Frequently Asked Questions

We know that you have many questions. We have put together some answers we hope you will find helpful.

When a death occurs, it is common to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. Here are some general steps you can follow:

  • Notify the authorities or emergency services if the death occurred outside of a hospital or care facility.
  • Contact a funeral home or a funeral director to begin making arrangements. If arrangements have been pre-planned, then contact the funeral home handling those plans.
  • Make a list of immediate family, close friends, and employer or business colleagues and notify each by phone.
  • The funeral home will help you begin making arrangements and coordinate arrangements with the cemetery. This includes arranging clergy, ordering death certificates, deciding on the time and location of the service or services (if desired), gathering obituary information, and selecting an appropriate organization for gifts or donations (if desired).

Bring the following information to complete the state vital statistic requirements:

  1. Birth Date
  2. Birthplace
  3. Father’s Name
  4. Mother’s Name
  5. Social Security Number
  6. Veteran’s Discharge or Claim Number
  7. Education
  8. Marital Status
  • Take care of the deceased’s personal affairs, such as contacting their employer, insurance companies, banks and creditors.
  • Make any necessary legal arrangements related to the deceased person’s estate.

Remember to take care of yourself during this time. Allow yourself to grieve and seek support from loved ones or a professional counselor if needed.

It is standard practice for funeral homes to respond promptly when notified of a death. Typically, someone from the funeral home will come to the location of the deceased right away. However, if the family wishes to spend a short time with the deceased to say goodbye, that’s perfectly acceptable. Your funeral director will come when the time is right for you.

This decision is a personal one based on a variety of factors, including cultural and religious beliefs, personal preferences, environmental considerations, and cost. There is no right or wrong choice.


Burial is a traditional option that involves interring the body in a casket in the ground. Most of the time, when burial is selected, the body will be embalmed for sanitation, restoration, and preservation. Immediate burial without embalming is an option. If immediate burial is selected, the body cannot be present for any services selected.


Cremation is another option in which intense heat is used to reduce the body to ashes. This option is often preferred by those who want a simpler approach. It can also be less expensive than burial. After cremation, there are several ways to memorialize the person who passed away. One of the most popular ways is through interment where a forever resting place is chosen, and the cremated remains are buried or entombed in a spot in the cemetery.


Ultimately, the decision between burial and cremation should be based on what feels right to you and your family, taking into consideration religious or cultural beliefs and personal values. You may wish to discuss your options with a funeral director or other trusted advisor to help you make an informed decision.

A public viewing at a funeral serves several important purposes.

Firstly, it allows friends, family, and acquaintances of the deceased the opportunity to pay their respects and say goodbye in person. This can be an essential part of the grieving process for many people.

Secondly, it can help to provide closure to those who were close to the deceased by allowing them to see the person who passed away one final time. Many grief specialists believe that viewing aids the grief process by helping the bereaved recognize the reality of death.

Additionally, it can provide a sense of community and support for those who are grieving, as the presence of others who are going through the same thing can be comforting.

Finally, a public viewing can be an important way to honor and remember the life of the deceased, by allowing loved ones to reflect on their memories and share stories with others.

Embalming is used to sanitize, preserve, and restore the body. The main purpose of embalming is to delay the natural process of decomposition to allow family members time to arrange and participate in the type of service most comforting to them.

Embalming also helps the body appear more natural for viewings and funerals. There is a long history of embalming throughout history that dates to ancient civilizations and is still practiced in many cultures worldwide.

Funeral homes typically offer embalming as an elective service, allowing families to decide if they want their loved one to be embalmed. Although it is generally not required by law; there may be exceptions.

For example, embalming may be required if the deceased had an infectious disease, or if the body is being transported across state lines.

Embalming is also usually required if a visitation or funeral with an open casket is to be held. It is not required for direct cremations or immediate burials. Our funeral directors are familiar with local laws and policies pertaining to cremation requirements.

Like many other things the cost of a funeral is not one set amount, there are many factors that lead to the final cost of a funeral.

These factors include the costs of caskets, flowers, transportation, and the service provided by a funeral director and the funeral home. There may also be fees associated with burial or cremation, depending on the family’s wishes.

However, pre-planning your services can ease this financial stress for your family. If you choose to set your own arrangements and pay in advance, you will receive the best cost and your loved ones will not have this financial burden during their grieving process. We like to think of it as your last gift to those you love the most.

Yes, if you choose cremation, you can still have a visitation and funeral. These services can be held prior to cremation or after the cremation with an urn present.

Holding services after cremation does provide some flexibility in regard to scheduling and choosing the location of the arrangements.

The most important thing to remember when planning a service is most every combination of preferences can be achieved.

The funeral director helping you plan can answer any of your questions so don’t hesitate to ask!

There are several options for what to do with cremated remains, including:

  1. Scatter the ashes: The cremated remains can be scattered in a designated scattering garden or a place of personal significance to the departed or the family. The location must follow local laws and regulations. Our funeral directors can be very helpful in creating a meaningful and personalized scattering ceremony that is in accordance with your family’s needs and preferences.
  2. Inurnment: Many people choose to keep their loved one’s cremated remains in an urn, which can be displayed at home. Though we recommend a final resting place so your loved one is memorialized forever.
  3. Interment: Cremated remains can be buried in a cemetery, placed in a columbarium niche, or stored in a mausoleum either in a dedicated grave or alongside the remains of other family members.
  4. Create memorial jewelry: Cremation jewelry is a unique and personal way to keep a small portion of a loved one’s ashes close at all times. Because the jewelry uses a small amount of cremated remains, many pieces can be made for multiple family members.

