Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Can I make my funeral arrangements before I die?
Yes. Today, pre-arrangement and pre-funding of funerals are becoming more common. Prearranging will provide you with more time to review your options and reflect your wishes to your family. Pre-arrangement will provide you with the peace of mind that every detail has been addressed, relieving your family of the emotional burden that often comes with making arrangements when a loved one passes away.
Pre-funding your arrangements is not a requirement to prearrange you services. If you choose to, however, we can show you several options to place your funds so that at the time of your services, the expense and financial burden can be relieved from your family. Please contact our funeral home if you may have any questions regarding prearranging or pre-funding.
I have already made arrangements and funded my funeral in advance. What if I have changed my mind as to which funeral home I would like to handle my services?
By making arrangements in advance, you were able to express your own wishes and relieve this emotional burden from your family. If, since that time you have changed your mind as to which funeral home you would like to handle your services, please contact our funeral home to assist you. Transferring your existing arrangements is an easy process that simply, prior to a death or at the time of a death, requires you to disclose your wishes with our funeral home. We will then review your wishes to make sure that all of the details were covered by the previous funeral home regarding your arrangement so that you may have the peace of mind that everything has been addressed.
By funding your funeral in advance, you also relieved the financial burden from your family. In the state of Minnesota, all funds that are set aside for funeral expenses are 100% transferable to the funeral home of one's choosing prior to a death or at the time of a death. This, too, is an easy process that simply requires you to let us know where you prearrangement was funded through and/or what financial institution they were or are currently being held.
How much does a funeral cost?
Funeral costs vary depending on the funeral home which you chose. These costs are typically comprised of: the (1) services provided by the funeral home, (2) merchandise such as a casket, urn, and/or outer burial container, and (3) cash advances that associated with the funeral, but outside of the funeral home's charges.
Our funeral home's charges, including an average metal casket and basic vault can average from $7000 to $8500. In addition to these costs are cash advances. Cash advances are costs related to the service (such as luncheon costs, etc.) the funeral home will cover on behalf of the family. It is important to note that depending on what items and preferences a family chooses, cash advances may range from $100 to $2000, or more.
Is everything included in the price given to me by the funeral home?
All charges involving a funeral home's services and merchandise must be made available upon request from the respective funeral home in the form of price lists. Our general price list makes it easy to follow as to what costs would be incurred in the services your family would request from our funeral home. It is important to note that some funeral homes may have "additional" charges. Please contact us so that we may assist you in determining the cost of the type of services you wish to select.
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 (varying species). 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. We show a similar floor of actual caskets at each of our locations. Because we have multiple locations, we are able carry a large selection of caskets from which to choose. If a family is unable to find a casket to meet their needs at the respective location, this added selection can be made available upon request.
What is embalming and is it necessary before services are held?
Embalming is the temporary preservation of a deceased's remains. Although law does not require embalming, embalming may be necessary if you select certain funeral arrangements, such as a funeral with a viewing. If you do not want embalming, you have the right to choose an arrangement which does not require you to pay for it, such as direct cremation or immediate burial. In the State of Minnesota, a deceased's human body must be embalmed by a licensed mortician in the following circumstances:
- if the body will be transported by public transportation;
- if final disposition will not be accomplished within 72 hours after death or release of the body by a competent authority with jurisdiction over the body or the body will be lawfully stored for final disposition in the future, except as provided in section 149A.94, subdivision 1;
- if the body will be publicly viewed; or
- is so ordered by the Commissioner of Health for the control of infectious disease and the protection of the public health.
Does your funeral home offer cremation services?
Yes. Our crematory is located in our funeral home in Janesville, MN. By owning and operating our own crematory, we can ensure cremation policies and procedures are carried out with utmost detail, care, dignity, and professionalism. Families can take comfort in knowing that their loved one never leaves our care.
What is involved in the cremation process?
Before cremation can occur in the State of Minnesota, a signature from the funeral director, physician, and medical examiner/coroner needs to be obtained giving approval to cremate. Also, an "authorization to cremate" form needs to be signed by any/all authorizing agents. This form may be completed prior to one's death and will be recognized at their time of death. The cremation then takes place, lasting approximately three hours, and is followed by placing the cremated remains in the designated container or urn selected for final disposition. If a memorial service for family and friends was not held prior to the cremation, typically a service will follow the cremation. Following the memorial service, family and friends will typically make their way to a cemetery where the cremains may be inurned into a grave, columbarium or ossuary, may be scattered, or may be kept at home.
Are special cremation containers and caskets available?
Our funeral home offers cremation containers and caskets to meet each family's needs if they choose cremation. For families planning a visitation and service before cremation, we offer wood cremation caskets, a cloth covered casket or a rental casket to use. If a family wishes to have a cremation without a public viewing of the body, we offer a simple alternative cremation container that may be use for the cremation.
Are the services held before or after cremation?
Services are held at the discretion of the family and can be held prior or after cremation. Many choose to have a traditional service first, in which the body is viewed by family and friends for their own grieving process. The visitation is usually held the night prior to services and then is present on the day of funeral services. The service will then be followed by the cremation of the body. Following the cremation, family may gather at cemetery where the cremains may be inurned into a grave, columbarium or ossuary. If a family prefers, the cremains may be scattered or be kept at home.*
If it is a family's preference, the cremation may take place before services. A "memorial" service can then be held with or without the cremains present. Following the memorial service, family and friends will typically make their way to a cemetery where the cremains may be inurned into a grave, columbarium or ossuary. If a family prefers, the cremains may be scattered or be kept at home.*
*We suggest in the matter of scattering cremains, that permission be obtained by the owner or entity owning the property where the cremains are scattered.
Can a funeral home assist me with Social Security benefits and Veteran death benefits?
Yes. In fact, our 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. If a family has any questions as to what benefits may be received, please contact us or reference the ‘Resources' page found on our website.