When Death Occurs
If you are not sure of who to notify or what to do, you should call Smith Funeral Home Moulton at 1-361-596-4631 any time and we will assist you in notifying the proper agencies and planning your loved one's memorial service.We will be by your side throughout the entire process and far beyond.
There are several questions that you may have in regards to the death of your loved one, such as, "do I have to have embalming?", "do I need to purchase a casket?", "what about cemetery arrangements?", "does the family have a minister?", "do we want cremation, visitation, ...?" Our experienced funeral directors will be able to help answer all your questions.
There are a variety of questions that you will be asked to answer as well. The answers to these questions will be used to complete all of the required documents, forms and permits. Information about the deceased, such as full legal name, date of birth, place of birth, social security number, usual occupation, legal address, years of education, father's name, and mother's maiden name will be needed.
At this time information for the obituary is usually obtained. Items such as date and place of marriage, how long the person had lived in the area, educational degrees, their employment history, member of any clubs or organizations, hobbies and survivors are needed on an obituary.
The funeral director will discuss your preferences for the funeral time and location and who you would like to have officiate at the service, musical selections, organist, vocalist, pallbearers and the cemetery you will be using for interment.
One of the best ways to make sure that all of your questions and desires are taken care of is to make pre-arrangements. This is as simple as outlining your wishes to having all of the details written down and the financial arrangements prepaid. Please contact one of our staff to learn more or visit our page Pre-Planning.
How is Smith Funeral Home Moulton different?
At Smith Funeral Home Moulton we offer unrivaled continuity of care, from advance planning, to at-need arrangements, to bereavement counseling. We attempt to provide all options to assure the most personalized service possible.
We're most concerned with how we provide those services. Our counselors are trained and expected to do what is in the best interest of the family being served, never to follow "must" guidelines or selling strategies. Where do I go to start making my advance funeral plans? Basically, wherever you feel most comfortable.
You can make an appointment to meet with a Smith Funeral Home Moulton funeral director in the privacy and comfort of your own home, or at our Moulton location.
A death forces you to deal with a world of details you may know little about and at a time when you are most vulnerable. Since you must depend in large part on guidance from a funeral home, it's important that you have confidence that these advisors are open, honest, and have your best interests at heart when helping you plan a funeral.
If you desire a religious service, your funeral director can make arrangements for you with a local clergyman from a denomination with which your family has had some past association.
Or if a more intimate or informal approach is preferred, a family member might offer a few simple words. A good friend could read some poetry.
You could even plan a music-only service with no speaker. Any of these can be appropriate, as long as the form of service you select will be meaningful to your family.
Viewing is an important time because it reinforces the reality of death. It may not be easy to do, but that is okay. Viewing allows family and friends to see that their loved one is at rest and free from pain and discomfort. It gives us a peaceful memory to cherish.
Sending flowers to a funeral service is a way of showing that you care, and are thinking about a family in their time of loss. Flowers add beauty to the service and soften the memory of the event in the family's mind. Traditionally, they symbolize the cycle of all life and help us understand that death is a normal part of our existence on earth. So even though many may request memorial contributions to a charity instead, flowers are still valid, appropriate and thoughtful ways to express your sympathies.
Embalming is important for maintaining the health and safety of the public and the funeral home staff. This procedure ensures the preservation of the body from the time of death until disposition and it allows us to create an acceptable physical appearance of the deceased for the visitation time. Certain regulations also exists that make embalming necessary if the body is to be conveyed by public transportation.
We of course welcome any suggestions, questions, or requests that you may have.
Please feel free to contact us directly at 1-361-596-4631 or use our convenient online request form for additional information.
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