Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ's

We Answer Your Questions

Why should I plan a funeral for my loved one?

Funerals or memorials are a traditional way of acknowledging death and its finality. Such ceremonies are meant for the living to demonstrate respect for the deceased and to help bereaved individuals start the grieving process. They also offer mourners an opportunity to share stories, create memories, follow religious beliefs and customs, find solace in a support system, and come together peacefully during a time of confusion and uncertainty.

What tasks are involved in arranging a funeral?

Planning a funeral can be a challenging and emotional time, which is why we're here to support you every step of the way. Our compassionate funeral director, Marie Goolsby, and team members will be there for you. We understand that planning final arrangements can be a difficult and emotional task for families. That's why our team is here to help and support you through the process. We have the expertise to assist with up to 200 tasks during a scheduled but intimate arrangement conference. We commit to making this experience as stress-free as possible for you and your loved ones. Please take a moment to review a few examples of the services we offer. Download the Checklist 

What do funeral directors do?

At times of loss, funeral directors are compassionate and understanding, offering support and guidance in difficult times. As caregivers, advisors, and administrators, they take care of all the arrangements for the transportation of the body, complete all necessary paperwork, and work closely with the family to ensure that the funeral and final disposition of the body are carried out by the wishes of the deceased and their loved ones. With their wealth of experience, they can offer a listening ear to the bereaved and provide valuable advice on coping with grief. If further help is needed, they can also recommend sources of support from qualified professionals who can provide additional assistance. 

Our funeral director, Marie Goolsby, is a highly experienced professional who naturally serves as a caregiver, advisor, and administrator. She possesses the skills, experience, and compassion necessary to carry out responsibilities such as making arrangements for the transportation of the deceased's body, completing all the required paperwork, and fulfilling the family's wishes regarding the funeral and final disposition of the body. She has obtained the necessary experience to assist the bereaved in coping with death, answer any questions related to grief, and recommend resourceful professionals to assist with adjusting to life after death.

Who should be included in the gathering or ceremony?

It's important to acknowledge that everyone who has had an impact on the life of someone who has passed away, regardless of how they were related or how long they knew each other, including family, friends, co-workers, fellow worshippers, neighbors, acquaintances, and sometimes even the wider community, plays a part in their life story. Coming together as a group can provide great comfort and support during the grieving process.

What are the expenses that come with organizing a funeral?

The funeral cost includes all the services of a funeral director (see task list above), merchandise, such as caskets and urns, and transportation. Other fees may apply. In general, funeral homes make only a modest profit.

Are any financial aid programs available to help those who can afford basic funeral essentials?

There are several options available to pay for funerals besides relying solely on family members. Veteran, union, and other organizational benefits can help cover the cost, and in certain situations, Social Security may provide a lump sum death payment. In most states, public aid allowances are available from the state, county, city, or a combination of these. Funeral directors are knowledgeable about these various benefits and can assist in obtaining them.

Services offered by Goolsby Mortuary

Goolsby Mortuary Proud Member of Veterans & Family Memorial Care (Click Here)

LifeGem Created Diamonds: A diamond created from the carbon of your loved one as a memorial to their unique and wonderful life. www.LIFEGEM.com

We offer The Horse and Carriage

Forms of Final Disposition of the Body

When it comes to funeral planning, it's important to understand the difference
between guaranteed price and non-guaranteed price. A guaranteed price means that the funeral home has agreed to provide the services and merchandise at a set price, regardless of any future price increases. This can provide peace of mind for the family, as they won't have to worry about unexpected costs. 

On the other hand, a non-guaranteed price means that the funeral home has
provided an estimate of the costs, but the final price may be subject to change based on factors such as inflation or changes to the services requested. This can make it more difficult to budget for the funeral and may lead to additional costs for the
family.

It's important to discuss pricing options with the funeral home and to carefully review any contracts or agreements before making a decision. By understanding the difference between guaranteed and non-guaranteed pricing, families can make
informed choices about funeral planning that meet their needs and budget.
  • Cremation By Water Instead of Fire
  • Burial: The act of placing the remains of a deceased person in a crypt in a mausoleum. Sometimes this act may be called “an above-ground burial”.
  • Shipping: Transferring a deceased to another funeral home, usually out of state. Includes removal of remains, necessary staff services, embalming, authorization, and local transportation to transportation connector (Airline, Train or Bus, etc.) This service does not include visitation, rites, or ceremonies before forwarding the remains. Airfare, Train or Bus fare, etc., is posted as a separate charge.

Alternatives to traditional services:

When it comes to funeral planning, it's important to understand the difference between guaranteed price and non-guaranteed price. A guaranteed price means that the funeral home has agreed to provide the services and merchandise at a set price, regardless of any future price increases. This can provide peace of mind for the family, as they won't have to worry about unexpected costs.

On the other hand, a non-guaranteed price means that the funeral home has provided an estimate of the costs, but the final price may be subject to change based on factors such as inflation or changes to the services requested. This can make it more difficult to budget for the funeral and may lead to additional costs for the family.

It's important to discuss pricing options with the funeral home and to carefully review any contracts or agreements before making a decision. By understanding the difference between guaranteed and non-guaranteed pricing, families can make informed choices about funeral planning that meet their needs and budget.

Funding Options:

If you're looking for ways to provide for the cost of a funeral without prepaying, there are a few options available to you. One way is to earmark existing assets, such as a savings account or life insurance policy, specifically for funeral costs. It's important to ensure that these assets are not subject to probate, which can take a year or more to complete and could cause delays in payment to the funeral home.

Another option to avoid the probate process is to open a savings account or certificate of deposit equal to the cost of the funeral and designate it as "payable on death" to the funeral home. Alternatively, you can open a joint account with a family member who has the right of survivorship, which means that the funds will pass to the joint owner outside of probate. In this case, the survivors should then pay for the funeral.

If you prefer an insurance-funded option, you can sign a prearrangement agreement and purchase life insurance equal to the value of the funeral, with the funeral home as the beneficiary or the benefits assigned to them. Another option is the state-regulated trust, where a prearrangement agreement is signed first, and the funeral director accepts payment equal to the cost of the funeral and places a portion or all of the money in a trust account. The funeral home is the beneficiary of the trust account and receives funds after the funeral. The goal of a state-regulated trust is to ensure that the pre-payment is protected until needed. State laws specify the amount trusted, which refers to the percentage of money that the funeral director must place in a trust.

Understanding guaranteed price and non-guaranteed price:

It's important to understand the difference between a guaranteed price plan and a non-guaranteed plan when it comes to prepaying for a funeral. With a guaranteed price plan, the cost of the funeral you have prepaid for will remain the same, no matter how much inflation may increase in the future. This means that you won't have to pay any additional costs for the services and merchandise included in the plan. On the other hand, a non-guaranteed plan means that the cost of the funeral may increase in the future due to inflation, and you may have to pay the difference if the selected plan doesn't keep pace with inflation. It's always a good idea to discuss your options with a funeral director to determine which plan best suits your needs and budget.
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