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Funeral Home

Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Funeral Home

October 3, 2022 • Teri Vila-Caballero

Looking for a funeral home is never an easy experience, but you can help reduce some anxiety by finding out if the funeral home you are considering has certain qualities. When people are grieving, understandably, they will focus on other things and not necessarily pick up on the qualities that set funeral homes Miami Beach, FL apart.

However, if you know what to look for, you can increase your chance of choosing a reputable mortuary. Here are a few qualities we recommend searching for in any potential funeral home:

Price/Affordability

When it comes to funeral homes, price is usually the first thing on your mind. The price of a funeral home will vary greatly depending on several factors: the size of the home, the amenities that come with it, and what casket you choose to use. If you’re looking for an affordable funeral home, make sure to look out for any extra fees that are added. One crucial way they can do this is by using what’s called “the bait and switch.”

The bait and switch are when the funeral director gives you an extremely low initial price–maybe even $700 below the average cost–and then once he knows he has your business, he’ll add on an assortment of fees and markups for various things.

Types of Funeral Services Offered

If you’re looking for a funeral home that has the specific types of funeral services you’re interested in, there are many types of funeral services to choose from. The type of funeral service you choose may be determined by your budget and the service you want to pay tribute to the deceased, but no matter what kind of funeral service you need, there’s a funeral home that will match your needs and preferences. The most common types of funeral services offered by funeral homes include the following:

Traditional Funeral Services

These are the most common. With traditional funeral services, your loved one’s body is prepared for viewing and interred for final rest at a cemetery, mausoleum, or columbarium.

Direct Cremation

This is the least expensive funeral service and involves cremating the body directly without any visitation or ceremony. The family can later choose to hold a memorial service or other ceremonies that reflect their loved one’s life.

Cremation with Burial Service

Sometimes families want to bury their loved one’s remains, but they don’t want to deal with the costs or responsibilities of purchasing a burial plot. In this case, the cremated remains are placed in an urn and buried in an existing grave site at a cemetery.

Memorial Service Only

In this case, there is no actual burial of the body. Instead, friends and family gather for a memorial service where they share stories about the deceased person’s life and pay tribute.

Location & Availability

It’s crucial to understand the location and availability of funeral homes in your area. Funeral homes are classified into three types: independent, chain, and franchise.

Convenience is a major factor when choosing a funeral home. If you are unsure where to start, ask friends and family members if they know of any trustworthy services. Also, ask if they can recommend any specific facilities that are close by or easily reachable.

An ideal way to narrow down your search is to use the internet. Look at funeral home websites or social media pages for information regarding location and availability. Online reviews may also help find a suitable company.

If you have made a list of possible locations that you think might suit your needs, try visiting them during normal business hours so you can get an idea of how easy it will be to access the facilities when you need them most.

Facilities/Equipment

Somewhere in the middle of taking care of a loved one’s funeral, you’ll likely find yourself in the funeral home picking out things like caskets, urns, and flowers. But make sure you don’t forget to look at the facilities and equipment that you’re paying for too!funeral services in Miami Beach, FL

Some of the facilities include:- Chapel, where the service will be held- Reception room, where visitors gather after the service- Mortuary lab, where embalming is done- Offices, where staff performs administrative duties- Garage or parking lot, which funeral vehicles can access.

The equipment found in funeral homes includes:- Caskets or burial vaults, which are used to hold the body or cremated remains- Gravestones and markers, which mark the final resting place of remains- Shrouds, which are a protective covering for the body during services- Prayer cards and memorial folders, which can be given to visitors as keepsakes. These may also contain information about memorial services.

All in all, when it comes down to it, the right funeral homes Miami Beach FL will provide you with the finest services and accommodations. You will never regret choosing them once you begin to see the results of their encompassing experience.

Teri Vila-Caballero

Teri Vila-Caballero

Teri Vila-Caballero is the Pre Need Director at Ferdinand Funeral Homes & Crematory. She joined the team in 2012 to fulfill her calling to serve our community.

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