1. Five questions any consumer should ask themselves about funeral arrangements for themselves or someone they care about.
2. How much should the funeral cost ?
3. How can I find out about funeral costs ?
4. Do I need a casket or container ?
5. Can I rent a casket ?
6. Can I buy a casket from someone other that a Funeral Home ?
7. Who is responsible for making funeral arrangements ?
8. Is embalming always required ?
9. How do I choose between cremation and burial ?
10. What are some basic guidelines to remember when arranging funeral services ?
11. Is there a difference in funeral homes ?
12. Why should I choose P.X. Dermody Funeral Homes ?
13. What is the advantage of a Pre-arranged funeral ?
14. How do I pre-arrange a funeral ?
15. Can I pay for my funeral pre-arrangement ?
1. Five questions any consumer should ask themselves about funeral arrangements for themselves or someone they care about:
1. Who will arrange the funeral?
- A family member
- An executor or public trustee
- A good friend or neighbor
- Not sure
- Funeral will be pre-arranged
- Life Insurance
- Savings
- Loan
- Family members
- Social Assistance or other benefits
- Not sure
- Funeral will be prepaid by monthly or one-time pre-payments
- No service, just an immediate cremation or burial
- Religious service
- Memorial service
- Service at graveside or crematorium
- Visitation or gathering with family and friends
- Reception for family and friends
- Cremation or Burial
- Combination of some of the above
- Other Personal choices
- Not sure
- $1,000 to $2,000
- $2,000 to $3,000
- $3,000 to $4,000
- $4,000 to $5,000
- $5,000 to $6,000
- Over $6,000
- Uncertainty over the type arrangements desired
- Emotional stress on those making arrangements
- Financial burden
- Disagreements and conflicts
- Unavailability of pre-arrangement information
- Other
- None expected
If you would like assistance or more information about pre-arrangements or our "No Payment Pre-Arrangements", please call us at (905) 572-7900 or email us at info@pxdermodyfuneral.com
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2. How much should the funeral cost ?
Costs vary greatly depending on the funeral service provider and the type of merchandise and service you choose. In the City of Hamilton, Ontario, for example, service charges for a traditional funeral service - with two days of visitation, embalming, use of facilities, funeral vehicles, stationary, and professional services - range from $2995 to $3815. The costs of containers and caskets also vary.
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3. How can I find out about funeral costs ?
Shop around. You can call or visit a number of the funeral service providers and compare prices. Remember that funeral service providers are required to give information about their pricing and provide copies of their price list to members of the public.
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4. Do I need a casket or container ?
Most crematoriums or cemeteries do require a "suitable container" to be used for cremation or burial. Further, some cemeteries require a grave liner to be used.
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5. Can I rent a casket ?
Yes, most funeral service providers make caskets available for rental during visitation or a service. However, you will likely have to purchase a container for the crematorium or cemetery.
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6. Can I buy a casket from someone other than a funeral home ?
Yes. And remember, it's a consumer decision, so check out prices before you buy a casket from any source, including a casket store or funeral home. Make sure you check out the type, quality, and value of the casket before you make your final decision.
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7. Who is responsible for making funeral arrangements ?
The executor of the estate, the next of kin, or someone agreed upon by the family may make funeral arrangements. The person making the arrangements is usually responsible for paying the funeral account.
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8. Is embalming always required ?
Generally, the answer is no. However, embalming may be required by the funeral home if there is visitation, or if there are special circumstances. In any event, the funeral director must discuss this with you and obtain specific authorization to embalm.
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9. How do I choose between cremation and burial ?
The easy answer is that this is a question of personal choice. However, consumers should investigate the benefits and costs of each of these alternatives. While cremation has experienced significant growth during the past decade, some consideration should be given to whether the family has graves available in a cemetery. Also, consider the wishes of other family members, especially if they wish to be interred together or near one another.
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10. What are some basic guidelines to remember when arranging funeral services ?
- You do not have to accept funeral services or merchandise you do not want.
- You must be informed of all charges by the funeral service provider.
- You are entitled to receive documentation about prices and charges for the funeral services and merchandise you have selected.
- Whether you are making arrangements at the time of need or before the time of need, you are entitled to select your funeral service provider and to change funeral service providers if you wish to do so.
11. Is there a difference in funeral homes ?
Yes ! The Dermody family believes that there are four fundamental differences that make P.X. Dermody Funeral Homes more responsive to your needs.
- Lower Funeral Costs.
- The personalized attention you get from dealing directly with a family owned funeral home. Funeral Services are available from three convenient locations.
- We are not owned or operated by a large corporation, as the majority of the funeral homes in Hamilton are. (The Dermody family is not associated in any way with the Markey Family Funeral Homes, Markey-Dermody Funeral Home, or Cresmount Funeral Home, all of which are owned by Service Corporation International of Houston Texas.)
12. Why choose P.X. Dermody Funeral Homes ?
We believe that the quality of our services, our commitment to lower funeral costs, and our personal attention to your needs are important reasons to choose one of our funeral homes. As a family owned funeral home, we are able to deal directly with the families we serve and offer services that meet their wishes and their budget.
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13. What is the advantage of a Pre-arranged Funeral ?
The pre-arranged funeral is part of your estate planning. It is a practical idea, which enables you to make informed decisions regarding your arrangements, sparing your family from that responsibility at the time. It gives you an opportunity to ask questions, and record your wishes about the type of service and casket you wish to have, in a relaxed environment. Many nursing homes now require that funeral arrangements be in place prior to the person entering the home. Funeral arrangements are also a practical idea for someone caring for a terminally ill person at home.
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14. How do I pre-arrange a funeral ?
Contact our office for an appointment to meet with a Funeral Director. This appointment can take place either at our Funeral Homes or at your residence. The discussion will include the types of service and merchandise desired, as well as statistical information required, and family information for a newspaper notice. The details of the costs involved, including the disbursements required will also be discussed.
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15. Can I pay for my funeral pre-arrangements ?
Yes. Although you are not required to prepay your funeral arrangement, many people choose to do so. The funeral may be pre-paid in one lump sum, or in convenient installments. The money is deposited in an interest bearing investment. The prepaid arrangement can also be cancelled at any time, subject to an administration fee prescribed by the law.
