Why use a funeral director? What does a funeral director really do? What does it mean to be licensed funeral director? Why have a funeral? Why have a viewing? What is the purpose of embalming? What questions should I ask when considering a plot? Are the type of monuments and memorials at cemeteries restricted? What is a grave liner and is it required? How does a burial vault differ from a grave liner? Does cremation substitute for a funeral? Can the funeral service be customized? When should a funeral service be scheduled? Where should the funeral service be held? Does the funeral service have to be conducted by a minister? Why plan ahead? What if I need to reach a funeral director in the middle of the night? What about benefits? Are there discounts with airlines if I have to fly to a funeral? Why use a funeral director? Did you know that there are over 50 details to work out when planning a funeral? Making wise choices that are very personal requires that you be adequately informed. While information is available through a variety of sources, a funeral director is your one resource to answer your questions and handle all the details in your time of need. And with so many details to care for and arrangements to coordinate, a funeral director can step in and make sure everything is handled completely and professionally for you. At Ott/Haverstock, we are dedicated to your needs. What does a funeral director really do? As funeral directors, we are caregivers and administrators. We make the arrangements for transportation of the deceased, complete the necessary paperwork, and implement the choices made by the family regarding the funeral and disposition of the body. But, on a more personal note, we are also listeners, advisors, and supporters. Ott/Haverstock has over 125 years of experience in assisting the bereaved in coping with death. We are here to support your personal needs, answer questions about grief, recognize when there appears to be difficulty coping, and recommend sources of additional assistance. What does it mean to be licensed funeral director? In Indiana, it means adhering to the ethics and standards set in the industry, including having the recommended number of years of preparatory and continuing education. It also means that you will be treated professionally and that you will receive the very best care. Being a licensed funeral director provides you the assurance that you will be afforded the best in care at a reasonable price. On that, you have our personal Ott/Haverstock guarantee. Why have a funeral? A funeral is the customary way to recognize death and its finality. Funerals are recognized rituals for the living to show respect for the dead and to help survivors begin the grieving process. A funeral is a recognized way to say goodbye to the deceased with dignity and respect. Why have a viewing? A viewing is part of many cultural and ethnic traditions. Many grief specialists believe that viewing aids in the grief process by helping the bereaved recognize the reality of death. Viewing is encouraged for even children, as long as the process is explained and the activity voluntary. Children can benefit from viewing the deceased, as their imaginations can often make the appearance of the body worse than it really is. Since this is the last time family and friends will see this person, the viewing can leave positive memories, with the deceased closely appearing as they did in life. Ott/Haverstock can coordinate public and private family viewings that meet your specific needs. What is the purpose of embalming? Embalming sanitizes and preserves the body, retards the body's natural decomposition process, and enhances the appearance of a body disfigured by traumatic death or illness. Embalming makes it possible to extend the time between death and the funeral service, thus allowing family members time to arrange and attend the funeral service. With public viewings, embalming is often required. However, some religions and cultures prohibit the practice of embalming, instead requiring that the body be buried within 24 hours. Embalming is not required by law. Only in special cases (i.e., when death is caused by a contagious disease) is embalming required by law. The staff at Ott/Haverstock is here to explain the needs for embalming with respect to your personal situation. What questions should I ask when considering a plot? What exactly is a plot? It's the location where the deceased will be laid to final rest, typically in a cemetery. There are many considerations when evaluating a plot. Here are just a few of the many questions you should ask to make sure you are selecting the best plot for your personal needs: Does the plot meet the requirements of your religion? What restrictions are placed on the types of monuments and burial vaults? Does the price include perpetual care and maintenance? Are other plots available in the same location to provide for burial of my entire family? Do I want ground burial or mausoleum burial, and are both available? Are the type of monuments and memorials at cemeteries restricted? Many cemeteries do have restrictions on monuments and memorials. Likewise, many also restrict the placement of flowers and remembrance items. At Ott/Haverstock, we can help you understand and comply with these restrictions, while keeping in mind your personal desires. What is a grave liner and is it required? A grave liner is a reinforced concrete wall that is used to prevent the grave from sinking or collapsing. Most cemeteries do require grave liners. How does a burial vault differ from a grave liner? Like a grave liner, a burial vault is used to protect the grave from sinking or collapsing. However, a burial vault is a more substantial and expensive option than a grave liner. Further, a burial vault is normally sold with a warranty, while a grave liner is not warranted. Does cremation substitute for a funeral? Cremation is an alternative to earth burial, often following a traditional funeral service. Only unless a direct cremation is selected is there no preceding funeral service. Recent statistics indicate that direct cremation only occurred in 3% of all deaths. Overall, cremation as an alternative to traditional burial accounts for 21% of all deaths (according to Cremation Association of North America statistics for 1995). Can the funeral service be customized? We will make every effort to customize the memorial service precisely to individual tastes. There are many ways to have a service unique to the deceased including personal eulogies, special music, display of personal items and pictures, and video tributes. Ott/Haverstock will work with you to ensure the service is as personalized as you'd like it to be. When should a funeral service be scheduled? Some religions and customs require the body be buried within 24 hours, which may be the determining factor in scheduling a funeral. As a general rule, you should allow enough time for out-of-town guests to make travel arrangements and arrive in time for the service. Area guests will normally be able to accommodate this time frame. Ott/Haverstock will coordinate your planning and work with you to ensure that everyone is included and ample time accounted for. Where should the funeral service be held? The funeral service is traditionally held in a church or in one of the Ott/Haverstock chapels. Another option is to hold the service graveside, or perhaps at a family residence. If cremation is employed, keep in mind that EPA regulations restrict where cremation remains can be scattered. Of course, we at Ott/Haverstock are here to assist you in planning your entire service from beginning to end. Does the funeral service have to be conducted by a minister? There is no requirement that a member of the clergy perform a memorial service. However, if one is desired, we can handle this coordination for you, including locating one if you do not already have one, as well as planning to ensure the clergy understands your personal desires. Why plan ahead? Unfortunately, many people wait to make plans until someone dies. We understand that funeral planning is a difficult process, but advance planning can help everyone and make time later better spent in grieving, remembering, and supporting each other. For more information on advance planning, please click here. What if I need to reach a funeral director in the middle of the night? Not a problem. Ott/Haverstock is available 24 hours a day to serve your needs. We will respond immediately, or as the individual situation requires. For more information, please click here. What about benefits? Ott Haverstock has years of experience in coordinating funerals and are familiar with the various benefits available to the deceased. From Social Security death benefits, Veteran's benefits, and others, we help identify available benefit sources and file the necessary paperwork. Are there discounts with airlines if I have to fly to a funeral? Most of the major airlines do offer reduced fares for funerals. Discounts range from 50% to 70% off the full-fare price of a round-trip coach-class ticket. Some airlines even offer the 7-day advance purchase price for tickets purchased up to the last minute for a funeral. These discounts are typically limited to immediate family only, with some airlines extending this to life partners, domestic partners, and clergy serving funerals. Some degree of proof (i.e., copy of death certificate, contact numbers for the attending physician or hospital or funeral home, etc.) will be required to obtain these reduced fares. Airlines will usually require this proof at the time of reservation or at check-in. Prior to booking any air travel, be sure to check with your airline or travel agent for current and complete information. Back to Top Legal Notice Privacy Statement Another quality site by Copyright © Ott/Haverstock Funeral and Cremation Services