Frequent Questions

No matter how far back you look in history, you will find evidence of funeral rituals. Within us, we have an innate need to honor, respect, and remember those who have died. Those we have loved. Funerals, as a ritual, don’t exist simply to exist. They have purpose and intentionality and meaning.

Dr. Alan Wolfelt, respected grief counselor, author, and educator, has done extensive research into the purposes of a funeral and why we, as people, need them. He says, “The funeral ritual…is a public, traditional and symbolic means of expressing our beliefs, thoughts and feelings about the death of someone loved.  Rich in history and rife with symbolism, the funeral ceremony helps us acknowledge the reality of the death, gives testimony to the life of the deceased, encourages the expression of grief in a way consistent with the culture’s values, provides support to mourners, allows for the embracing of faith and beliefs about life and death, and offers continuity and hope for the living.”

In Dr. Wolfelt’s experience, if a funeral meets these 6 purposes, then it is often meaningful and healing. Let’s review these 6 purposes of a funeral in detail, so that we fully understand why funerals are so necessary and how they help us in our grief journeys.

The 6 Purposes of a Funeral

Reality

When someone we love dies, our minds and hearts rebel against it at first. We don’t want to accept that the person we loved is gone. The first purpose of a funeral is to help us accept the reality of the death. In order to heal and grieve, we must first accept what has happened. At a healing and meaningful funeral, mourners have the chance to confront reality and begin processing their grief. The funeral is not the end of the grief journey – it is the beginning. We must learn to come to grips with our new reality – one without our loved one.

Recall

One of the key components of a funeral is remembering the one who has died. We see this happen in the eulogy, in the tribute video (if there is one), in the songs or readings chosen, as well as in the gathering of friends and family following the service. By recalling and sharing about our relationship with a loved one, we help ourselves transition. We begin the process of moving our relationship with the one who has died to one of memory rather than presence. We must go backward into our memories before we can move forward in our grief journeys.

Support

A third purpose of the funeral is to activate support. At a funeral, we gather with other people who knew our loved one. We can share our memories, give voice to our feelings, and find support in others. When a funeral includes a visitation or a gathering, mourners have the opportunity to come together and offer a listening ear and a caring hug. When no service is held, friends may keep their distance, thinking that the family wants to grieve privately. But with a public funeral, friends and neighbors can offer their caring support during a trying time.

Expression

As human beings, we are wired to feel. When we feel deeply but actively suppress our emotions, those feelings can become unbearable and begin to fester. Funerals are meant to act as a safe place for us to get our thoughts and emotions out. By putting our thoughts and feelings into action, we begin the journey toward healing. You may need to talk, cry, or just sit quietly with a person who cares. Whatever you may need, expression is an important purpose of a funeral. Through expression, we begin to put our grief in motion and create forward movement in the grief journey.

Meaning

When someone we love dies, many questions begin to surface. Did the person I love live a good life? Why did this person die? Why do any of us die? While there are no simple answers to these questions, a funeral gives us time and opportunity to ask them and begin to find our way to answers that give us peace. By searching for meaning and allowing ourselves to find peace, we find purpose in our continued living and can work toward reconciling ourselves to the loss we have suffered.

Transcendence

The final purpose of a funeral is transcendence. This happens in two ways. First, the funeral helps us find a new self-identity. Funerals help us publicly mark a change in status. For example, someone who has lost their spouse goes from someone who is married to someone who is single. A funeral allows everyone to publicly acknowledge this change and begin offering the mourner support in their new status. Second, funerals often wake us up and make us think about our lives and how we want to spend our remaining days.

Dr. Wolfelt puts it this way:

“People who take the time and make the effort to create meaningful funeral arrangements when someone loved dies often end up making new arrangements in their own lives. They remember and reconnect with what is most meaningful to them in life. They strengthen bonds with family members and friends… [and] emerge changed, more authentic and purposeful. The best funerals remind us how we should live.”

As a Whole

These purposes are not necessarily distinct steps and may happen in any order, but they are intertwined. The funeral experience as a whole is like a rite of passage. We emerge transformed, with a new identity, a new relationship with our lost loved one, and a new relationship with our community.

Unfortunately, not all funerals are successful in helping us heal. This is because we have lost part of our understanding of why funerals matter and how to create a meaningful and healing funeral ceremony that will give us a good start on the healing process. But it’s not too late to learn. For more information on funerals, their purpose, and how to create a personalized, meaningful, and healing ceremony, please talk with one of us.  We would be honored to help you and your family.

There are many different types of funerals, including traditional funerals, cremations, and memorial services. 

Traditional funeral: A full-service funeral that includes a viewing, a ceremony, and the burial of the deceased in a cemetery. 

Memorial service: A funeral service that takes place before or after the cremation of the deceased.   However, the physical body of your loved one is not present.  

Direct or Simple cremation: A cremation without a service. 

Cremation: A process that reduces the body to ashes through heat, which are then placed in an urn. 

Celebration of life: A service that focuses on celebrating the life of the deceased, and can feel more like a party.  This is the most popular service to tell your loved ones' story and honor the life that was lived.  

Direct burial: A simple burial without a ceremony, visitation, or graveside service. 

Graveside service: A service that takes place outdoors at the burial site, and often includes eulogies, songs, religious readings and a prayer.  A graveside service usually follows a traditional or celebration of life service.  

Green burial: A burial that doesn't use a casket, embalming fluid, or a vault, and instead places the remains directly in the ground.  This is only allowed in certain cemeteries.  

