FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Will someone notify me once my loved one arrives at the funeral home?
When can I view my loved one?
What type of clothing should I bring for my loved one?
When is payment due for my loved one’s service?
Does Barrett Funeral Home – Oglethorpe Chapel service areas outside of Oglethorpe County?
Does Barrett Funeral Home – Oglethorpe Chapel make funeral arrangements at the next of kin’s home?
Can I customize the funeral service?
Do you have caskets and/or urns for me or any member of my family to select from?
Why should I plan a funeral for my loved one?
What tasks are involved in arranging a funeral?
There can be as many as 200 tasks when planning a funeral. Many of them are listed below. Our Funeral Director will coordinate most of these for you, after meeting with you at a private consultation.
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Obtain the signature of the attending physician, coroner or medical examiner on the required certificate; file the certificate with the registrar of vital statistics where the death occurred
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Ensure compliance with government regulators
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Transfer the deceased from the place of death to the funeral home (local or out of town)
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Obtain family history
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Make decisions regarding the remains of the deceased
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Determine the budget (if funeral has not been pre-arranged)
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Determine the funeral or memorial service location(s), such as church, chapel, or graveside
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Plan for a viewing/visitation and determine open or closed casket
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Choose the final resting place (cemetery, mausoleum, private land, etc.)
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Make necessary arrangements with clergy, church and cemetery officials
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Obtain certified copies of the death certificate, as necessary
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Procure the burial permit and file with the cemetery
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Select and purchase the casket, outer burial container or urn
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Select a monument/marker
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Order and schedule the delivery of all products/merchandise
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Compose and submit newspaper and other media notices
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Choose clothing & jewelry
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Select poems, scripture, readings
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Select music: taped, live musicians, etc.
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Choose pallbearers
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Arrange for transportation of the deceased
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Secure flower/equipment trucks, as necessary
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Purchase acknowledgement cards, register books, memorial folders, etc.
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Purchase a door wreath & flowers
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Arrange for family transportation
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Complete social security papers and secure social security benefits
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Secure Veterans benefits (if applicable)
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Secure life insurance benefits (if applicable)
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Contact insurance agents
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Complete accounting, clerical and filing work
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Answer telephone calls
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Notify other organizations that your loved one participated in
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Deliver flowers to local nursing homes, hospitals etc. following the funeral
What do funeral directors do?
Funeral directors are caregivers, advisors, and administrators. They make the arrangements for the transportation of the body, complete all necessary paperwork, and carry out the wishes of the family regarding the funeral and final disposition of the body. They have experience assisting the bereaved in coping with death, are trained to answer questions about grief, and can recommend sources of professional help.