How To Choose A Funeral Home

The first important thing about making decisions is to first get educated in options available to you! Remember you are the boss and you are seeking a professional service to be provided to you and your family. The following is a list of things you should look for when considering a funeral home for yourself or for your loved one.

1.) Shop Around
          A good thing to remember is you have choices. The funeral home that cared for your grandparents several years ago may not be the funeral home that offers the best services and options for your family today. Traditions in funeral service have changed drastically over the last few years. You should ask, what options do I have to choose from? What funeral rituals are important to you and your family? Traditional Funeral Services, Social gatherings, Personalization, Cremation, or do you want it all?

2.) Visit the Funeral Home
          You should take a tour of the facility. How do you feel when you walk in the front door? Is it a welcoming experience by sight and smell? If you were grieving, would you be welcomed by owners and staff? Did they show you the facilities on the premises such as their crematory? Did you receive free information about their funeral home and funeral planning?

3.) Talk to the Owner or Funeral Director
          Ask questions! It is always better to have more information than not enough! Did the funeral director take the time to answer all of your questions? Did the director explain any of the state or federal laws regarding disposition? Did you feel your director was ethical in any of the following areas; were the low-cost caskets presented with the same dignity as the more expensive caskets? were you told you did not have to purchase an outside burial container or vault, but the cemetery you choose may require for you to purchase one? Were your wishes respected in the choices you made? Or did you hear comments as “This is the respectful way to do it…” or “I’m sure you want the best for your mother…” Did the director clearly explain to you the difference between preneed insurance and preneed trust? Did you receive an itemized statement of the goods and services with total cost in writing or a hand shake?

4.) Services
          You don’t have to spend a lot to get a lot! What extra services does the funeral home offer? Am I getting the best for the amount of money I am spending? Is the embalming done on-site? Is the cremation done on-site or is my loved one going to be transported several times to different locations by people I don’t know? Does the funeral home offer free webcasting for my family that is unable to attended services? Do they offer free Memorial DVD’s of my loved ones life for friends and family to keep? Can they help me arrange catering, babysitting, lodging for out of town guests? Most importantly, are they going to offer my family a positive memorable experience to say goodbye?

We hope you found this informative.  We welcome you to stop in, visit with us, and let us answer any questions you might have.

Jessica White-Bryand
Skip White

Shell Knob, Missouri Office Phone Number
(417) 858-8400

There are some very good reasons why you should consider preplanning, and our FREE Basic Planner takes less than 5 minutes to complete.

Making the many decisions which come at a time of loss is difficult. With our FREE online Arrangements, you can select the arrangements which are best for your preferences and budget.