Yes, cremation or burial is merely the disposition of the body. Funeral services are to honor and remember your loved one, regardless of disposition.  We recommend telling your loved ones' story and share their memories with family and friends.  The funeral service is an extremely important factor for the beginning of the grief process.  This will allow the community to help support the healing process.

Pre-arranging funeral services can be done regardless of the final disposition. Pre-arranging is simply recording your wishes with the funeral home and prefunding if you choose to do so.

• Advance Directives - If the deceased left any written advance directives concerning the disposition of his remains and memorialization, you need to bring them with you. These instructions may be found in a will, or there may be a formally witnessed disposition directive, funeral pre-arrangements, or a pre-need contract.
• Military Discharge Papers
• Details on any cemetery property owned by the deceased or the family (grave plot, columbarium space, etc.)
• Recent photograph of the deceased and any personal effects that you wish to be included in the viewing or burial
• Specific information on the deceased:
• Full legal name
• Address
• Marital status
• Social Security number
• Date of birth
• Place of birth (city and state)
• Educational history (number of years of schooling)
• Armed Forces service dates and serial number (DD214)
• Occupation or profession
• Parent's names, including mother's maiden name
• Next of kin and other survivors

Funerals can be expensive primarily due to the 24-hour labor intensive nature of funeral home operations, including staff costs, facility maintenance, necessary permits, and the cost of merchandise like caskets, alongside additional services like embalming and transportation of your loved one; all of which contribute to the overall price of a funeral. 

Key factors contributing to high funeral costs:

Staffing:

Funeral homes require a large staff to handle various aspects like preparation of the body, arranging viewings, coordinating with families, and managing transportation, which adds to the cost. 

Facility upkeep:

Maintaining viewing rooms, chapels, and other facilities around the clock contributes to operational expenses. 

Merchandise costs:

Caskets, urns, and other burial containers can be very expensive depending on the materials and design chosen.   Outer  burial containers or vaults are required in the majority of the cemeteries.  The delivery and setup fees add to the cost.

Embalming and preparation:

Embalming is often required for public viewings, adding to the cost. 

Permits and legal fees:

Obtaining necessary permits and death certificates from government agencies also contributes to the overall price.   For your convience, we pick these up for our families.

Transportation costs:

Transferring your loved one to the funeral home and to the cemetery or crematory can incur additional expenses. 

Therefore, a funeral home is a 24-hour, labor-intensive business, with extensive facilities (viewing rooms, chapels, limousines, hearses, etc.), which must be factored into the cost of a funeral. A majority of the expense is typically in the funeral home professional fees and merchandise for the funeral or memorial itself.  

At Peebles Funeral Home, we work with your budget to create a meaningful funeral that will honor the life of your loved one.  

You might choose ground burial of the urn. If so, you may usually choose either a bronze memorial or monument. Cremation niches in columbariums are also available at Fayette County Memorial Park Cemetery and other cemeteries. They offer the beauty of a mausoleum setting with the benefits of above ground placement of remains. Many cemeteries also offer scattering gardens. This area of a cemetery offers the peacefulness of a serene garden where family and friends can come and reflect.

Uncertainty about income tax issues can add to the stress experienced from the death of a spouse. You should meet with your family attorney and/or tax adviser as soon as possible to review your particular tax and estate circumstances. Bring a detailed list of your questions to the meeting. If you do not have an attorney or tax adviser, call the IRS toll-free at 800-829-1040 for answers to specific tax questions.

Losing a loved one can bring pain, grief, uncertainty, and confusion. A loss can also leave you with the responsibility of planning a funeral, requiring you to answer questions that you may have never considered. This combination can make you and your family feel lost, overwhelmed, and in need of a helping hand. A caring funeral director can be that helping hand.

Most funeral homes have funeral directors who are a source of assurance for families. Funeral directors are meant to be a comforting guide during the funeral planning process. However, if you’ve never had to plan a funeral before, how do you know which funeral director is best for your family?

One of the easiest ways to determine whether a funeral director is right for you and your family is by recognizing certain qualities they possess. From how they first greet you to how they check on you after the funeral, you deserve a caring professional who makes things easier during your time of pain.

Here’s a list of 11 qualities you look for in a funeral director who will best care for you and your family.

1. Caring

When you need the services of a funeral home, you’re likely experiencing one of the saddest seasons of your life. You need to know that the funeral professional serving you and your family deeply cares about your well-being. A caring funeral director will make you feel welcome, express their sorrow for your loss, and will let you know that everything will be taken care of. Listen to your instincts during your first interaction with a funeral director, as a genuine caring heart is easy to identify.

Adult daughter comforting old mom strokes holds her hand close up view.

2. Supportive

There are so many unique and special ways to celebrate the life of your loved one. So, you’ll want to work with someone who is supportive of your wishes. The right funeral director will encourage your choices and do everything possible to make your wishes a reality all while respecting your budget. Most funeral directors like to say that no request is too great and no detail is too small. That is the perfect mindset for someone who is eager to serve you.

3. Honest

An honest person can make the funeral planning process simple and easy. There are so many decisions that go into planning a funeral. You need an honest funeral director who will be upfront with you about your options, costs, logistics, and other important details. Honesty and transparency will make you feel at ease and confident throughout the funeral planning process.

