FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Making funeral arrangements involves many choices and decisions (as well as a few legal requirements). It is helpful to consider all the options available and take time to ask questions before making final decisions. What follows is a sampling of queries that funeral directors are asked every day.

Q: How should I select a funeral director?
A: Reputation and length of time in the funeral business are usually considered the best criteria. Quality service to other families is a good guideline for what you can expect. Reputation and excellent service is also an important criteria if you are interested in talking to a funeral director about pre-planning services. Visit the funeral home, meet the staff and consider how your family and deceased loved one will be treated.

Q: What can you tell me about ads in the paper for direct burial or cremation? The prices listed seem low.
A: The saying "You get what you pay for" is true in the funeral profession just as it is when buying consumer goods or other services. There is value in choosing a licensed funeral director who is willing to openly and frankly discuss specific costs for the service you have in mind. Estimates can be given for funerals taking place now or in the near future. A funeral director will gladly help you create a detailed cost estimate showing the various charges involved and will help you make adjustments to fit your budget without sacrificing quality. Beware of "bargain" funeral services; simple and direct burials at competitive prices are available from licensed funeral directors without compromising the dignity of the deceased or the quality of the farewell they deserve.

Q: Does the law require embalming?
A: Except in certain special cases, the law does not require embalming. However, after 24 hours of death, refrigeration or embalming is required. Embalming may be recommended if you select certain funeral arrangements, such as a funeral with a viewing. If you do not want embalming, you usually have the right to choose an arrangement that does not require it, such as direct cremation or immediate burial. Embalming is also required by most airlines when the body is to be forwarded to another funeral home for burial. Except in special circumstances, embalming is not required by the State of Oregon.

Q: What about cremation and a memorial service?
A: Cremation should not preclude having a memorial service. Memorial services are an important component to healing after a loss and maintaining psychological and physical health into the future. Giving family and friends a chance to say goodbye and mourn their loss helps people cope and reduce the chances of complicated grief response at a later time. One way to feel close to, and be able to say goodbye to the deceased who has chosen cremation over burial is to have an urn present at the service.

Q: What government benefits are available to aid in the cost of a funeral?
A: Some Veterans benefits can be applied towards burial, however, each individual Veterans benefits vary. Also, there may be Social Security benefits available if applicable. At the time of counseling, your funeral director will help you determine if the deceased qualifies for any of these benefits.

Q: What legal documents are required in arranging the funeral?
A: Generally speaking, none are required; however, a funeral director can assist you in filling out documents for newspaper obituaries, veteran's benefits, death certificate and life insurance, to name a few.

Q: My father was not religious and probably therefore a church funeral would not be meaningful for him. Are there alternatives?
A: While most funerals are religious, it is becoming more common to think of funerals as a final farewell. The more contemporary approach to funeral services is to create a community ceremony but to also include some religious elements. Personalizing the service is another way to say goodbye in a non-religious manner.

Q: Will the funeral home work with my church to coordinate the service?
A: Yes. The staff at Smith-Lund-Mills work closely with all churches in the area. Having good communication with clergy and lay people is essential in providing a meaningful service for the families we serve.

Q: Will the funeral director help me make cemetery arrangements?
A: The Smith-Lund-Mills staff has the knowledge and experience to deal with all area cemeteries. We work for you in setting up and arranging all details with the cemetery. In the event that the chosen cemetery is a small pioneer facility without staff, we work with the cemetery volunteer in all aspects, from locating the grave, marking the grave, arranging for the grave to be opened and closed, installation of the vault, and the setup for the service (tent, chairs, casket lowering device). Smith-Lund-Mills is also a full-service monument dealer.
Note: The business office for Fir Grove Cemetery is located at Smith-Lund-MIlls Funeral Chapel.

Q: Can you help me select and design a grave marker or monument for my loved one's grave?
A: Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel is a full-service monument dealer. Our staff can help you select the right memorial from a wide selection of different colors of granite to cast bronze. We use computer-aided design to help personalize and make each monument special. This also allows you to see how it will look in advance of production. Smith-Lund-Mills also has a large knowledge base of local cemetery requirements and who to contact for locations for installation.

Q: What options are available in caskets, urns and memorial products?
A: At Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel, there is a merchandise selection  room available for families to view the wide selection of caskets, urns and memorial products to fit individual needs and budgets.

Q: How do I explain death to my young children?
A: Sometimes, in trying to anticipate children's pain and sadness, we tend to want to protect them, even to the point of not wanting to tell them about a death in the family or not allowing them to attend the viewing or a funeral service. Children have a keen sensitivity to things happening around them. The best approach is to be honest and understanding that children grieve as well. Your licensed funeral director has free brochures and booklets available upon request relating to children and grief.

Q: What are the benefits of pre-planning?
A: Death is not always an easy thing to talk about, especially if it's your own that you are thinking of planning for. But pre-planning is one of the most considerate and loving things a person can do to spare survivors any unnecessary hardships or complications. Pre-planning also insures that your wishes will be carried out as you intended, that there will be no family disputes or involvement by others who may not know what you wanted. Our professional funeral directors and pre-planning consultant will be happy to discuss ideas and terms with you at no obligation.

Q: What is pre-financing?
A: It is possible to lock in current funeral prices, even if a death is many years away under a variety of pre-financing and pre-payment options including funeral insurance and funeral Trust accounts, where the funeral home is the trustee and a third party holds the funds or guarantees payment. Many people say that pre-paying allows for peace of mind, knowing that their family will not have to worry about any financial burden of their funeral.

Q: If pre-planning is not done, when will I find out how much the funeral will cost?
A: At the time arrangements are made, your funeral director will give you a detailed written statement that shows the price of all services and supplemental items selected. There should be no hidden costs or surprises in your funeral bill.