"THE INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY"

Funeral directors deal with information - for death certificates, obituaries, background for clergy and eulogists, and etc.

In the course of dealing with families, funeral directors not only deal with close families that have gotten along, they face family "feuds", "skeletons in closets", "sordid details", family "secrets", unresolved anger and people not talking to each other. Every family is different. Every situation has its own set of challenges. Just be up-front and honest.

It is important that the funeral director be apprised of the situation at hand. He needs to know if someone is angry at someone else. He needs to know if someone isn't talking to someone else. He needs to know if one person won't sit next to someone else. He needs to know things that will allow him to deal with each family member fairly and impartially, and not make any assumptions during the time he deals with them. All information is strictly confidential, and there is client/professional privilege. The funeral director needs to know who will be in charge of making arrangements, who he can go to for information and who he is to turn to for payment once service is rendered. He needs to know what to expect; many times he does not know the family he Is serving. Lack of knowledge spawns unwelcome surprises at times.

"SATISFACTION - GUARANTEED"

A first-time experience with a funeral director can be scary. There ARE differences between funeral directors, funeral homes and prices that are charged. You owe it to yourself to be clear about all details and costs involved. Some people have had a bad experience elsewhere. Sometimes people are unhappy with the appearance of their loved one. Sometimes changes are needed in one or several areas. YOU HAVE TO SAY SOMETHING: funeral directors are not mind-readers. They will also knock themselves out to make things right with you. Maybe you need a clarification or maybe you need an explanation. Making assumptions usually results in disappointments. When in doubt: ASK!

OBITUARIES & FLOWERS

Of non-funeral home items that cause the most heartache, its obituaries and flowers. Be clear about information you give and CHECK for correct spellings. Give all the information you'd like to see in an obituary. Make sure its right BEFORE its printed.
Decide what you want to do with flowers BEFORE the service is over. Decide who will get what and whether you want the flowers delivered or you (or others) will pick them up. Decide if you want any distributed to nursing homes. They are YOUR flowers for consideration.

FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS

Your funeral director provides a service. He DESERVES to be paid for the service he provides.

If finances are tight, that needs to be discussed BEFORE arrangements are made. If finances are strained, explore options BEFORE decisions are made. Your funeral director can guide you to choices that you can afford, letting him get paid in a timely fashion.

Be up-front and flexible. You'll be pleased to see your funeral director be the same way.  If emergencies arise, STAY IN TOUCH. He'll understand and work with you. But, the bill must be paid.

DELINQUENCIES

Once a funeral is over, some families are very anxious to have the funeral bill paid quickly. The funeral home appreciates that. Other families, unfortunately, seem quick to forget that with everything over, there still is an outstanding balance that needs to be paid.
Generally, the funeral home is willing to work with a family, even to the point of monthly payments, to have the balance paid. 
In some cases, families not paying on a timely basis or who are continually slow in payments have such activity reported to the major Credit Recording organizations.
For families who continue to not take care of their agreed upon financial obligation, the funeral home may be forced to begin legal action to satisfy the outstanding debt.

GRAVE MARKERS

In most cases, families choose to mark the grave of a loved one with a grave marker or what is sometimes called a "headstone", because the marker is generally placed at the head end of the grave and in most cases has the writing facing toward the rising sun or toward the east.
While it is not a primary business of the funeral home, grave markers are available through the funeral home and ordered through a larger reputable marker company. Generally, prices are competitive with other marker companies, while markers are offered more for the convenience of clients who do not care to go out and shop different companies or who would prefer to deal with the funeral home in this regard.
Several different types of Veteran markers are available at no cost to the family and often, the funeral home will assist the family in ordering this type of marker.

MARKER ETCHING

Sometimes,  a family has purchased a grave marker prior to a death.  This gives the person whose name is on it a say in how the marker is going to look.  Most companies, given the time between purchase and the time of actual need, do not include the cost of inscribing the date of death into a marker previously purchased.   There is usually an additional charge to have this done at the time of death.  
As a convenience, the funeral home can contact an independent party who etches markers right at the cemetery. Usually this cost is comparable or less than the cost charged by a marker company.