4. Trustworthy

Similar to honesty, the right funeral director will never give you a reason to doubt their motives or promises. You can trust they will keep their word to you, no matter what. Chances are that problems will arise during the funeral planning process. However, a good funeral director will keep you informed and updated on any changes or issues.

Business people discussion advisor concept

5. Knowledgeable

If you’ve never had to plan a funeral, you may not know all the options available to you. That’s why it’s important to have a knowledgeable funeral director by your side who can help you plan a funeral that will honor the life of your loved one. They can suggest what a funeral should include and what details will best serve you and your family. Plus, the right funeral director will have experience in creating memorable funerals, and their knowledge will serve you well.

6. Strong Communicator

A funeral director who puts your needs first will always keep an open line of communication – especially if there are changes to the funeral plans. They will communicate new information quickly and accurately. They should also offer multiple ways for you to contact them (office phone, cell phone, email address, etc.) Most funeral directors want to make it easy for you to contact them, so find a funeral director that makes communication a priority.

7. Good Listener

You deserve to be valued and heard in your time of grief. A funeral director who listens just as well as they communicate will do just that. You will have many conversations with the funeral director, so it’s important that your words don’t fall on deaf ears. The right funeral director will listen to you and value any and all information you can give them.

Black female funeral director taking notes during an arrangement conference with female client.

8. Creative

A creative funeral director will give you unique ideas in helping you create a personalized tribute for your loved one. They can offer suggestions on how to properly honor the life of your loved one, no matter how traditional or contemporary of a funeral you want. This process usually starts with you telling the funeral director what made your loved one special and what their interests were. From there, a creative funeral professional can help you create a memorable goodbye that will showcase the special life of your loved one.

9. Patient

With grief consuming most of your thoughts during the funeral planning process, feeling overwhelmed is a perfectly normal reaction after losing a loved one. In those moments, you need someone who will calmly and patiently work with you as a friend and guide. You don’t need someone rushing you into decisions that you’re not comfortable with. Working with a patient funeral director will make you feel like you’re their sole priority and not just another funeral to schedule.

10. Empathetic

Empathy is one of the most important qualities to find! This characteristic can help build a bridge of lasting trust and confidence between you, your family, and the funeral director. You might wonder how funeral directors remain empathetic after helping so many grieving families. But that’s what makes the heart of a funeral director so special. The right person will show you that they truly understand the pain you’re feeling. This kindness can lead you to be more willing to place your faith in them and their ability to properly honor your loved one.

11. Organized

As we’ve discussed, planning a funeral takes time and requires a lot of decisions. You need a funeral director that won’t let any detail slip through the cracks. No matter how elaborate or simple your funeral is, the right professional will make sure everything is accounted for and that nothing goes overlooked. Additionally, an organized person will make sure that every member of your family is on the same page and that – to the best of their ability – everyone is happy with the funeral.

Funeral director's hand pick up Stack overload document report paper with colorful paperclip, business and paperless concept.

A funeral director who exhibits these qualities can give you and your family confidence, calmness, and assuredness during the funeral planning process and beyond. There are other qualities that make a great funeral director, but make sure they exhibit these qualities.

After all, a funeral director’s greatest calling is to be there for you when you need them most. They’ll be eager to prove that they are worthy of caring for you.

Selecting a funeral home is an important decision. The ownership of the funeral home is essential. We feel working with a family-owned funeral home provides the most flexibility and value for your money. Other qualities to consider are the professionalism and experience of the funeral directors, the range of services offered, the reputation of the funeral home in the community, and the value you will receive for their services.

If you are unfamiliar with the funeral homes in your area, consult a friend, relative, doctor, pastor, or local hospice group. Also, consider pre-arranging your funeral. Prearranging allows you to meet with several funeral homes to discuss your plans and desires. You’ll also learn about the range of services they can offer, as well as the costs involved before making a final decision.

When talking to different funeral directors, choose the funeral home that makes an extra effort to listen to your needs and genuinely wants to know your loved one. It is important to feel comforted and loved by the people who will care for your family during the most challenging time in their lives. If you feel rushed or like you are being taken advantage of, you should consider this a warning sign. Having a funeral director that you connect with and that is creative in identifying unique ways to honor your loved one is essential. Keep this in mind as you seek which funeral home is right for you.

Funeral Directors play many roles throughout the care of a family and their loved one.  Some of these include:

*  Comfort the family and help guide and educate them through the funeral process.

*  Pick up the deceased and transport the body to the funeral home.

*  Notify proper authorities, family, and/or relatives.

*  Arrange and prepare death certificates.

*  Provide certified copies of death certificates for insurance and benefit processing.

*  Notify Social Security Administration about the death.

*  Assist with Veterans Administration benefits.

*  Administration to ensure that necessary paperwork is filed for receipt of benefits.

*  Prepare and submit the obituary to the newspapers of your choice.  Also, post obituary notice to social media platforms.

*  Clean, disinfect and embalm the deceased body, if required.

*  Prepare the body for viewing, including dressing and cosmetic needs.

*  Assist the family with creating meaningful funeral arrangements.

*  Educate and assist with the purchase of casket, urn, burial vault, and cemetery plot.

*  Schedule the opening and closing of the grave with cemetery personnel if a burial is to be performed.

*  Coordinate with clergy if a funeral or memorial service is to be held.

*  Order funeral sprays and other flower arrangements as the family wishes.

*  Provide Aftercare or grief assistance to the bereaved.

*  Create a memorial tribute on our website that honors your loved one's life.  

