Frequently
Asked Questions
When the death of a loved one occurs there are many
decisions to be made. To provide as much upfront information
as possible, many of the questions we get from families
are listed below. If you have additional questions,
please feel free to speak to one of our funeral directors
at 1-920-499-1223 or 1-800-873-1350. You can also contact
us via this web site.
What to do when a death occurs
What role does the funeral director fill?
What is the purpose of a funeral?
Is it possible to plan a funeral in advance?
What is cremation?
Why do people choose burial vs. cremation?
With cremation, can we still have a funeral?
What is the urn for?
What determines the cost of a funeral?
How much does a funeral cost?
How much does Social Security pay for
funeral expenses?
How much does the Veterans Administration
(VA) pay for expenses?
What happens if the death occurs outside
the United States?
Who do you call when the death occurs
out of town?
Why have a public viewing?
Organ/Tissue Donations
What to do when a death occurs
The death of a loved one can be an overwhelming experience.
In many cases, survivors are trying to cope with their
grief as well as arrange a funeral service. It is enormously
helpful at this difficult time to rely on the advice
of a specially trained, licensed funeral director. The
first step is to call Lyndahl Funeral Home to arrange
a conference to discuss the funeral planning process.
Our funeral directors can be reached 7 days a week,
24 hours a day.
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What role does the funeral director
fill?
Lyndahl's licensed funeral directors are here to help
you through a very difficult time in your life. They
are listeners and counselors, tribute planners, and
crisis managers. Through discussions with you, based
on information you share about your wishes and details
about your loved one, they are able to offer guidance
and help you coordinate a very personal tribute that
celebrates the life of your loved one. Lyndahl's funeral
directors can guide you through planning the service;
complete legal documents and other necessary paperwork;
and coordinate doctors, ministers, florists, newspapers,
and other vendors to make your funeral experience as
seamless as possible. They also listen to your stories
about your loved one, answer your questions on grief,
link you to support groups, and recommend sources of
professional help. As an experienced source for support
and guidance, Lyndahl's funeral directors can provide
you with relief during one of your greatest times of
need.
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What is the purpose of a funeral?
Funerals are an important step in the grieving process,
as well as an opportunity to celebrate a life lived.
They offer surviving family members and friends a caring,
supportive environment in which to share thoughts and
feelings about the death. Often funerals are the first
step in the healing process.
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Is it possible
to plan a funeral in advance?
Pre-planning your funeral can offer emotional
and financial security for both you and your family.
By pre-planning a funeral you will get the kind of service
you want and your family will be unburdened from making
decisions at a stressful time. Pre-planning doesn't
necessarily mean pre-paying. Many families simply prefer
to record vital information for future use. Lyndahl
Funeral Home has a licensed funeral director that handles
funeral pre-arrangements on a full-time basis.
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What is cremation?
The cremation process is done at a facility called a
crematory. The body is brought to the crematory in a
container and placed inside a device called a retort.
When the retort is turned on, the high temperature inside
of it reduces the body to bone fragments. Once the cremation
process is complete, the pulverized bone fragments are
placed in a container and returned to the family.
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Why do people
choose burial vs. cremation?
An individual's choice of burial over cremation is often
based on family traditions and/or family beliefs. Oftentimes,
this choice is directly related to one's religion.
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With cremation, can we still
have a funeral?
Yes. It is possible to have funeral services that allow
family and friends to remember and acknowledge the life
of the deceased. It is important that you have choices
in how your loved one is remembered. Seventy-five-percent
of cremation is performed after a visitation and/or
service.
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What is the urn for?
The cremated remains may be present during the service
in an urn. Urns come in many styles and reflect varied
artistic forms. With so many to choose from, families
can find something reflective of their lifestyle, faith,
or beliefs. Because the urn is an attractive art form,
it is not uncommon for a family member or friend to
retain the cremated remains as a cherished possession.
But for many, a permanent placement at another location
is more appropriate. Urn selection is often based on
the needs and beliefs of the family and their plans
for final disposition.
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What determines the cost of
a funeral?
You and your family do. A funeral can be as extravagant
or as simple as you desire. Pre-planning your funeral
can help control costs. By making decisions ahead of
time, you avoid making choices at a time when your emotions
are heightened. It also provides an opportunity to set
aside funds that can be used to pay for part or all
of the future service. Lyndahl can work with you to
design a personalized tribute that meets your financial
needs.
By law, funeral directors must offer accurate price
information to people making inquiries over the telephone
regarding funeral costs. If you visit Lyndahl Funeral
Home, the funeral director will give you a written,
itemized price list with all the specific goods and
services Lyndahl offers. After the arrangements have
been agreed upon, the funeral director will provide
a written statement showing the total cost of each item
selected.
Be sure to check to see if the deceased had any death
benefits that would help cover funeral costs. Be aware
that signing a contract for funeral services will make
you liable for the cost of the funeral, but the decedent's
estate or available death benefits usually cover final
costs. It is advised to always check with your family
attorney.
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How much does a funeral cost?
In 2003 the charge for an adult, full-service funeral,
was $5,375. This includes a professional service charge,
transfer of remains, embalming, other preparation, use
of viewing facilities, use of facilities for ceremony,
hearse, limousine, and casket. The casket included in
this price is an 18-gauge steel casket with velvet interior,
which may or may not be the most common casket chosen.
Vault, cemetery, and monument charges are additional.
(Source: 2003 Federated Funeral Directors of America
(FFDA) FH Report.)
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How much does Social Security
pay for funeral expenses?
Upon death, dependents and survivors may be eligible
for certain benefits such as Death Payments, Survivor's
Benefits, and Medicare. Qualifications depend on age,
marital status, number of dependents involved, and if
employment was under Social Security. Your Social Security
account should be verified periodically to be sure contributions
are properly posted. All benefits must be applied for;
payment is not automatic. Since qualifications vary,
we recommend discussing your particular situation with
us personally.
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How much does the Veterans
Administration (VA) pay for expenses?
There are many misconceptions regarding veterans' death
benefits. Honorably discharged veterans may qualify
for cemetery plot and burial allowances, headstone,
and burial flag, as well as a pension for survivors.
These benefits may affect decisions about funeral arrangements.
Because qualifications and benefits vary, we recommend
a personal review of your situation.
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What happens if the death occurs
outside the United States?
If a family member dies while outside the United States,
the U.S. Embassy will come to your assistance. An Embassy
official in the country where the death occurred will
be contacted, and he or she will contact the State Department
in Washington, D.C., to notify next of kin.
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Who do you call when the death
occurs out of town?
When death occurs away from home, the funeral home serves
as both your adviser and agent, working with other professionals
long-distance, and coordinating the many services required.
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Why have a public viewing?
Viewing is a part of many cultural and ethnic traditions.
Many grief specialists believe that viewing aids the
grief process by helping the bereaved recognize the
reality of death. Viewing is encouraged for children,
as long as the process is explained and the activity
is voluntary.
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Organ/Tissue Donations
The decision to donate organs and/or tissue is a private
matter that individuals are facing more than ever before.
Your local funeral director can answer any questions
you may have concerning funerals following organ and
tissue donations. Families are assured that a decision
to donate will not preclude a very meaningful funeral
service including a visitation.
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(Sources: Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association, National
Funeral Directors Association)
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