26 OCTOBER 19, 2017 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
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 diffi cult
time to rely on the advice of a specially
trained, licensed funeral director.
Most families will call on the same
funeral director they’ve turned to
in the past to help them arrange the
funeral.
If there is no family funeral
director, it is a good idea to secure
recommendations from friends or
neighbors, or use the NYSFDA Find
A Funeral Home feature to search a
decedent’s neighborhood.
The fi rst step is to call the funeral
home for a conference to begin the
process.
If a death occurs in another city,
state or country away from home, it is
best to call your hometown funeral
director to make the necessary
arrangements.
Before making any arrangements,
determine if the deceased left instructions
about his or her funeral,
or purchased or prepaid funeral or
cemetery arrangements.
Funeral arrangements made prior
to death should be honored.
Preplanning one’s funeral is a
growing trend that ensures peace
of mind and relieves the individual’s
loved ones of a decision-making
process at a stressful time.
Be sure to check if the deceased is
entitled to 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. The
decedent’s estate or available death
benefits may cover final costs. It is
important to check with your family
attorney.
By law, funeral directors must
offer accurate price information to
people making inquiries over the
telephone regarding funeral costs.
If you visit the funeral home, the
funeral director will give you a
written, itemized price list with all
the specific goods and services the
funeral home offers.
It is good to remember that it is
entirely up to the family to make the
selections for a personalized ritual
to meet their emotional needs and
economic situation.
After the arrangements have been
agreed upon, the funeral director
will provide a written statement
showing the total cost of each item
selected.
In addition to removing the deceased
from the place of death and
caring for the body, the funeral director
will arrange all details of the
funeral service which may include the
following :
Contacting clergy and arranging
an appropriate time and place for the
services
Writing and distributing obituaries
Contacting the cemetery/crematory
staff , fl orists, fraternal organizations
and memorial gift organizations
Working cooperatively with organ
donation teams
Preparing all legal documents
(death certificates, burial transit/
cremation permits, medical examiner
certifi cates, reports of death, social
security and all Veterans Administration
benefi ts, and in some instances
fi ling insurance paperwork)
Providing an emotionally and spiritually
comforting environment for
visitation and life celebration services
Transporting family and friends
in a funeral procession to the place of
fi nal disposition
The funeral director provides quiet
support to the family during a time of
great emotional stress, and attends to
all aspects of the funeral service in a
professional and caring way.
Always remember that any questions
you may have may be directed
to your local funeral director.
Courtesy of NYS Funeral Directors
Association
If You’ve Been Putting Off Prearranging Because Of The Expense,
We Have Good News... Prearrangement doesn’t have to cost anything.
What many people don’t know
is that you need not prepay
when you prearrange. We’re
happy to record your wishes
and hold them on file at no
charge. Call our funeral home
for details.
Full Service Funeral at 494 SENECA AVE.
Check the prices on our
website: walshlabella.com
affordable prices.
Push general price list button
Please call or stop in.
70-17 Cooper Av������������������������������������������������������������������������������
RIDGEWOOD, NY 11385
718.366.1900
www.senecachapels.com
Seneca Chapels
Family Owned and Operated
• Pre-Planning
• Serving the Financial Burden of
All Families in Their Time of Need
• A One Level Concept of a
Modern Funeral Home
• Large Chapels
• Newly Renovated
• Large Parking Facility
on Premises
Village Chapels, Inc.
67-67 Eliot Avenue
Middle Village, NY 11379
718-458-3000
Funeral Directors
John DiMario,
George H. Luhrin