Losing a loved one can feel overwhelming. Several things must be done immediately following a death. It can be helpful to ask someone you trust to help you with the following:

*  Notify the proper authorities. Authorities may include their physician, emergency medical personnel, or police, depending on where the death took place and if there was someone present at the time.

*  Call the funeral home any day of the week, day or night.

*  Make a list of immediate family, close friends, and employer or business colleagues. Notify each by phone.

*  Bring the following information to complete the State vital statistic requirements:

Birthdate

Birthplace

Father's Name

Mother's Name (Including Mother's Maiden)

Social Security Number

Veteran's Discharge (Form DD214)

Education

Marital Status

*  Decide on the time and place of the funeral or memorial service. This can be done at the funeral home, and the funeral director can contact your clergy.

*  Decide on an appropriate memorial to which gifts may be made (church, hospice, library, charity, or school).  Funeral Director can help with this.

*  Gather obituary information you want to include: age, place of birth, cause of death, occupation, college degrees, memberships held, military service, outstanding work, any hobbies, interesting facts and a list of survivors in their immediate family. The funeral home can write this for you and will submit it to the newspapers of your choice.

*  Arrange for family or close friends to take turns answering the door or phone, taking care of any pets and plants, and bringing the mail-in.

*  Schedule appointment with Social Security Administration regarding any benefits.

Yes, if you request immediate assistance.  If the family wishes to spend time with the deceased to say goodbye, that's perfectly acceptable. Your funeral director will come when you are ready for us to come take your loved one into our care.

Have you ever planned a funeral or memorial service? If you haven’t, then you’re in good company. Most people haven’t. That’s why it’s not surprising that you may not know the difference between funeral and memorial services. But today, we’re going to break things down, and hopefully, clear things up.

“Funeral” as a General Term

First, let’s talk about the word “funeral.” Often, it’s used in two different ways.

The word “funeral” can be used in a general sense to refer to the entire process of taking care of the body after death including all associated services. So, “Our family is planning the funeral” could mean either a traditional service or a memorial service, burial or cremation, simple or elaborate. As a culture, we’ve used the word “funeral” for so long that no matter what kind of service it may be, we still use “funeral” in a general sense in our conversations.

What’s the Difference Between a Funeral and Memorial Service?

At the risk of sounding anticlimactic, the difference between the two is quite simple: is the body present or not?

Funeral Service

At a funeral service, the body is present, often in a casket in a place of honor. Considered the traditional way of putting a loved one to rest in our culture, the funeral service often features common elements, such as the presence of a casket, religious rituals (if applicable), and  post-funeral burial. They also tend to take place in certain traditional locations.

Memorial Service

At a memorial service, the body is not present, though there may be an urn or a portrait in a place of honor. The specific nature of a memorial service can vary on a case-by-case basis depending on the choices you make. In general, though, a memorial service is a ceremony that memorializes and honors the deceased without the body present (regardless of whether burial or cremation is chosen).

And that’s the main difference between the two. However, let’s go a little deeper.

What are My Service Options?

Most of the time, we associate a memorial service with cremation. However, did you know you can have a viewing, visitation, and traditional service with cremation? Funerals (general use, here) are becoming more and more customizable, so there are lots of options available.

Here are 3 basic types of services:

Traditional Service with Burial

Traditional burial may be what comes to mind when you first think “funeral.” A long-time practice, traditional burial typically includes a viewing or visitation, a funeral service (with body present), a graveside committal, and often, some sort of informal gathering following the conclusion of services. After services are concluded, the body is taken to a cemetery and buried according to the family’s wishes.

Traditional Service Before Cremation

Believe it or not, you can have a traditional ceremony, viewing, and/or visitation even if you select cremation. You can choose a private family viewing or a public visitation. You could even hold a full funeral with the body present using a rented ceremonial casket. After the services are concluded, the body will be taken to the crematory so that cremation can take place.   

Memorial Service After Cremation

On the other hand, you can plan a memorial service where cremation takes place before the service. Most often, the family will place the urn or a portrait in a place of honor. If the family has elected to bury the urn, then there may be a committal service, but otherwise, it’s common to invite guests to an informal gathering (like a meal or reception) where they can share stories and memories.

No matter what type of service you select – funeral or memorial – the most important thing you can do is create a meaningful and healing event. With a personalized ceremony, you can give grieving loved ones a solid foundation by creating a special moment in time that can bring comfort and peace, allow everyone to say goodbye, and encourage each person to start the grief journey on the right foot.  

After all, the funeral or memorial isn’t for the dead; it’s for the living. It’s a chance to share stories, to reminisce about the sweet memories, to cry, to give and receive support, and most of all, to express what’s deep in our hearts as we say goodbye.  

Hopefully, you have a better understanding of the differences between funeral and memorial services as well as a general idea of the types of services that are available to you. There are other options – like natural burial or burial at sea or scattering – so make sure to talk with a reputable funeral home in your area. They can discuss all the options with you so that you can make decisions that balance your own personal wishes with the emotional needs of your family.

For many years, every funeral was pretty much the same – copy & paste – but times are changing! Today, most families and funeral homes are moving away from cookie-cutter funerals and toward personalization and modernization. What does that mean? It means that you have more options and more opportunities to honor a loved one’s life in a truly meaningful way. 

To give you a glimpse into the possibilities, let’s discuss 5 things you didn’t know you could do for a funeral. 

