When it comes to dealing with the most difficult and tragic events of our lives, like losing a loved one, there are a lot of things for the bereaved party to consider to help make that difficult time a little easier. Father and son, Mike and Kyle Newhard, of Bartholomew Funeral Home in Valparaiso are dedicated to making that painful experience as easy as is possible. The staff at Bartholomew are known around the community for their accommodating and empathetic approach and for treating everyone who comes through their doors as part of the family. This is why the Newhards have taken it upon themselves to inform the public about what steps and questions one might have to take in the event of such a tragic occurrence.
Things you should have prepare when meeting with a funeral home (all funeral homes will need this information):
- Social Security number of the deceased.
- Basic biographical information such as parents’ names (mother’s maiden name), place of birth, date of birth, job description, and names of family members.
- Records of military service if applicable.
- Any applicable life insurance information.
- Clothing.
- Cemetery or burial plot information.
- Minister Choice.
Things you might want to ask the funeral director (regardless of what funeral home you are dealing with):
- What are all my options? With recent rises in cremation, many people assume that with a cremation, that is all they get. What they don’t realize, is that they can still have memorial services, visitations, and burials with a cremation. It’s important for people to realize that they have many different avenues to reach whatever the final disposition goal is.
- What kind of payment options does the funeral home have? Most funeral homes accept multiple forms of payment, including cash, check, or major credit cards.
- How much do I need to pay right now? Some funeral homes require everything to be paid for up front, some just require a down payment. Rarely, some funeral homes will allow payment plans with nothing down. It all depends on the funeral home and situation.
- Depending on religious beliefs of the deceased, what considerations are there for final disposition.
- What kind of customization options do I have for funeral services and merchandise?
- Where can our services take place? Visitations or funeral services can be in the funeral home, at a religious building, or you could have a funeral service at the graveside.
These basic considerations should be taken into account when an individual is preparing to meet with any funeral home and will help to make this difficult time a little easier.
For more information about Bartholomew Funeral Home and the services they provide, Click Here