Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings, South Dakota, has anchored eastern South Dakota's end-of-life care for over a century. Located at 1617 Orchard Drive, this establishment provides traditional burials, cremation options, pre-planning arrangements, and grief support for families navigating a loss. For residents seeking dependable mortuary services in Brookings County, understanding their offerings, facility capabilities, and local history helps streamline difficult decisions.
When a family faces the sudden passing of a loved one or plans ahead, knowing specific operational details matters. Eidsness operates locally with a dedicated licensed staff, handling everything from local transportation and embalming to customized memorial ceremonies, veteran honors, and coordination with area cemeteries like Greenwood Cemetery.
History and Community Roots in Brookings
The legacy of Eidsness Funeral Home dates back to the early decades of the 20th century. Founded by Lars Eidsness, who immigrated from Norway, the practice began with a commitment to serving immigrant and local pioneer families with dignity, respect, and traditional values. Over successive generations, family and local management maintained this independent ethos while adapting to shifting industry standards.
Unlike corporate-owned conglomerate mortuaries, independent local funeral homes often maintain deeper ties to regional churches, civic groups, and local suppliers. Eidsness integrated itself into the fabric of Brookings—home to South Dakota State University—by accommodating diverse religious traditions, secular celebrations of life, and community memorial events. This long-standing presence means the staff is intimately familiar with local clergy, florists, musicians, and cemetery caretakers, which reduces logistical friction during stressful times.
Comprehensive Services Provided
Navigating funeral arrangements requires clear choices among various service types. Eidsness structures its offerings to accommodate traditional preferences as well as modern, personalized celebrations.
Traditional Burial Services
Traditional services typically involve a public visitation or wake, a formal funeral ceremony held either at the funeral home chapel or a local church, and a procession to the graveside for burial. Eidsness manages the complete operational workflow:
- Professional care, sanitation, and casketing of the deceased.
- Coordination of clergy or celebrant schedules.
- