Questions People Commonly Ask A Funeral Director
When you lose a loved one and you have to deal with a funeral director for the first time, it can be a confusing time. There are many things for you to think about when making funeral arrangements, so this list of commonly asked questions from funeral directors may help you better understand the process of saying goodbye to your loved one.
Should I Have a Viewing? -- Choosing whether to have a viewing is a very personal decision, but a lot of people decide that the opportunity to see the deceased one last time before burial may provide a sense of closure. A viewing is often conducted in a private room of a funeral home and is under the direct supervision of the funeral director. The viewing room is small on purpose, because the size limits the number of people who can enter at one time. Viewings are intended to provide a private moment between a mourner and the deceased in a quiet, contemplative setting. Funeral home directors will ensure that your loved one is properly dressed and looks as good as possible for the viewing, as the most important thing is for mourners to have a positive final look at the deceased.
Should I Embalm the Deceased? -- Funeral directors recommend embalming so that your loved one's body will be preserved for as long as possible. It is essential to embalm someone who has died if you are planning on a viewing as a human body begins to decompose the moment life ends. Embalming involves injecting chemicals into the body of the deceased that staves off decay and decomposition. Although there is no law that requires that you embalm a loved one, many people choose to do so because they want their last view of the dead person to be as pleasing as possible. If the deceased is being buried in another Territory, embalming may be an option to keep the body fresh during the process of transporting the body to the burial destination.
Why Should I Consider a Mausoleum Burial? -- Many cemeteries are experiencing shortages in available space for burial, which is why choosing a mausoleum burial may be an option for your family. A mausoleum is a freestanding, above ground structure that houses tombs that are typically stacked on top of each other. Although people use crypt and mausoleum interchangeably, a crypt is underground, whereas a mausoleum is built above ground. A mausoleum features a casket that is sealed behind a granite or marble panel. Mausoleums eliminate the need to dig a burial space, and because they are not buried in the ground, the caskets remain clean and dry for a long time.