It’s important to check local laws and regulations before making any decisions on what to do with cremated remains, and our funeral directors can help you through this process.

Sunset Memorial Park allows for two cremated remains to be interred in a single grave space. Many other cemeteries offer this as well, but if you are not using Sunset Memorial Park it is good to check with the cemetery about their regulations.

  • Meet with your family attorney and/or tax advisor as soon as possible to review your particular tax and estate circumstances with a list of your questions.
  • Call the IRS toll-free at 800-829-1040 for answers if you do not have an attorney or tax advisor.
  • Determine if the deceased person is eligible for any entitlements. Many people are entitled to get financial assistance with their funeral costs from the following agencies if they qualify:
    • Social Security Administration
    • Department of Veterans Affairs
    • Your State Fund
  • Review all insurance policies the deceased person has, including life insurance. Some life insurance policies have coverage clauses for funeral-related costs.
  • Find local charities providing financial help for funeral expenses. Search for nonprofit organizations and for churches in your area.
  • Ask your funeral director about cost-saving alternatives.

Funerals serve as important rituals that help us say goodbye to our loved ones who have passed away.

They provide a space for family and friends to come together to grieve and pay their respects. Funerals also offer a sense of closure and allow us to begin the healing process.

Additionally, they can help us remember and celebrate the life of the person who has passed away by sharing stories, memories, and honoring their legacy.

Funeral directors, also known as morticians or undertakers, are professionals who are trained and licensed to help families plan and carry out funeral services for their loved ones. Some of the specific tasks of a funeral director may include:

  1. Consulting with the family to plan the funeral or memorial service, discussing details such as the type of service, the location, the casket or urn, and any special requests.
  2. Coordinating with other service providers, such as the cemetery or crematorium, to arrange for the burial or cremation.
  3. Preparing the deceased for viewing or cremation, which includes embalming, dressing, and cosmetic treatments.
  4. Arranging transportation for the body and the mourners.
  5. Providing support and guidance to the family during the grieving process, which may include assistance with paperwork, social security benefits, and other practical matters.
  6. Managing the funeral home, including staffing, accounting, and compliance with regulations.

Overall, funeral directors play an important role in helping families say goodbye to their loved ones with dignity and respect while providing emotional support during difficult times.

Yes, it is generally legal to transport cremated remains in the United States. However, different states may have different legal requirements or restrictions, so it is advisable to check the laws of the states involved before traveling with cremated remains.


Additionally, if you plan to transport cremated remains by air, you should follow the guidelines set by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and your airline. You will need to check the airline’s policies and state regulations concerning the transportation of cremated remains, and you may need to transport the remains as carry-on luggage rather than checked baggage, depending on the airline’s policy.


Finally, it is always a good idea to consult with a funeral director before transporting cremated remains to ensure that you are following all necessary protocols and procedures.

The decision to allow young children to attend a funeral service is a personal one that depends on a variety of factors, such as the child’s relationship with the deceased, their age and maturity level, and the nature of the service.


Some experts believe that attending a funeral can help children understand the concept of death and provide closure for their loss. However, it’s important to prepare them beforehand for what to expect, and to provide age-appropriate explanations of what is happening. For very young children, it may be more appropriate to arrange for them to spend time with a trusted caregiver or family member during the service.


Ultimately, the decision to allow a child to attend a funeral service should be based on what the parents feel is best for their child’s emotional wellbeing and understanding of death.


Sunset Funeral Home offers our Memories of the Heart Program for children because coping with loss can be confusing for children. We offer clarity and comfort for each child navigating loss. Memories of the Heart combines activities, along with gentle discussion, to guide children through the mystery of a funeral or cremation and helps them understand their own feelings. Memories of the Heart sessions are generally scheduled in the time prior to a visitation or memorial service.

The specific destination of funeral flowers can depend on a number of factors, such as the family’s wishes and any customs or traditions that are being followed.


In some cases, the flowers may be left at the gravesite, crematorium, or memorial site as a tribute to the deceased. In other cases, the family may choose to keep or donate the flowers to a hospital or nursing home as a way of bringing cheer to other patients or residents.


Alternatively, they may also be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner, such as by composting or using them for mulch.


Ultimately, the decision of the destination of funeral flowers lies with the family or organizers of the service. If you’re uncertain about where the flowers will be directed after the service, it’s best to ask a funeral director for guidance.

Yes, a funeral can be delayed depending on the circumstances. Common reasons may include waiting for family members to arrive from out of town, giving additional time for memorial arrangements or simply not being able to secure a venue on the preferred date.

The decision to delay a funeral is ultimately up to the family and the funeral director.

Yes, funeral homes are regulated by various laws and regulations, which are overseen by state or local government agencies.

These laws and regulations are designed to ensure that funeral homes operate in a safe and ethical manner and to protect the interests of the public.


Funeral homes are required to be licensed by the state in which they operate. They are often subject to inspections and audits by the state, which may include reviews of their facilities, services, and pricing.


It is important to research and choose a reputable funeral home that complies with all applicable regulations and standards. This can help ensure that your loved one’s remains are treated with dignity and respect and that your family receives the support and guidance they need during a difficult time.