We’ve provided a list of answers to questions we frequently receive regarding our services and other activities related to funerals. If you don't see the answer to your question here, feel free to contact us. We'd be happy to give you more information and clarify any of your concerns.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A FUNERAL?
Funerals provide surviving family members and friends a caring, supportive environment in which to recognize the death of a loved one, and to share thoughts and feelings about that person. Funerals are the first step in the healing process. The ritual of attending a funeral service provides many benefits including:
It is possible to have a full funeral service even for those choosing cremation. The importance of the ritual is in providing a social gathering to help the bereaved begin the healing process.
I'VE NEVER ARRANGED A FUNERAL BEFORE. WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?
At some time in our lives, most of us will make or assist in making funeral arrangements. This will not be an easy time, but we offer these tips for smart planning:
WHAT DO FUNERAL DIRECTORS DO?
Funeral directors are caregivers and administrators. They make the arrangements for the transportation of the deceased, complete all necessary paperwork, and implement the choices made by the family regarding the funeral and final disposition of the deceased.
Funeral directors are listeners, advisors and supporters. They have experience assisting the bereaved in coping with death. Funeral directors are trained to answer questions about grief, recognize when a person is having difficulty coping, and recommend sources of professional help. Funeral directors also link survivors with support groups at the funeral home or in the community.
WHAT TYPES OF FUNERAL SERVICES EXIST?
Every family is different, and not everyone wants the same type of funeral. Funeral practices are influenced by religious and cultural traditions, costs and personal preferences. These factors help determine whether the funeral will be elaborate or simple, public or private, religious or secular, and where it will be held. They also influence whether the body will be present at the funeral, if there will be a viewing or visitation, and if so, whether the casket will be open or closed, and whether the remains will be buried or cremated.
WHAT RECOURSE DOES A CONSUMER HAVE FOR POOR SERVICE OR OVERCHARGING?
Funeral service is regulated by the Federal Trade Commission and state licensing boards. In most cases, the consumer should discuss problems with the funeral director first. If the dispute cannot be solved by talking with the funeral director, the consumer may wish to contact the Funeral Service Consumer Assistance Program. FSCAP provides information, mediates disputes, provides arbitration, and maintains a consumer guarantee fund for reimbursement of services rendered. (To contact FSCAP, call 708-827-6337 or 800-662-7666).
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.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF EMBALMING?
Embalming sanitizes and preserves the deceased, retards the decomposition process and enhances the appearance of someone 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.
IS EMBALMING REQUIRED BY LAW?
No. Most states, however, require embalming when death is caused by a reportable contagious disease or when a deceased is to be transported from one state to another by common carrier, or if final disposition is not to be made within a prescribed number of hours.
IS CREMATION A SUBSTITUTE FOR A FUNERAL?
As more people are choosing cremation, funeral service professionals are striving to give consumers a true sense of what their many options are for a funeral service. Often funeral directors find that people have a preconception that they have fewer choices for a ceremony when selecting cremation for themselves or a loved one. Therefore, they request direct cremation and deny the surviving friends and family an opportunity to honor them with a memorial service. In actuality, cremation is only part of the commemorative experience. In fact, cremation can actually increase your options when planning a funeral. Cremation gives people the flexibility to search for types of tributes that reflect the life being honored. But this doesn't mean that aspects of traditional funeral services have to be discarded. Even with cremation, a meaningful memorial that is personalized to reflect the life of the deceased could include:
Commonly, cremated remains are placed in an urn and committed to an indoor or outdoor mausoleum or columbarium; interred in a family burial plot; or included in a special urn garden.
Cremation also gives families the option to scatter the remains. This can be done in a designated cemetery garden or at a place that was special to the person. Today, cremated remains can even become part of an ocean reef or made into diamonds.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ON CREMATION?
We can assist you with the necessary information for a funeral or memorial service with a cremation. For more technical information about the cremation process, we encourage you to view information on-line at the National Funeral Directors Association.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF A DEATH OCCURS AT HOME?
When death occurs, Hetrick-Bitner Funeral Home personnel are available to assist you at any hour, seven days a week. Call (717) 545-3774 or any of our locations for assistance.
WILL SOMEONE COME RIGHT AWAY?
If you request immediate assistance, yes. If the family wishes to spend a short time with the deceased to say good bye, it's acceptable. Hetrick-Bitner Funeral Home staff will come when the time is right for you.
IF A LOVED ONE DIES OUT OF STATE, CAN HETRICK-BITNER FUNERAL STILL HELP?
When death occurs away from home, Hetrick-Bitner Funeral can assist you with out-of-state arrangements and transfer the deceased to a preferred location. Call (717) 545-3774 for assistance.
HETRICK-BITNER FUNERAL HOME, INC
N. Bitner, Supervisor
Phone: (717) 545-3774
Fax: (717) 545-2325
3125 Walnut Street
Harrisburg, PA 17109
NEUMYER FUNERAL HOME, INC
T. Hobbs, Supervisor
Phone: (717) 233-7814
Fax: (717) 545-2325
1334 North 2nd Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
RONALD C.L. SMITH FUNERAL HOME
R. Smith, Supervisor
Phone: (717) 834-4515
Fax: (717) 545-2325
325 N. High Street
Duncannon, PA 17020
JESSE H. GEIGLE FUNERAL HOME, INC
V. Miller, Supervisor
Phone: (717) 652-7701
Fax: (717) 545-2325
2100 Linglestown Road
Harrisburg, PA 17110
© Bitner Family Funeral Homes, LLC
Crafted with care by Frazer Consultants & TA
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