Social Security has cut back the benefits payable for funeral expenses. Social Security will pay a lump sum death benefit of $255 to a surviving spouse or dependent children only. No benefit is paid to survivors upon the second spouse’s death.
The Veterans Administration (VA) will pay a burial allowance up to $1500 if the veteran’s death is service-connected. All veterans must be honorably discharged to receive any benefits. VA will also pay the cost of transporting the remains of a service-disabled veteran to the national cemetery nearest the home of the deceased that has available grave sites. VA will pay a $300 burial and funeral expense allowance for veterans who, at the time of their death, were entitled to receive pension or compensation. Eligibility also is established when death occurs in a VA facility or a nursing home with which VA is contracted. Additional costs of transportation of the remains may be reimbursed. VA will pay a $150 plot allowance when a veteran is not buried in a cemetery that is under U.S. government jurisdiction if the veteran has a service-related disability, was receiving compensation or pension or if the veteran died while hospitalized by VA. The plot allowance is not payable solely on wartime service. All honorably discharged veteran are entitled to an American flag and a grave marker. The grave marker does not include installation, foundation and perpetual care charges that a cemetery may charge.
The Vatican now permits in the U.S. funeral Masses with cremated remains present. It will be the decision of each bishop to determine if this is pastorally appropriate in his diocese.
The introductory material from the Vatican reiterated that the church prefers “that the body of the deceased be present for the funeral rites” and stresses that cremated remains be treated with respect and should be buried in a grave or entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium. Scattering at sea, from the air or ground, or kept at home are not reverent disposition.
President of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Anthony M. Pilla of Cleveland, decreed that Masses with cremated remains present can be performed.
When cremated remains are present, they must be contained in a “worthy vessel” placed on a table or in the place normally occupied by the casket, and must be covered with a pall. The Easter Candle may be present. The urn may be carried to its place in the entrance procession or placed on a table before service begins. The words in the blessing and the dismissal will be changed for cremation. The prayer of committal will read “earthly remains” in place of “body.” This new Vatican decision does not effect “Eastern” churches.
A family may, if they wish, scatter the cremated remains of their loved one on privately-owned property with the consent of the property owner. Currently there are no Iowa laws with regard to scattering on public lands such as rivers, lakes and forests. If you select scattering, always be sure to check your local, state and federal laws concerning scattering of “cremains”. Scattering, however, is neither practical nor considerate of all concerned. It may be very traumatic for family members to scatter fragmented, yet recognizable bone fragments of their loved one. In addition, later generations of the family may not have a place to go to pay tribute, if that private property has been sold or developed into something else. Only a cemetery provides for the dignified, permanent record and memorialization of cremated remains.
When compared to other major life cycle events, like births and weddings, funerals are not expensive. A wedding can cost at least three times as much but because it is a happy event, wedding costs are rarely criticized. A funeral home is a 24-hour, labor intensive business with extensive facilities that cost money to maintain. When determining if a funeral home is expensive or not, compare prices with other funeral homes. All funeral homes are required to give you, for retention, a General Price List. Also assess whether the value of the products and services received are in line with the prices paid. The cost of a funeral is always a matter of personal choice.
Most families select a form of memorialization with their cemetery of choice. At S.W. Brown Funeral Home we view the inurnment as the dignified act of memorializing cremated remains within a place of permanent rest.
A lawn crypt is essentially an “underground mausoleum.” Each crypt houses two caskets so husband and wife may be entombed in their own private crypt. The crypts are placed over an extensive drain tile system which provides the driest form of earth entombment ever developed. Lawn crypts save families thousands of dollars over traditional burial because less space is used and the bronze and granite memorial is included.
Entombment is the dignified act of resting the casket within a special structure called a tomb or crypt. Two types of entombment are available:
(1) Above ground.
(2) Below ground entombment in a lawn crypt.
Direct cremation usually means cremation with no visitation or services. Some people choose direct cremation believing that the quickest, simplest option is best. However, all cultures recognize the need to come together to share and grieve at the time of death. Most people require something more than only to dispose of their loved one. Grief shared is grief diminished.
Contact the Director at S.W. Brown & Son Funeral Home for this information
Yes, most families select an appropriate funeral service to take place before the cremation or after. You may still have a traditional funeral with visitation, with the cremation disposition taking place after the service. The psychological benefits of viewing our loved ones and having the opportunity to say good-bye are well documented and are available with cremation.
Cremation is simply a form of disposition. The “crematable” casket is placed in a cremation chamber where, through a process of heat and evaporation, the body is reduced to its original elements–bone fragments, not ashes.
Embalming is not required by law. Embalming may be required if you select funeral arrangements with open casket visitation. Also, if the final disposition is not determined within 48 hours after death, the funeral director may, at his/her discretion, embalm the body. Embalming is not required if you select a cremation service without a casket visitation.
Embalming is the surgical process of replacing body fluids with formaldehyde-based fluids. It provides for the dignified dis-infection and preservation of the body. Embalming allows for higher public health standards. It also allows the survivors an opportunity to view their loved one so that they may face the reality of the death and begin the healing process.
Viewing is part of many cultural and ethnic traditions. Many grief specialists affirm that viewing the body aids tremendously in the grief process by helping the survivors recognize the reality of the death. This is the first step in the healing process.
Lives are commemorated, deaths are recorded, families are united, memories are made tangible and love is eternal…this is the purpose of a cemetery. A cemetery is a history of people and the community they lived in. A cemetery is a perpetual record of yesterday and a sanctuary of peace and quiet today.
Although laws vary from state to state, the Federal Trade Commission is currently one of the regulating agencies overseeing funeral homes. Funeral homes are required to itemize their funeral service charges and you, as the consumer, then have the ability to tailor-make your funeral arrangements. We encourage families to gather as much information as possible. An informed consumer is a wise consumer.
The funeral fills important needs in our society. It provides for the dignified and respectful care of the deceased. It is a special tribute to a unique life. The funeral service helps the survivors face the reality of death—the first step in overcoming grief. It affords those friends and relatives an opportunity to express the love and respect they feel for someone who was important to them. Seeing how much someone cares can be a tremendous psychological help to a bereaved family adjusting to their loss.