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It has been our experience here
at Gompf Funeral Service that when a loved one dies many people
have questions on practices and procedures. Hopefully, these questions
and answers will help.
Q. What will I need to
bring to the arrangement conference?
Q. What type of funeral service is available?
Q. What makes up the cost of the funeral service?
Q. My loved one didn't want a fuss made for
the funeral, but we feel that they deserve a
quality tribute, how can we accommodate the wishes of both?
Q. I do not own a cemetery lot, how do I acquire
one?
Q. What do I do about flowers?
Q. Do most people have floral arrangements
or are memorial donations better?
Q. Should the casket be opened or closed for
the visitation hours and service?
Q. Which is better, two sets of visitation
hours or one?
Q. Is it all right to bring in photos or memorabilia
to the funeral home for visitation hours?
Q. Can the family put a momento in the casket
before it is closed?
Q. I would like to have special music during
the visitation hours and at the funeral service, is
this possible?
Q. What is a certified copy of the death
certificate used for and how long does it take to get?
| Q. |
What will I need to bring to the arrangement
conference? |
| A. |
Family information page
(PDF- Portable Document Format. Click
here to get the Free Acrobat Reader) that is included
with this packet. Complete as carefully and completely as
possible. When filling out the form please use complete legal
names (including first, middle, and last). This form contains
the information we will use to complete the death certificate
and construct the obituary. If you wish to write your own
newspaper obituary, please note that newspapers charge a fee
for placing an obituary in their publication and most require
that the obituary be submitted by the funeral home. The cost
of the written death notice is based on its length.
Social Security number-If you do not have the card, often
times the social security number will be on a driver's license
or bank account records.
Photograph of the deceased. This will assist us in the grooming
(hairstyle etc.)of your loved one. If you do not have a recent
photo then a driver's license with a photo will be helpful.
Military Papers-A DD214 form, if applicable. This military
record is needed for dates of service which is requested on
the death certificate and for filing paperwork for any military
funeral tributes, flags, gravemarkers, etc.
Clothing-This includes both outer and undergarments for the
deceased. (Footwear is optional)
If needed we have a selection of clothing on hand for purchase.
Jewelry-This can be left with the body for burial or taken
off before the casket is closed.
You will need to tell the funeral director of your desire
prior to the day of the funeral service. |
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| Q. |
What type of funeral service is available? |
| A. |
There are many different options available to you and your
family. Of course, the family size, location of family and
friends, preferences of the deceased and cost are all things
that need to be considered. Some options include: traditional
visitation hours and a funeral service the next day in our
facility; visitation at our facility and either church or
graveside funeral services the following day; visitation at
our facilities or at a church for one hour prior to the funeral
service; viewing at a church facility with the funeral service
at another time; graveside only services; memorial services;
and cremation. The funeral director will be discussing these
options with you. |
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| Q. |
What makes up the cost of the funeral service? |
| A. |
There are four categories that compose the
cost of a funeral.
1. The professional fees that are charged
for our staff, our physical facilities and transportation
equipment are based on what you request us to do.
2. The cost of the casket that you select. We offer a wide
variety of caskets, made of several
different metals and woods over a broad price range.
3. The cost of the burial vault that you choose. There are
many burial vaults to select from,
made of several different metals and gauges and also those
made of concrete
4. Other incidental items
Death Certificates-The price varies depending on the county
in which the death occurred.
Newspaper Obituary-The price varies depending on newspaper
and length.
Hairdresser-The cost varies.
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| Q. |
My loved one didn't want a fuss made for
the funeral, but we feel that they deserve a
quality tribute, how can we accommodate the wishes of both? |
| A. |
It is possible to have a quality tribute and not overburden
the family with excessive costs. The funeral director will
help you with the determining what will suit both your emotional
needs and your monetary concerns. |
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| Q. |
I do not own a cemetery lot, how do I acquire
one? |
| A. |
When you come in for the arrangement conference the funeral
director will assist you in contacting the cemetery of your
choice. |
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| Q. |
What do I do about flowers? |
| A. |
We encourage families to visit their florist of choice.
They can advise you of what flowers are available, show you
pictures, and quote you a price. They will make sure that
your flowers arrive on the proper day and time. |
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| Q. |
Do most people have floral arrangements or
are memorial donations better? |
| A. |
Often families will choose a charity or non profit organization
for memorial contributions to be made in memory of the deceased.
This allows for friends and family to choose a monetary gift
that will keep giving back to the community or organizations
that were important to the deceased. On the other hand, floral
arrangements show the family and friends at a glance that
others remember and are thinking of them. |
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| Q. |
Should the casket be open or closed for the
visitation hours and service? |
| A. |
This is usually a matter of preference for the family. A
final goodbye to the deceased often helps to make the death
of a loved one easier. However, in certain instances, a closed
casket may be more appropriate or even dictated by the customs
and/or religious beliefs of the deceased. |
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| Q. |
Which is better, two sets of visitation hours
or one? |
| A. |
Some things to consider when deciding this would be: do
you expect a large or small number of people; would most be
better able to attend in the afternoon or evening; will many
of these same people be attending both sets of visitation;
will the family be staying during all visitation hours or
will they rotate family members; will the family want to leave
and eat a meal or snack as a group? Many families feel the
need for 2 sets of visitation hours, while others prefer choosing
a two to four hour visitation in one set. Again, it needs
to be a decision based on your family needs. |
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| Q. |
Is it all right to bring in photos or memorabilia
to the funeral home for visitation hours? |
| A. |
Yes, most people find it healing to look back and
remember the deceased person's life. Pictures and other favorite
items give you an opportunity to share the memories with friends
and family. |
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| Q. |
Can the family put a momento in the casket
before it is closed? |
| A. |
Yes, please let us know and we will make the arrangements
that are needed. |
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| Q. |
I would like to have special music during
the visitation hours and at the funeral service, is
this possible? |
| A. |
Yes, we have a sound system that is equipped with a tape
player, we also have a CD player and can arrange for an organist
if needed. We have a selection of quiet soothing music, as
well as, religious selections. If you prefer you can bring
in music and we can play that for you. If there are certain
selections you would like to have our organist play we will
let her know of your preferences and she will try to accommodate
these requests. |
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| Q. |
What is a certified copy of the death certificate
used for and how long does it take to get? |
| A. |
A certified death certificate is a legal document provided
by and charged for by the Health Department in the county
where the death has occurred. This process can take up to
2 weeks to complete, depending on a number of factors, the
time frame will vary. Certified death certificates are needed
for many reasons, some of these include Life Insurance Policies;
accounts at financial institutions; pension or retirement
funds; home mortgages; stock, bonds; titles and deeds to property;
CPA's and attorneys; and one for your own records. Photo copies
will not be accepted as legal documents. During the arrangement
process we can order the number of copies you may need. f
you later find you need additional copies these can also be
obtained, as needed. |
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If you have other questions or concerns please feel free to contact
one of our staff members, we are here to serve you.
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