Frequently Asked Questions

What type of services do you offer?
Is embalming necessary?
What are vaults and grave liners?
Are vaults always required for Earth burial?
Must I be a member of a church in order for a Mass of Christian Burial to be offered?
What benefits are available to Veterans?
What if the death occurs out of the state or country?
What can be done with the remains if a cremation is chosen?
I live all by myself, who will take care of me when I die?
Why should I make pre-arrangements?

What type of services do you offer?

Although you will be able to arrange any type of funeral service to suit your personal preferences, the following types of services are those which would be considered traditional:

Viewing, next day church service, followed by burial, entombment or cremation.
Viewing, next day service at the funeral home, followed by burial, entombment or cremation.
Viewing, service at the funeral home, followed by burial, entombment or cremation, all occurring on the same day.
Viewing, church service followed by burial, entombment or cremation, all occurring, on the same day.
Direct Burials with graveside services.
Direct Cremations with memorial services held either at church or at the funeral home.
Direct Cremations with no services

Is embalming necessary?

New Jersey State Law requires a body to be embalmed if disposition does not take place within 48 hours, unless the body is refrigerated (N.J.A.C. 8:9-11) If you choose an open casket the body must be embalmed.

What are vaults and grave liners?

Vaults are lined and sealed concrete outer burial containers which prevent the grave from caving in due to the weight of the earth and cemetery equipment. They are designed to protect the casket by reducing the risk of intrusion of exterior elements. Concrete grave liners are outer burial containers designed to withstand the weight of the Earth to prevent the grave from collapsing. This gives the minimal protection and is not lined or sealed. We have a variety of outer burial containers for you to choose from. Our funeral directors can explain any further questions you may have.

Are vaults always required for Earth burial?

No. Each cemetery determines its own vault requirements. Some cemeteries do require vaults while others do not. Our funeral directors will inform you about whether or not a vault purchase is needed for the particular cemetery chosen.

Must I be a church member in order for a Mass of Christian Burial?

You do not need to be a member of a church in order for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated.

What benefits are available to Veterans?

Veterans are entitled to a burial free of charge for themselves, their spouse, and one dependant child. The burial will be in the Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown, NJ. The veteran must me a resident of NJ to be buried there. They also have niches there for cremains.

We contact the cemetery, but they dictate to us when the burial will take place. We can only request a date and time. The cemetery has the final say as to when the burial will occur. The gravesite will be marked with a headstone supplied by the Veterans Cemetery. The funeral director can discuss all other benefits that veterans are entitled to receive at the arrangement conference. You also have the option of pre-registering with the cemetery so that all necessary paperwork can be completed ahead of time.

What if the death occurs out of the state or country?

It is important that you contact us first, we will call a reliable funeral home in the place where the death occurred and make the necessary arrangements to transport the deceased back home where the remaining services can take place.

What can be done with the remains if a cremation is chosen?

Cremated remains can be put in an urn and kept at home, they can be buried in a cemetery, they can be placed in a niche in a cemetery, or they can be scattered. We have a large variety of urns on display at the funeral home for you to choose from.

I live all by myself, who will take care of me when I die?

You can include your funeral wishes in your will and name an executor or executrix to ensure your wishes are carried out. If you do not name a person, the state will assign an administrator to handle your estate. To ease your worries, you can make pre-arrangements with the funeral home so you can be sure everything is in order and will take place smoothly when the event occurs.

Why should I make pre-arrangements?

Advanced planning allows families to consider options available to them without the burden of emotional stress, which accompanies death. The planning of a funeral can be overwhelming if not given forethought. You can take full control of your own funeral when planned ahead, relieving the pressure on your loved one in their time of grief.