STOUT FAMILY FUNERAL HOME
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why use a funeral director?
There are over 50 details to work through when planning a funeral. Making wise choices that are very personal requires that you be adequately informed. While information is available through a variety of sources, a funeral director is your one source to answer all of your questions and handle all the details in a time of need. With so many details to take care of and arrangements to coordinate, a funeral director can step in and make sure everything is handled completely and professionally. At Stout Family Funeral Home, we are dedicated to serving your needs.
2. What does a funeral director really do?
As funeral directors, we are care givers and administrators. We make the arrangements for transportation of the deceased, complete the necessary paperwork, and implement the choices made by the family regarding the funeral and disposition of a body.
On a more personal note, we are also listeners, advisors, and supporters. Stout Family Funeral Home's funeral directors have many years of combined experience in helping families in grief cope with death. We are here to support your personal needs, answer questions about grief, recognize when there appears to be difficulty coping, and recommend sources of additional assistance.
3. What does it mean to be a licensed funeral director?
A licensed funeral director must adhere to the ethics and standards established by our profession, including having the recommended years of preparatory and continuing education. It also means that families are treated professionally and will receive the very best care.
4. Why have a funeral?
A funeral is an important way to celebrate a life well lived, recognize a family's loss, and a significant change in our lives. A funeral is not a day in a lifetime but a lifetime in a day.
Funerals are recognized ways for the living to show respect for the dead and to help surviving family members begin the grieving process. A funeral is also a way to say goodbye to the loved one with dignity and respect.
5. Why have a visitation?
Visitations are part of many cultural and ethnic traditions. Research shows that having a visitation surrounded by caring and supportive people, helps families with the grief process.
Viewing is also encouraged for children, as long as the process is explained and the activity voluntary. Children can benefit from viewing the deceased, as their imaginations can often make the appearance of the body worse than it really is.
Since this is the last time family and friends will see this person, a visitation and viewing can leave positive memories, with the deceased closely appearing as they did in life. Stout Family Funeral Home can coordinate public and private family viewings that meet each family's specific needs.
6. What is the purpose of embalming?
Embalming sanitizes, disinfects, and temporarily preserves a body, slowing down the natural process of decomposition, and can enhance the appearance of a body if disfigured by traumatic death or illness. Embalming can make it possible to extend the time of a funeral service to allow family members to arrange out-of-town transportation and attend the funeral service.
Embalming is not required by law. However, with public visitations and viewings, embalming is often necessary. The staff at Stout Family Funeral Home are here to explain the needs for embalming with respect to each family's personal situation.
7. What questions should I ask when considering a burial plot?
A burial plot is the location where the deceased will be laid to rest, typically in a cemetery. There are many considerations when evaluating a plot. Here are just a few of the questions you might consider when selecting the best plot for your personal needs:
At Stout Family Funeral Home, we can help you understand and comply with these restrictions, while keeping in mind your personal desires.
8. What is a grave liner and is it required?
A grave liner is a reinforced concrete wall that is used to prevent the grave from sinking or collapsing. Most cemeteries do require grave liners.
9. How does a burial vault differ from a grave liner?
Like a grave liner, a burial vault is used to protect the grave from sinking or collapsing. However, a burial vault is a more substantial option which usually costs more than a grave liner. A burial vault is normally sold with a warranty, whereas a grave liner is not warranted.
10. Does cremation substitute for a funeral?
No, cremation is an alternative to earth burial, often following a funeral service. If a direct cremation is selected, there is not a preceding funeral service. Statistics indicate that direct cremation only occurs in 3% of all deaths.
Some people believe cemetery space is limited, and cremation will save valuable land. NOT SO! There is enough cemetery land presently dedicated to bury each person who dies in the next fifty years in a single grave, without adding one square foot of additional land. A ride in an airplane is convincing!
Cemeteries provide ecological purpose. Open space for grass to grow, birds to nest, and trees and flowers to flourish. Cemeteries are important to our ecology! The modern memorial park concept offers aesthetic benefits to any community. Most cemeteries offer affordable options for placement of cremated remains.
The choice of cremation does not preclude any other preference memorial opportunities that are affordable and can be guaranteed in writing.
11. Can the funeral service be customized?
We at Stout Family Funeral Home make every effort to customize a funeral or memorial service precisely to individual tastes. There are many ways to have a service unique including personal eulogies, special music, display of personal items and pictures, and more. Stout Family Funeral Home will work with you to ensure the service is as personalized as your family wants it to be.
12. When should a funeral service be scheduled?
As a general rule, you should allow enough time for out-of-town guests to make travel arrangements and arrive in time for the service. Area guests will normally be able to accommodate a shorter time frame. Oftentimes, however, we must coordinate with churches, clergy, musicians, and cemeteries to help ensure that there are no scheduling conflicts or time restraints. It is advisable not to set any time for services until speaking to a funeral director to avoid a potential conflict. We at Stout Family Funeral Home will coordinate your planning, and work with your family and the aforementioned entities to help ensure that everyone is included.
13. Where should the funeral service be held?
Stout Family Funeral Home will assist you in planning your entire service from beginning to end. A funeral service can be held in a church or at the funeral home. Other options can include holding a graveside service or a service at a family residence.
14. Does the funeral service have to be conducted by a minister?
A member of the clergy is not required to perform a funeral or memorial service. However, if a clergy member is desired, we can locate one if you do not already have a minister, as well as ensure the clergy understands your wishes.
15. Why plan ahead?
Unfortunately, many people wait to make plans until someone dies. We understand that funeral planning is a difficult process, but preplanning in advance can help everyone. For more information on preplanning, please click here.
16. What if I need to reach a funeral director in the middle of the night?
Not a problem. A funeral director is available by phone 24 hours a day, 365 days each year to serve your needs. We will respond immediately, or as the individual situation requires. Our normal business hours are M-F 9-5pm. Saturdays and holidays are by appointment only. Stout Family Funeral Home is closed on Sundays to allow its employees to attend church services and spend time with their families.