THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW AND BRING TO YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT

Never make or plan all arrangements prior to discussing the process with your Funeral Director.  There are permits to obtain and forms to be filed before services can be performed, as well as other services that may have already been scheduled at the facility or cemetery you wish to use.  Your Funeral Director will guide you through the arrangements, one step at a time.  Together you can decide what services are best for your needs, help with obituaries, filing for insurance policies, as well as terminating social security benefits.

Print this page

We are available to assist you with details including:

• Date and time of the service (please have an alternate date in mind in case another family has already reserved the mortuary and/or cemetery

• Coordination of services with the cemetery, crematory and airline if necessary

• Family transportation

• Monument and inscription services, where available

• Flowers to complement the color of the casket and clothing

• Everlasting Memorial Internet archive

• Newspaper notices / obituaries*

• Filing of the death certificate and ordering certified copies of the death certificate

Our staff will also assist you in filing for:

• VA benefits

  • If a veteran, bring discharge papers (usually entitled: DD214)

• Social Security benefits

  • Be sure to bring Social Security number.

• Life insurance benefits

  • Bring policies with you.

Be sure to bring the following items and information with you to your first appointment with your Funeral Director. 

• Clothing, including under garments that have been chosen for burial/cremation.  We have a selection of clothing available that may be purchased, if desired.

• Eyeglasses and jewelry - These items may remain with your loved one or be removed and returned after the service.

• One recent photograph for identification and/or cosmetic purposes.

• List of 6 to 8 Pallbearers, if applicable.

• A collection of 20 to 30 valued photographs to illustrate your loved one's life through an Everlasting Memorial® internet archive and a multimedia scrapbook of family memories.

You will need to provide the following information for the death certificate.  This information is required by the Health Department and must be provided for them to issue a Death Certificate. 

• The deceased's mother's full name (including maiden name)

• The deceased's father's full name

• Birthplace

• Education and level

• Work history

Additional information that you might want to include in the obituary.

• Church affiliation

• Organizations or memberships

• Special achievements

• Names of surviving relations and the cities in which they reside - including parents, spouses, siblings, children, grandchildren, grandparents, etc.

*Note:  Most newspapers will post a Death Notice at no charge.  However, the fee for an obituary will vary depending on length and if you include a photo of your loved one.  We will be glad to help with the preparation of an obituary and submit it to the newspaper of your choice.  Your name, address and phone number will also be submitted as the person to be billed for this service.  Any obituary that is not paid by their 3 pm deadline will not print in the next day's paper.  Be sure to give us a cell phone if you will be available through your home phone and you want to schedule printing for the next day.

    Pre-Planning • On-Site Crematory • 24-Hr Helpline • Veteran & Public Servant Programs