Where do I start? Who do I call? What do I do next?
November/December 2016
A lot of misunderstanding exists in the funeral industry. As a Certified Funeral Service Professional, I have spent the last 23+ years guiding and serving the families in our community through this 
difficult time. Researching your options ahead of time, is invaluable when choosing a funeral home or funeral service provider, ask questions:What are your average costs of burial or cremation services? With whom are you making arrangements? Is the funeral service provider family owned or corporately owned? If I prepay and change my mind is my money refundable? Can I make changes to the prearrangements in the future? Are the prices of my arrangements guaranteed? If a death occurs at home who do I call? If the deceased was in another state or country, contact your preferred funeral home where you want your loved one taken. They can arrange for transportation and preparation to bring them into their care, even from far away. You can contact a local funeral home where the death occurs, but you will incur additional costs. They will coordinate the return of the deceased to your hometown.
Burial or Cremation Many people know whether they prefer a casketed burial or cremation, but have they told their families? This is so important to make known to avoid confusion at the time of death.Is embalming required by law? No. Embalming is only necessary when a public viewing is requested or other circumstances make it necessary. Most funeral service providers offer refrigeration facilities as an alternative to embalming when a viewing is not selected.Cremation Options: A cremation may follow a viewing and/or funeral service instead of a casketed burial. A cremation can take place immediately, after 12 hours following death by Maryland State Law. Some faiths do require burial of the cremated remains. Many families will choose to keep the cremated remains at home or scatter them in a place of their choosing. By Maryland State Law, permission must be granted for scattering cremated remains on public property and is not usually allowed on the Chesapeake Bay.
Cemeteries: If someone has purchased a lot at a cemetery, there are still additional requirements. One must also purchase an outer burial container if it is a below ground burial. Funeral homes also provide liners and vaults, and their prices may be less than the cemetery prices. Check both providers before you buy. The purchaser of the lot or mausoleum is required to pay an opening and closing fee. If it has not been prepaid, it must be paid prior to burial. The funeral home will help you to arrange an appointment with the cemetery, if necessary.
Prearrangements: A Gift to Your Loved Ones. The average cost of a funeral is approximately $7900, cremation with a viewing $6200, and a cremation with no other services $3235. There is a variance when dealing with different funeral homes. Again, check prices of other local funeral homes, and please consider prearrangements, before a death occurs. Many feel that it is a gift to their loved ones to have most of the decisions made.
Sherri Collins-Witzke, CFSP
Vice President/Manager
Harry H. Witzke’s Family Funeral Home, Inc.
4112 Old Columbia Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21043
PHONE: 410-465-2848 FAX: 410-465-0020
www.harrywitzkefuneralhome.com
