral service consolidators. In most cases, these organizations provide a high level of personal service to the family, and the funeral director gives them as much time as they need to make decisions.