1. Choose Your Venue

Traditionally, funerals have taken place at the funeral home or in a place of worship. While you can still have the funeral at either of these places, you have even more options now. Funerals are now taking place at parks, local businesses, beaches, barns, golf courses, and many other places. If you prefer to have the service at the funeral home, do it! And if you’d rather choose a different venue entirely, talk with our funeral director about the possibilities in your area. 

2. Combine Traditional Elements with Cremation

Cremation has been considered the quick and easy option for a while. But really, there are a lot more choices than you’d think! You can still have the convenience of cremation while keeping traditional service elements. For example, you can have a service with the body present by using a rental casket (more info here). Then, after the service, the body is transported to the crematory instead of the cemetery. To learn more about your options, speak with a funeral director. 

3. Add Customized Personalization

When you’re saying goodbye to someone you love, it’s important to say it in a personal and meaningful way. That’s why families and funeral homes are moving toward customizing funeral and memorial services. No two people are the same, so it makes sense that the final tribute to a life lived should also be unique. But what can you do to personalize a service?

There are so many options, but here are a few to get you thinking:

Place a loved one’s ashes in cremation jewelry or have them pressed into a diamond

Use a horse-drawn carriage, a motorcycle, or even a fire engine to escort the casket to the cemetery

Include personal items at the service, like paintings, books, photos, crocheted items, or woodworking projects

Ask guests to wear a specific color or to follow a theme based on the deceased’s interests

Cater food from a favorite restaurant or include favorite homemade dishes

Play the deceased’s favorite music (no matter the genre)

While the funeral director is there to guide you in planning a loved one’s final tribute, you make the decisions. Don’t be afraid to put your ideas out there and see what’s possible. 

4. Livestream the Service

With families often living far apart these days, there’s a greater need to use technology to bring families together. Today, many funeral homes offer livestreaming to the families they serve, which allows more people to attend the service than might have otherwise been possible. Whether friends and family live too far away, are sick, can’t get out of work, or something else, livestreaming allows people near and far to participate in a loved one’s final goodbye.

5. Plan the Funeral Online

Did you know that it’s possible to plan a funeral online? It is! There are now services available that allow you to plan and pay for a funeral entirely online. You simply create an account, review the funeral home’s options, and make your selections. These tools are not widely used at this time, but the technology does exist and is likely to grow in use in the coming years. Peebles Funeral Home was a leader in this technology. 

As with any profession, funeral care continues to grow and change based on the needs of people – your needs. If you have feedback to offer a funeral home, don’t hesitate to drop a comment card or send an email. And if you had a stellar experience, leave a review on Google. 

In the years to come, even more new things will change within the funeral industry. But one thing will remain the same – our commitment to providing you with kind, compassionate, and knowledgeable service during a time of grief and loss. You can count on it!

Yes, you may use a life insurance to cover the funeral expenses.  Please see our following policy for insurance assignments:

INSURANCE ASSIGNMENTS STATEMENT

Peebles Funeral Home does not charge a fee to process insurance assignments.  However, if you choose to assign a life insurance policy to Peebles Funeral Home for payment of services provided, Matthews Funeral Funding will complete the claim process on your behalf.  As you may know, the privacy act enacted by the U.S. government does not allow insurance companies to release any information to funeral homes. Therefore, if you decide to utilize a life insurance policy to cover funeral expenses it is necessary for you to use a third party.  Matthews Funeral Funding has been approved by the state of Tennessee to handle insurance assignments and the filing of your claim.  Matthews Funeral Funding will handle the verification, required paperwork, and filing process for you.  Since this is a third party transaction, the approval process varies by insurance companies and is NOT controllable By Peebles Funeral Home.  This will delay scheduling the funeral service.  All services will be scheduled once approved.  The benefits from the insurance policy will be paid directly to Peebles Funeral Home for the requested amount and any additional funds will be paid to the policy’s beneficiaries.  Matthews Funeral Funding will withhold 4% of the amount you are requesting on the assignment/claim form.  Again, Peebles Funeral Home does not charge you a fee!  

Funeral expenses are classified into two categories:

1)  Our charges

2)  Cash advance expenses paid to third parties, such as the cemeteries, hairdressers, ministers, obituaries and death certificates or cremation permits.  

As a convenience to you, we are willing to administer payment to any third party on your behalf.  Confirmed provisions for payment in full are required at the conclusion of the arrangement conference.  Payment for all charges can be made using any of the options described below:

-  A verified personal check, cash or any major credit card.

-  Prefunded funeral policy arranged through our funeral home.

-  Prefunded funeral policy arranged through another funeral home as long as the policy can be verified and a copy of the policy is approved.  

-  Assignment of benefits from an assignable, in-force life insurance policy in the amount of the funeral charges only.  A fee from Matthews Funding will apply.

-  If needed, we can refer you to a local bank or lending institution for finacing options.   

The days after a loved one dies can be filled with many questions. “Should I choose burial or cremation?” “How do I write an obituary?” And for many families, “Should I even have a funeral?” is a pivotal question.

While everyone grieves differently, a funeral can be an important part of the grieving process and can help friends and family start their grief journey well. As you decide whether to have a funeral service, consider the purpose of a funeral and how it might benefit your family.

What is the Purpose of a Funeral?

Let’s start by looking at why we have funerals. Some people think funerals are just an outdated ritual, but funerals actually play an important role in the grieving process. A meaningful funeral can help surviving family members process their emotions about a loss.

