Funeral ProviderComparison Checklist

The funeral provider:

- maintains clean, comfortable, up-to-date facilities for your family’s use and when receiving relatives and friends

- maintains clean, comfortable, up-to-date automobiles, for the dignified transportation of your loved one and your family

- has sufficient professional, competent staff to care for your family and perform the desired services

- offers references or testimonials about their staff and the service they provide

-  offers a clear, concise price list as well as explanation of all charges

- offers caskets, containers, urns and outer burial containers from the least expensive available

- clearly displays product information cards on each casket to provide information as to the construction details and price

- offers more than one cremation container

- clearly displays the cremation containers for comparison

- provides a limousine or family car at no additional charge to the price of the traditional funeral

- does not charge additional for a hairdresser, when one is required

- charges actual cost on cash advances such as cemetery equipment

- offers custom stationery such as photo memorial cards and photos at no additional charge

- offers custom stationery for various religions and languages at no additional charge

- accepts memorial donations on behalf of the charity you select

- allows you to select only the services and merchandise you require

- doesn’t bundle unnecessary goods and services into packages and allows you to select merchandise à la carte

- allows customized service options for burial or cremation

- offers additional services such as a special musicians at the service, bagpiper, dove or balloon releases at the cemetery

- encourages and facilitates memory displays at the visitation and service through picture boards and tables

- has a website to allow you to learn more about them, the services they offer and assistance in planning a funeral

- has a website that allows the display of the funeral details, obituaries, as well as online condolences for those who can’t attend and maps for those coming from out of town

- works closely with local bereavement resource councils and can suggest additional resources when needed

- has its own bereavement library with books and audio-visual resources

- has special grief and death education resources for children

- offers fully guaranteed prepaid funeral services

- offers prepaid funeral plans funded by both insurance or bank trust

- offers prepayment plans ranging form single payment to 10 year installment plans

- clearly explains how excess prepaid funds will be handled

- provides a memorial to your loved one, without additional cost, such as a memorial tree planting program

- encourages the personalization of services and works with you to create a fitting tribute to your loved one and a meaningful experience for family and friends

 We encourage you to bring someone with you who can give you emotional support and help you go through this checklist and review the options.