1. What purpose does a funeral serve? It is the customary way to memorialize the life of a loved one. Funerals are recognized rituals for the living to show respect for the dead and to help survivors begin the grief process.

2. Why have a public viewing? Viewing is part of many cultural and ethnic traditions. Many grief specialists believe that viewing aids the grief process by helping the bereaved recognize the reality of death. Viewing is encouraged for children, as long as the process is explained and the activity voluntary.

3. What is the purpose of embalming? Embalming chemically preserves and disinfects the body, slows the decomposition process, and enhances the appearance of a body disfigured by traumatic death or illness. Embalming makes it possible to lengthen the time between death and the final disposition, thus allowing family members time to arrange and participate in the type of service most comforting to them.

4. Does a dead body have to be embalmed, according to law? No, however, in some instances embalming may be required by law when there is a public health risk, or if the deceased is transported out of state or country. If there is to be a public viewing of the deceased with or without a funeral ceremony, embalming will be necessary.

5. Isn't burial space becoming scarce? While it is true some metropolitan areas have limited available cemetery space, in most areas of the country there is enough space set aside for the next 50 years without creating new cemeteries. In addition, land available for new cemeteries is more than adequate, especially with the increase in entombment and multilevel grave burial.

6. How much will a funeral cost? Depending on what the disposition is of the deceased and/ or what type of services a family needs will determine the cost of a funeral. There are four basic factors that constitute the final cost.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES: Professional services are the personal services of your funeral director, and the arrangements and supervision conducted by a licensed funeral director and the funeral home staff.

MERCHANDISE: Includes casket, outer burial container or vault, urn, cremation caskets and containers, flowers, burial clothing, acknowledgement cards, prayer cards, memorial registers and memorial folders.

USE OF FUNERAL HOME FACILITIES AND AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPTMENT: There is a large portion of cost in maintaining a funeral home facility and staff available to the public 24 hours a day to meet the needs of each and every family served. Automotive costs entailed are transportation of the deceased from place of death to the funeral home, hearse transportation to church and/or cemetery, limousine services, transportation of deceased to and from airports and flower transporting to the cemetery.

CASH ADVANCES: These are cash expenditures occasionally advanced to the family as a courtesy of the funeral home. They may include cemetery charges to open and close graves including perpetual care in maintaining the cemetery grounds, crematory expenses, newspaper death notices, certified copies of the death certificate, clergy honorariums and church offerings, airline transportation costs, and out of state funeral home charges.

7. Is cremation a substitute for a funeral? No, cremation is an alternative to earth burial or entombment for the body's final disposition and often follows a traditional funeral service. In fact, according to the Cremation Association of North America, in the state of Maryland, cremation following funeral ceremony or immediate cremation occurred in 21% of the deaths.

8. Who pays for funerals for the indigent? Other than the family, there are veteran, union, and other organizational benefits to pay for funerals, including, in certain instances, a lump sum death payment from Social Security. In Maryland, individual counties have burial assistance for indigent people. Most funeral directors are aware of the various benefits and know how to obtain them for the indigent. However, funeral directors often absorb costs above and beyond what is allowed by the county.

9. Is a vault (outer burial container) required by law? Maryland law does not require a vault (outer burial container); however, most cemeteries require either a grave liner or burial vault. In most areas of the country, state or local laws do not require that you buy a container to surround the casket in the grave.

10. What legal documents are required in arranging the funeral? Two important documents are obtained through the service of the funeral director: the death certificate and the permit for burial, cremation, or shipping. Military discharge papers and proof of entitlement to union benefits should be available. And, of course, life insurance policies and a copy of the current Will and Testament should be accessible.

11. What government benefits are available to aid in the cost of a funeral? Veterans have a benefit that contributes a modest amount toward burial. Also, there may be Social Security benefits available. At the time of counseling, your funeral director will help you determine if the deceased qualifies for any of these benefits.

12. Are all funerals religious ceremonies? While most are, it is becoming more common to think of funerals as a final farewell. The newer approach often contains religious elements, but the funeral has the added dimensions of a community ceremony.

13. Why pre-arrange a funeral? Pre-arranging your funeral provides peace of mind and can help to ease the emotional burden from your family at one of the most stressful times in their life.

You have the opportunity to discuss options with your family and consult those persons that will be most affected by the death. Your funeral director will be available to answer any questions you may have concerning options and costs for the type of services you want, right down to the smallest detail.

14. What kind of caskets are available? There are caskets made of steel, copper, bronze and wood. Casket costs will vary depending on the type of metal or the species of wood (i.e. mahogany, cherry, oak, pine, etc…) used to construct the casket and material used for the interior lining of the casket.