“The future of traditional funeral and memorial services is in highly personal remembrance events” said Mrs. Tiffany Gallarzo, Family Services Manager at Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary. She referred to their new no-extra-cost Personalized Service Options.

Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary has, highly personalized, memorial options to assist families in expressing their feelings and emotions at the time of a loss. Grief experts have long recognized that families are often in shock at the time of a death, and are too numb (and have too little time) to think creatively about a fitting memorial. Yet, they know their loved ones hobbies, pass times and interests, they need just a little assistance to put together a meaningful remembrance for them.

After an intense two year study and extensive internal review of services, Fairhaven has assembled several vignettes or “memorial tableaux” that is available to every family having services at Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary. Utilizing familiar articles related to sports, hobbies, crafts and life-style, Fairhaven staff will create a memory picture, a remembrance moment, that sets the tone of a service. Of course, families may add to or delete any part of the vignette that doesn’t “fit”. Families may add flowers, photographs, personal mementos, music, favorite candies, etc. to compliment the options offered by the Mortuary.

The goal is to create a precious moment in time that allows everyone present to focus on their loved one, their interests, their loves, their life. The same options apply for cremation memorial services at Fairhaven, also at no additional cost. So, when we look to the future of funeral and cremation services, the future is comforting, meaningful and personal.

This May be a Morbid Question But???

I can’t tell you how many times I have heard this from someone who doesn’t have a funeral director friend. There are so many questions that we have about death, but are afraid to ask. However, questions about death and dying are important questions to ask, and the information can help you through a very difficult time. So what are some of those questions?

How much is a typical funeral? Good question. There are a broad range of providers with a broad range of prices. You can go with a cremation service for as low as $495 or you can go to a full service provider and purchase a burial estate and a service for $50,000. For this amount, the burial plot should be very nice. A few questions you should ask are, what is included for the $495. Some cremation societies tack on other costs, like transporting the body to the funeral home.

Another question I hear frequently is “Is embalming required?” Embalming is not required by law. Most funeral homes require embalming for a visitation for the health and safety of the public. Embalming is the replacement of body fluids with a formaldehyde type of solution, which cleanses the body. At Fairhaven, we require embalming for a visitation and we require embalming for most entombments, which is burial in an above ground crypt.

Can I buy my casket in advance? Also another good question. You may purchase your casket in advance. When you select the casket at the funeral home, the funds will be placed in a trust or a funeral insurance product. This is required by state law. For those who choose to go to a casket store, be careful. The casket stores are not regulated the same as a funeral home, and some have gone out of business and are not able to deliver the casket when it is needed. It is best to use this option if you plan to use the casket soon, or if you have a place to store the casket. If you pay for your casket in advance, a casket store does not need to put the money aside to protect your purchase

What do you mean by Direct Cremation? This is a great question. This means something different to the consumer than what it means to a funeral director. To you, this may mean you want cremation. You may want other services also, such as a visitation or a service, or a memorial service. If this is the case, be sure to ask the funeral director about your options. It is important to ask the provider you think you are going to use what services they provide. Some do not provide a full service with a visitation, however, if you want a cremation, you can do many different things along with the cremation that are meaningful and helpful to your family for the grief process.

Is a funeral service important? When I first began in this business 14 years ago, I didn’t understand the value of a funeral. However, after observing many families getting together to celebrate a life, I truly understand the benefit to those left behind and what an important step it is in the healing process. I strongly believe in letting your funeral home assist with holding a service. It can be confusing and complicated. I have seen friends step in and offer to help hold a private service, and I have seen disappointment over differences of opinion about what the service should be. Most people only get one funeral, and I think it should be a direct reflection of that person.

There may be other questions you have about funerals, mortuaries and cemeteries, but do not want to ask. However, understanding this part of life, which is inevitable, is a smart thing to do.

I am affiliated with Fairhaven Memorial Services in Mission Viejo, California, and would be happy to answer your questions about funeral services. Please remember that state laws are different from state to state. The state of California regulates the funeral homes, cemeteries and crematories through the Department of Consumer Affairs. They have produced a booklet that every funeral home in California is required to give you to help you better understand your options. They are generally very helpful if you are confused by an experience you may have had. Most of the people you will meet at a funeral home are very caring, and have chosen this profession because they want to help people.

For more information about Fairhaven Memorial Services in Mission Viejo, California, go to www.fairhavenmemorialservices.com.