Service FAQs
Everything you need to know about a funeral service or celebration of life.
What is a funeral service or Celebration of Life?
A funeral service or Celebration of Life is any ceremony that offers an opportunity for family members and friends of the deceased to express love, respect, honor and grief for a loved one. Your choice of service offers the bereaved a place to celebrate life and take the first step towards healing.
What do funeral directors do?
Essentially, a funeral director is trained to anticipate your needs and help you decide on the details of your service. But, in the end, it is you who knows your loved one best, so a director is here to simply help arrange any type of service that will honor and celebrate your loved one. Directors can be caregivers, planners, organizers and advisors all at once. They are trained to answer questions about grief, recognize when a person’s having difficulty coping, and recommend sources of professional help. Funeral directors can also link survivors with support groups in the community. We also have a "Grief & Healing" tab that is available 24/7 for anyone, customers or not, who need assistance in dealing with the loss of a loved one. We are always willing to help anyone in their time of need.
Why do we need an obituary notice?
An obituary notice serves to celebrate the life of a loved one. They’re also nice for friends and family of the deceased, as they detail the many memories and stories of a persons life. Publishing an obituary can also help take some of the burden of having to notify many people about funeral details off your plate. For more information, check out our guide on how to write a beautiful obituary. We will publish a notice on our website if you permit us to. It will be there for you and family and friends to use and share. Our memorial websites are a lasting tribute to your loved ones as traditional printing services (local papers) disappear.
What type of service should I have?
You have the utmost control in deciding the service you want. Our funeral director and personal assistant is here to help you understand all the options available so that you can plan a service that is truly personalized and tailored to your loved one. You can incorporate memories into the service, whether that be through a favorite type of music, some readings that reflect them or a special type of flower. Above all, you should feel that the service appropriately reflects your loved one and the people he or she touched.
Can I personalize my service?
Absolutely, in fact, we recommend it. After all, a funeral service is a celebration of life and each life lived is unique. Funeral directors are happy to discuss any and all options to ensure your funeral is tailored to your wishes, and you’ll find that you can personalize services in many unique ways. You can reach out to us at any time to explore your options, or view our service page for more information. Your personal assistant assigned to your family will also be available to help you during this time.
Is cremation a substitute for a funeral?
Cremation is a form of final disposition, but you can still have a funeral service or celebration of life. We can assist you with the necessary information about cremation, including the details of several wonderful cremation burial options or ash scattering, if this is an avenue you wish to explore.
What should I do if the death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend?
We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All you need to do is place a call to us at (417) 505-0052. We can help lead you in the right direction.
What should I do if a death occurs while away from home?
Your funeral director can help you if a death occurs anywhere on the globe. The director will coordinate all arrangements that are needed to get your loved one safely back to his or her community. Please refer to When A Death Occurs for the key steps you can follow in the event this occurs.
Is embalming mandatory by law?
It is not, but there are factors of time and health that may make embalming either appropriate or necessary. Please note that embalming may be required if the deceased is being transported by air to another country where local laws need to be observed. You can always contact us if you have questions on this subject, as we know it can be an unfamiliar subject to many.
Funerals seem so expensive - why is that?
When you’re in the middle of planning a funeral, it seems like there are so many costs that go along with it. That’s because funerals incorporate many elements, from viewing rooms, chapels, limousines, hearses and caskets. We can help you decide what options are right for you. This is the reason why the majority of people are choosing cremations over traditional funeral services. The average cost of a traditional funeral is $7,360.00 (NFDA 2021) and the costs can soar way beyond the national average.
Have the costs of traditional funerals increased significantly?
Yes. This is one reason why to choose cremation with Always Faithful Memorial Services. We offer complete direct cremation services, including the urn of your choice, for $1,550 with no hidden fees. Other facilities offer cremation services at an advertised price but there are hidden fees in the fine print, charging for everything from mileage, to weight & fuel fees, miscellaneous administrative fees, and others. Our integrity is everything to us, our word is golden, no hidden fees. Don't be fooled by the misleading advertising of others, ask questions first. Choose our top-tier personal service, let us help you.