Other than a few records and documents and, perhaps, some family jewelry or heirlooms, your ancestor’s tombstone is the only physical evidence of the life they lived. There is nothing in your genealogical research that will connect you to your ancestor more than to stand in the one place on earth which contains their mortal remains and to see important pieces of their life carved into stone. It is an amazing, awe-inspiring experience for your family tree.

In planning a funeral, many families make costly mistakes because they have little or no experience in this area. Just to give you an idea of how easy it is to make a mistake and how quickly it occurs, the first mistake may happen the moment you call the funeral home to pick up the body. Did you just select the closest funeral home without comparing prices?

A funeral can be a huge financial burden. Doing a funeral requires making many decisions regarding costly expenses quickly. Time pressure and anxiety often results in paying too much. Funeral homes are aware of your plight and many will take advantage. Since the funeral home usually helps you make your decisions, this may lead to excessive funeral expenses.

Make an informed decision about the many cemetery services available to you. Memorial counselors can assist you in selecting your cemetery property, along with accessories and services, which will best meet your needs and desires. Ground burial, mausoleum entombment, or cremation. Cremated remains may be interred, presented to the family, or scattered. Discuss the interment options available to help reach a decision based on your personal feelings and beliefs.