According to Dr. Alan Wolfelt, author and grief expert, funerals are a way of “expressing our beliefs, thoughts and feelings about the death of someone loved.” He says the funeral ritual has six main purposes:

*  Help mourners acknowledge the reality of the death

*  Give testimony to the life of the deceased

*  Encourage the expression of grief

*  Provide support to mourners

*  Allow for the embracing of faith and beliefs about life and death

*  Offer hope for the living

Without a funeral, it can be hard for those left behind to come to terms with their loved one’s death. When you don’t have some kind of service, you may struggle with starting your grief journey. However, having some kind of meaningful service or ritual allows friends and family members to acknowledge the death of their loved one, express their grief, support each other, and start the grief journey off on the right foot.

What if Your Loved One Wasn’t Religious?

Not every funeral is religious! There are many ways to create a healing funeral service for someone who wasn’t religious. The most important parts of a funeral, like expressing your emotions and grieving with the support of others, don’t rely on religion. Instead of Bible verses, you could incorporate readings from your loved one’s favorite book or poems they enjoyed.

Remember that the funeral is a chance for family and friends to say goodbye and to gain support from others who are grieving. Even if you don’t want to have a full traditional service, having a less traditional service or an informal gathering can help you and everyone else on your grief journey.

What if Your Loved One Didn’t Want a Funeral?

Nowadays, many people insist they don’t want a big fuss when they die. Maybe your loved one always said, “Don’t do anything when I die. Just cremate me.” Or maybe they always insisted that funerals were a waste of money or time.

While the wishes of the person who died are very, very important, you should also carefully consider the needs of the family. A funeral isn’t just about the person who died; it’s also about providing a time for everyone to grieve together.

Instead of having a funeral, you could also choose an alternative, like a memorial service, a celebration of life, or a simple private or public gathering. These less traditional options can provide your family and friends with ways to mourn your loved one together.

To go back to the original question – “Should I have a funeral?” – the answer is a resounding YES. But what that funeral looks like is entirely up to your family. As you explore your different funeral options, consider what you, your family, and your loved ones need. Saying goodbye to someone you love is hard, but having a funeral can help you all express your emotions and support each other. Whether you choose to have a full traditional service or a more casual gathering, having some sort of funeral ritual will help you and your loved ones start your grief journey on the right foot.

Let our experienced directors help you today.  Please give us a call and we will be honored to help you.  

LIFE INSURANCE QUESTIONS

What is the purpose of life insurance?

The purpose of life insurance is to provide financial security to your loved ones after you die. It can help pay for debts, cover lost income, and fund long-term goals. Life insurance was originally created to replace the loss of income when someone died.

How to file a life insurance claim after death occurs?

To file a life insurance claim after a death occurs, you need to: contact the insurance company, locate the policy details, request claim forms, gather necessary documents like a certified copy of the death certificate and your identification, complete the forms with accurate information, and submit them to the insurance company for review and approval; the company will then pay out the death benefit to the designated beneficiary if the claim is approved. 

What is an incontestable period on a life insurance policy?

An "incontestable period" in life insurance refers to a specific timeframe, usually two years, after a policy is issued where an insurance company can investigate and potentially deny a claim based on misrepresentations made on the application; after this period, the policy becomes "incontestable" and the company generally cannot deny a claim due to past inaccuracies unless there was intentional fraud involved. 

Can you take a loan out on your life insurance policy?

You can only borrow against a whole life insurance policy or a universal life insurance policy. Policy loans reduce the death benefit if not paid off. Life insurance companies add interest to the loan balance, which if unpaid can cause the policy to lapse. Only permanent life insurance builds cash value.

Can you use the proceeds from the life insurance policy to pay for the funeral?

Yes, but please read the following about insurance assignments:

INSURANCE ASSIGNMENTS STATEMENT

Peebles Funeral Home does not charge a fee to process insurance assignments.  However, if you choose to assign a life insurance policy to Peebles Funeral Home for payment of services provided, Matthews Funeral Funding will complete the claim process on your behalf.  

As you may know, the privacy act enacted by the U.S. government does not allow insurance companies to release any information to funeral homes. Therefore, it is nearly impossible for us to access information on the policy to verify if the policy is in force and free of any loans, beyond the contestability period or verify the beneficiary.  If you would like to utilize a life insurance policy to cover funeral expenses, it is necessary to use a third party to handle all the processing details.  

Matthews Funeral Funding has been approved by the state of Tennessee to handle insurance assignments.  Matthews Funeral Funding will handle the verification, required paperwork, and filing process for you.  The benefits from the insurance policy will be paid directly to Peebles Funeral Home for the requested amount and any additional funds will be paid to the policy’s beneficiaries.  Matthews Funeral Funding will withhold 4% of the amount you are requesting.  There is no charge from Peebles Funeral Home to handle this on your behalf.

Yes, the proceeds from a life insurance policy can be used to pay for a funeral service.   Please read the statement below to get an understanding of how this works.

INSURANCE ASSIGNMENTS STATEMENT

Peebles Funeral Home does not charge a fee to process insurance assignments.  However, if you choose to assign a life insurance policy to Peebles Funeral Home for payment of services provided, Matthews Funeral Funding will complete the claim process on your behalf.  

As you may know, the privacy act enacted by the U.S. government does not allow insurance companies to release any information to funeral homes. Therefore, it is nearly impossible for us to access information on the policy to verify if the policy is in force and free of any loans, beyond the contestability period or verify the beneficiary.  If you would like to utilize a life insurance policy to cover funeral expenses, it is necessary to use a third party to handle all the processing details.  

