Questions You Should Ask

Receiving Solace in addition to cremation services

There are a number of questions that every family should ask of a potential provider.  Also, in order to determine the direction your family should go, there are questions to ask yourself. 

Questions to ask yourself

• What type of service arrangements do I prefer?
  • Simple Direct Cremation (no services)
  • Direct Cremation with a Service
    1. Memorial service
    2. Celebration of life
    3. Graveside or niche-side service
    4. Private services at home or other place
    5. Informal memorial gathering
  • Traditional Funeral followed by Cremation
    1. Church funeral
    2. Funeral home chapel
    3. Type of casket (see “ABOUT CREMATION CASKETS”)
  • What type of cremation provider do I prefer? (see “CHOOSING A CREMATION PROVIDER”)
    1. Traditional funeral home
    2. Non-Traditional provider
  • How important is the cremation cost to me? (see “CREMATION COSTS”)

Questions to ask a potential provider

• What is the charge for  cremation?
  • Before calling, make certain you know exactly what you want – refer to the above list of questions you should ask yourself
  • Make certain that they have included all of the charges that are required for the type service you want (many providers will attempt to “sell” you extra products and/or services that you may not need because they are trying to make additional profit – be specific and be direct)
• Where does the cremation take place?
  • On-site cremation facility
  • If off-site, are there extra transportation charges
• Who owns the cremation facility?
  • Joint ownership with the provider you are questioning
  • Outsourced to a third party
• Where will the body be held until the cremation is performed?
  • Many providers would prefer that you do not know where the body is held because you would probably not approve
  • Each time custody of the remains is transferred the risk of problems increases - Once again, this could all be outsourced to a third party