What purpose does a funeral serve?
The funeral expresses the life and faith of the deceased while providing comfort and support to family and friends.
Funerals are arranged services designed to invoke religious rituals, honouring the deceased and fulfilling the needs of the family.
The funeral provides survivors with a foundation of hope and peace for their future.
What do funeral directors do?
Funeral directors are trained, experienced professionals who assist families from the moment a death occurs until well after services are completed.
Their work involves dignified care of the deceased while counselling survivors on designing services that fulfils their needs.
The funeral director is responsible for organising all aspects of funeral services and providing families with choices and options.
The are caring dignified people who help families organise all funerals arrangements and are responsible for every aspect involved in these services.
Funeral directors are caregivers and administrators. They make the arrangements for transportation of the loved one, complete all necessary paperwork and implement the choices made by the family regarding the funeral. Funeral directors are listeners, advisors and supporters.
Why have a public viewing?
Viewing is part of many cultural and ethnic traditions. Many grief specialists believe that viewing aids the grief process by helping the bereaved recognise the reality of death.
Is it possible to have a traditional funeral if someone dies of AIDS?
Yes, A person who dies of an AIDS-related illness is entitled to the same service options afforded to anyone else.If public viewing is consistent with local or personal customs, that option is encouraged.
Isn't burial space becoming scarce?
While it is true some metropolitan areas have limited available cemetery space, in most areas of the country, there is enough space set aside for the next 50 years without creating new cemeteries. In addition, land available for new cemeteries is more than adequate, especially with the increase in entombment and multi-level grave burial.
Funeral Cost Questions
Why are funerals expensive?
When compared to other major life cycle events, like births and weddings, funerals are not expensive. A wedding costs at least three times as much; but because it is a happy event, wedding costs are rarely criticized. A funeral home is a 24-hour, labour-intensive business, with extensive facilities (viewing rooms, chapels, limousines, hearses, etc.), these expenses must be factored into the cost of a funeral. Moreover, the cost of a funeral includes not only merchandise, like caskets, but the services of a funeral director in making arrangements; filing appropriate forms; dealing with doctors, ministers, florists, newspapers and others; and seeing to all the necessary details. Contrary to popular belief, funeral homes are largely family-owned with a modest profit margin.
Can the family of the deceased control the total price of a funeral?
Yes. The family has the ability to control the total price of a funeral and Reflections offer a wide selection of merchandise at a varied price range. The form and amount of service the family selects is also completely their decision.
Cremation Questions
Is cremation a substitute for a funeral?
No, cremation is an alternative to earth burial or entombment for the body's final disposition and often follows a traditional funeral service.
So, I've decided on cremation. Can I still have a funeral or a viewing?
Yes, quite often some sort of viewing precedes the actual cremation and Reflections can assist you with the necessary information for a funeral with a cremation following a memorial service.
What to do if a Death Occurs
What should I do if the death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend?
Reflections are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Click here for contact information.
Will someone come right away?
If you request immediate assistance, yes. If the family wishes to spend a short time with the deceased to say good bye, it's acceptable.
They will come when your time is right.
If a loved one dies out of state , can Reflections still help?
Yes, we can assist you with out-of-state arrangements, either to transfer the remains to another state or from another state.