Matthews Funeral Funding has been approved by the state of Tennessee to handle insurance assignments.  Matthews Funeral Funding will handle the verification, required paperwork, and filing process for you.  The benefits from the insurance policy will be paid directly to Peebles Funeral Home for the requested amount and any additional funds will be paid to the policy’s beneficiaries.  Matthews Funeral Funding will withhold 4% of the amount you are requesting.  There is no charge from Peebles Funeral Home to handle this on your behalf.

To be fair to other families that we are serving, Peebles Funeral Home will not reserve or schedule the funeral until Matthews Funeral Funding has approved the benefits from the life insurance company.  

Probate is the legal process of administering a deceased person's estate, including distributing assets and paying debts. It can also refer to the court that oversees this process. 

How probate works:

Validate the will: The court verifies that the will is valid and legally binding.

Inventory assets: The court makes a list of the deceased's property and values each item.

Pay debts and taxes: The court ensures that all debts and taxes are paid.

Distribute assets: The court distributes assets to the beneficiaries as specified in the will or by court order.

When probate is required:

• When there is no will
• When the estate is complex or has many assets
• When the will is contested

Probate and delays:

Probate can be time-consuming and complicated, which can delay the distribution of assets. 

Avoiding probate:

One way to avoid probate is to establish a living trust. In this arrangement, the trust owner chooses which assets to put in the trust and who will manage them. 

Peebles Funeral Home is a business and must receive payment from all families in order to maintain stability and serve our communites.  A funeral home needs to be paid to cover the costs of services provided, including staff, facilities, transportation, preparation of the body, and other necessary arrangements. This ensures we can continue to operate and provide proper care to families during a difficult time; essentially, payment allows us to fulfill our obligations to the deceased and their loved ones while also maintaining financial stability as a business. 

Key points about why a funeral home needs to be paid:

• Operational costs:

Funeral homes incur expenses like staff salaries, building maintenance, vehicle upkeep, and licenses, which require consistent revenue to cover. 

• Third-party payments:

Funeral homes often need to pay other entities like cemeteries, crematoriums, and florists on behalf of the family, necessitating upfront payment from the client. 

• Financial stability:

A stable financial situation allows the funeral home to invest in necessary equipment upgrades, improvements, provide quality services, and remain operational during challenging economic times. 

• Prepaid funeral plans:

When individuals prepay for their funeral arrangements, it gives the funeral home a secured source of income to cover future expenses.  All prepaid funerals are paid directly to an insurance company approved by the State of Tennessee to handle pre-arrangements.  The funds are not released to Peebles Funeral Home until death occurs.

• Peace of mind for families:

Ensuring the funeral home is paid can alleviate stress for grieving families, allowing them to focus on honoring their loved one without worrying about financial burdens. 

Value of a Viewing

When a loved one dies, it is common to experience a variety of emotions, including sadness, anger and fear. It’s also very common to experience denial. Naturally, it’s difficult to imagine our lives without someone with whom we’ve spent time and created memories. As a result, we may think it will lessen the pain if we simply move on, without any ceremony, such as a funeral or memorial service. These feelings can be even more difficult to navigate if loved ones were estranged from the individual who died or had an otherwise strained relationship.

Regardless of the circumstances, it may seem like the easiest thing to do is move on as quickly as possible and avoid the emotions that often accompany a funeral. In addition, the thought of viewing the body of a family member or friend can be uncomfortable for many. That’s understandable. We’re sad because our loved one is no longer with us and it can be difficult to imagine viewing his or her lifeless body.

Often, people say they want to remember the person as they were when they were alive. By all means, this is important. However, viewing the body of a loved one helps family and friends acknowledge the loss and makes it almost impossible to deny the death has occurred. This is the first step in healing.

Viewing a body isn’t easy; however, it can play a very important role in helping loved ones move forward in their grief. There are two kinds of viewing: private and public.

A private viewing takes place in the chapel or viewing room of the funeral home. It gives a small group of family members and friends who may not be comfortable expressing their grief the opportunity to grieve in a more private setting. It can also be appropriate when a loved one dies following a debilitating disease or a traumatic accident, making the family less inclined to have an open casket.

A public viewing gives extended family and friends the opportunity to gather, in a shared environment, begin to acknowledge the loss and take the first steps in moving forward. It also allows the family to share in this communal experience so they don’t feel alone and isolated in their loss. Public viewings may be held at the funeral home, a church, a chapel in a nursing home and sometimes a high school, especially if many mourners are expected. A funeral director can provide you with options.

Embalming is not always necessary, especially for a private viewing, but can create a pleasing appearance for a public viewing. Peebles Funeral Home requires embalming for all public viewings, also referred to as a public visitation.

According to the 2020 NFDA Value of a Funeral Consumer Study, of those who did not have services for a loved one, 24% said not having a viewing of their loved one made their grief journey more difficult.

What to Expect When Viewing A Body:

Viewing the body of a loved one is something most of us will only do a few times in our lives. It is common to have a variety of emotions, including anxiety, sadness, anger or disbelief. Your emotions may be different from those of others who have joined you for the viewing and that’s okay.

Depending on the circumstances, you may want to ask your funeral director what to expect before you go into the viewing room, especially if your loved one experienced traumatic injury. Being prepared will set expectations for how he or she will be presented, positioned and dressed.

