Table of Contents

1. What exactly is embalming and how long does it last?
2. Is embalming required by law ?
3. Is a casket required for cremation or for burial?
4. What makes one casket better than the another?
5. What is the purpose of a burial vault?
6. What is the first thing to do when a loved one dies out of town?

What exactly is embaling and how long does it last?

Embalming is a process of injecting preservative fluid through the arterial system to achieve temporary preservation of the body, usually for the purpose of having a visitation and/or funeral service. The duration of this preservation is difficult to predict since it is affected by many factors such as the cause of death, weight of the person, drug and other therapies they may have had, and burial conditions.This is the answer to the question.

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Is embalming required by law?

No, embalming is required by law only in rare circumstances. But most funeral homes do not allow public viewing without embalming. In many instances we are able to offer families the opportunity for a private viewing prior to burial with minimal preparation not involving embalming.

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Is a casket required for cremation or for burial?

No, a casket is not required by law for cremation. The law requires a minimal alternative container (usually cardboard) for the transportation of the remains to the crematory. Families always have the option to use a casket if they so desire and there are many reasonably priced caskets made specifically for cremation. Many families choose to have a visitation and/or service prior to cremation and would like to select a suitable casket.

Is a casket required for burial?

The law does not require a casket for burial. In cases where direct burial is chosen, families may use an alternative container that is the least expensive alternative. View our price list to see that we also have many reasonably priced caskets.

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What makes one casket better than another?

All caskets serve the purpose of containing the remains for burial or cremation purposes. Whether one is ‘better’ than another is a highly personal and subjective decision. Casket prices, however, vary depending on the outer materials used. The major difference is either metal or wood. Within each of these categories there are a variety of price points. With wood there are simple fiberboard caskets, pines, hardwood veneers, solid hardwoods of increasing beauty such as oak, pecan, cherry and mahogany. Within the metal caskets there are lightweight steel, medium weight steel, stainless steel, solid copper, and solid bronze. As the basic materials increase in cost, the casket finishes, hardware, and interior fabrics typically increase in quality and cost as well.

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What is the purpose of a burial vault ?

Outer burial containers, also commonly known as burial vaults, are typically required by all cemeteries in the Chicago area to shore up the earth above the casket. The weight of cemetery equipment such as trucks and backhoes would crush the casket if an outer container were not used. Many outer containers have special seals and linings which prevent water and other substances from entering the vault.

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What is the first thing to do when a loved one dies out of town?

If a person dies out of town and is to be returned to the home location, it usually is best to contact the hometown funeral provider first. Usually the hometown director can handle all arrangements in the out-of- town location and typically it is far less expensive to make arrangements this way rather than for the family to contact an out-of-town funeral home directly.

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