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| Questions and Answers about Funeral Service Arrangements |
What documents or information should I bring to the arrangement conference? In your arrangement conference with us you will be asked a few questions which may require previous thought and research. These are: Full legal name of deceased Name of deceased father Full maiden name of deceased's mother Birthplace and birth date of deceased Social Security Numbers Veteran's information, discharge, (form DD-214) Family to be listed in obituary and special items for newspaper Church affiliation, lodge, civic organizations and education Ministers name Pallbearers Marriage date and place Cemetery information. You should bring with you certain items which may be needed such as; Clothing, if you are not selecting from our stock. If you should use personal clothing, we would like to use underclothing and socks or hose. we prefer to have long sleeves and a high collar. Any jewelry to be used Glasses, if worn Pictures for newspaper, video up to 45, memory portrait, memorial folders (up to five) and the beautician. Insurance policies that you wish us to help file. Are family members coming from a long distance? There are several airlines which offer discount fares if you are traveling to or from a funeral service, we can fax any funeral information the airline may require. Certified death certificates? Certified copies of the Oklahoma death certificate may be ordered by mail for $10.00 each. If the certificates are obtained at the time of death and before the final filing, the cost would be $11.50 each. Veteran's benefits? Eligibility restrictions cause many veterans to receive few death benefits other than a flag and military grave marker. Social Security? Social Securtiy provides $255.00 to a surviving spouse as a death benefit. We are required to file a Funeral Directors Statement of Death, Social Security will not need a certified copy of the death certificate. What about flowers? There are several fine florist in Mangum. Casket sprays are available from each and vary in cost from $100.00 to $500.00 What about honorariums for ministers and musicians? The typical clergy honorarium varies from $50.00 to $200.00 with an average around $100.00. We suggest and honorarium of $25.00 to $50.00 to each soloist and/or musicians. Of course if they were to travel a great distance, that should be taken into consideration. If the services are to be held in our chapel, families can choose from over 800 seclection of recorded music on CD which isavailable at no additional cost. What about cemetery expenses? The grave service charges $525.00 for opening and closing the grave which includes tent and chairs. There are additionalcharges for Sundays and Holidays. What are cash advance items? Cash advance items are services or merchandise that is provided by a third party. Items such as; flowers, opening and closing the grave, death certificates, honorariums for the preachers and musicians, grave spaces, cemetery fees, etc, etc. Funeral Costs? Costs vary according to the services that you wish provided. The funeral service expenditures are always itemized. You may select or reject various services that we offer, all of which will be explained to you in advance. We urge you to select the type of funeral service and burial you prefer, at a cost you can afford. Most funerals will fall in an average price range of $5, 000.00 to $7, 500.00.(these prices can include cash advance items). The funeral you choose could be higher or lower than these averages depending on the type of casket, service, vault, memorial packages that you choose. May I be served only by women? Just as some people, for personal reasons, prefer to have a woman doctor, some people are more comfortable if the deceased is transported, prepared and the service conducted only by women. Other funeral home staff may answer telephones and provide ancillary support, but only women handle the intimate and personal details.If this is your concern you should not hesitate to make your desires known. You have right to the services of your choice, and should accept nothing less. If the funeral home you first contact does not offer this service, you should find one which is willing to meet your needs. "By women only" is not a service offered by all funeral homes, but it is offered by Greer Funeral Home A"by women only" service may consist, for example, of sending properly trained and licensed female funeral directors to transport the deceased from the place of death to the funeral home, wash, prepare and dress the remains and arrange and conduct the selected services. Or it may consist of women handling only the preparation of the remains. The level of service is up to you. |
Our funeral home, like any other businesses in our community, operates on a cash basis, being totally dependent upon prompt payment from the families we serve. Yet, on occasion we find that third party financing is simply not available to some families. In those situations we are prepared to work with each family on an individual basis to provide an economical and affordable plan. |
Because funeral bills are often shared by different individuals and frequently divided between family members, we strongly recommend the the funeral bill be paid prior to the funeral service. In this way the possibility for misunderstanding between family members is avoided. Payment for the arrangements you have selected is due by the time of the service. The following methods of payment are available for your convenience: CASH, CHECK, MAJOR CREDIT CARDS, OR THIRD PARTY FINANCING. We will advance credit for funeral services on verified assigned insurance policies. As dedicated professionals, we are committed to servicing your family. Should you have difficulty meeting these obligations, please discuss your situation in confidence with your funeral director. If families would prefer to pay in monthly payments, financing is available through New South Savings Bank as well as other qualified lenders. We are required by the lending institutions to complete a credit application at the time of arrangements. The lending institution my request co-signers. If you would like to pick up an application for credit in advance, please feel free to contact us. |