When some people see the body of their loved one, they remark that he or she doesn’t look as they remember. This is common because a person who has died will of course never look exactly as they did while alive. Therefore, it’s important to set expectations for yourself that your loved one won’t look exactly as you knew him or her. Others may comment that the person actually looks better than they had, especially if the individual had been gravely ill for a long time. Through embalming, a funeral director can often carefully create a pleasing appearance that is comforting to loved ones, even when the individual had significant injuries or had become very frail.

Children and Viewing:

The decision regarding whether children should view the body of a loved one can be a difficult one for some parents and guardians. Parents of course know their children best and the ultimate decision rests with the family. However, being honest with children about death is crucial in preparing them to deal with the grief that will come. While there may be instances when it’s not advisable for children to view the body, when it is an option, a viewing can be very important in allowing them to move forward in a healthy way, just as it is for adults.

Viewing and Cremation:

Families that choose cremation have many options and much flexibility when determining how to best memorialize the life of their loved one. This can include a public or private viewing before the cremation takes place. If you decide to have a public viewing, speak with your funeral director regarding options for a cremation or rental casket.

A Viewing Following a Tragic or Violent Death:

When a loved one dies tragically, such as by overdose or suicide, the loss can be particularly difficult and traumatic. It can be tempting to move on quickly, without a viewing or funeral. The cause of death, however, shouldn’t dissuade the family from having a funeral and offering family and friends an opportunity to view the body of their loved one.

Sometimes the decision to have a viewing can be a difficult one, especially if there were significant injuries or the individual’s physical appearance was significantly affected by addiction or illness. A funeral director can guide you in the options available to you through reconstruction and embalming and you can make the decision regarding whether you would like to have a viewing, either private or public.

There are times when a funeral director will advise against having a viewing of the body. In some instances, he or she may give you the option of holding a hand or touching a foot. Doing so can help a parent, sibling, other relative or friend acknowledge the loss. This can be very therapeutic and liberating as it relates to their grief.

A funeral in these circumstances also provides you with the opportunity to bring attention to a specific cause (suicide, addiction, etc.) and encourage open discussion about the issue and how it has elevated the grief experienced by loved ones. This is, of course a very personal decision.

Value of a Service

Simply mention the word "funeral" and it can evoke a wide variety of emotions. For many, the likely response is sadness as the memory of losing a loved one is the first thing that comes to mind. For others, the reaction is one of fear because they have never attended a funeral and know that one day they will be forced to confront this reality.

Many persons are likely to respond with a combination of feelings ranging from sorrow to peace of mind. While the sadness is for the aforementioned reason, the source of their comfort could be from the fond memories of a well-planned, personalized funeral that honored their loved one's life and legacy. 

Whether you or your loved one are members of a formal religion, are spiritual but not religious, or have other beliefs, a funeral is a unique way of honoring a person’s life and can be a great source of comfort to those survivors who are grieving the loss.

Be assured that your NFDA funeral director is ready to help you understand the value of the funeral. He or she will inform, educate and help you understand all of your options so that you may plan a funeral that is fitting to the unique life that was lived.

The Funeral

Helps confirm the reality and finality of death.

Provides a climate for mourning and the expression of grief.

Allows the sorrows of one to become the sorrows of many.

Is one of the few times love is given and not expected in return.

Is a vehicle for the community to pay its respects.

Encourages the affirmation of religious faith.

Is a declaration that a life that has been lived as well as a sociological statement that a death has occurred.

~The Funeral from Ancient Egypt to Present Day America

The funeral provides family members and friends an environment to offer comfort, support to one another and share their thoughts and feelings about the life of the deceased. It can be a formal, structured event based on religious ritual, a less formal gathering in a special place, or perhaps something else in between. A primary importance of the funeral lies in honoring the life lived and allowing the surviving family and friends to share in their loss and gain support from one another.

 The ritual of attending a funeral service deliver many benefits including:

• Providing a social support system for the grieving family and friends.
• Helping those grieving to understand death is final and that death is part of life.
• Integrating the grieving family back into the community.
• Easing the transition to a new life after the death of a loved one.
• Providing a safe haven for embracing and expressing emotions.
• Reaffirming one’s relationship with the person who died.
• Providing a time to honor the person's life and to say good-bye.

Grief is whatever you think and feel inside about the death. Any thoughts, emotions, physical symptoms, and even unexpected behaviors you are experiencing because of the death are part of your grief.

Sometimes people think of grief as sadness. Actually, grief is much more than that. Grief is often a combination of feelings such as shock, confusion, anxiety, anger, regret, and sadness. The mixture of feelings can change from minute to minute or from day to day.

Your mind is trying to understand the death. You may find yourself thinking about memories, the events leading up to the death, practical worries, concerns about the future, and more. You might be having a hard time concentrating. All these thoughts are a natural part of your grief, too.

Your body experiences grief as well. You may be having trouble sleeping. Your energy levels may be low. Muscle aches and pain, tightness in your throat or chest, headaches, digestion troubles, and heart palpitations are also common.

Finally, you may be behaving differently. You might be crying, pacing, yelling, or isolating yourself. Your interactions with others might seem out of character. Whatever your behavior may be right now, as long as you’re not hurting yourself or anyone else, it’s OK. It’s a normal and necessary part of your grief.

                                           Written by Dr. Alan Wolfelt

Peebles Funeral Home does not finance funerals.  However, Lendiing USA will finance to qualified individuals.  Please go to their link below:

https://borrower.lendingusa.com/?iframe=2&ClickID=