Frequently Asked Questions

A funeral is a ceremony prior to burial or cremation with the body present. A memorial service is similar with the exception that the body may have already been cremated or not present at all. In either case, a funeral or memorial service gives the opportunity for family and friends of the deceased to gather in support of one another and mourn the passing of their loved one. It is an opportunity to share cherished memories and to celebrate their love and their life. Such gatherings are vital in helping the bereaved heal after the loss of someone special.

The funeral director's job is to assist the bereaved in various ways through the loss of a loved one. A funeral director provides bereavement and consolation services for the living, in addition to making arrangements for the cremation, burial, and memorial services for the deceased. They fulfill the role of funeral arranger, funeral director, funeral attendant, and embalmer.

The following list is not all-inclusive, but describes some of the major tasks of a funeral director: 

• Removal and transfer of the deceased from the place of death to the funeral home
• Professional care of the deceased, including embalming, casketing, and cosmetology
• Consulting with family to make arrangements for the funeral service
• Filing certificates, permits, and other required forms
• Obtaining copies of the death certificate
• Finalizing arrangements with the cemetery, crematory, or other places of final disposition
• Creating and publishing the obituary
• Making arrangements for clergy, music, flowers, transportation, pallbearers, and special fraternal or military services
• Directing and managing the funeral service and the funeral procession
• Assisting the family with death-related claims, including Social Security, VA insurance, and grief counseling

​Regardless of when a death occurs, funeral directors are always available to assist.

Call Spence Funeral Services first. We will arrange to care for the deceased and have them returned home from anywhere in the world.

Embalming preserves, sanitizes and restores the body of the deceased in order to give opportunity to family and friends to gather and to begin the healing process.

No. Embalming is generally a choice, one that depends on factors such as family preference, whether there is to be an open casket viewing of the body, or if there will be an extended time between death and interment. Public health laws may require embalming if the body is going to be transported by air or rail.

The cost of the funeral depends on the services and merchandise selected. The cost of a funeral can be accurately estimated after sitting with a funeral director and discussing your options and wishes.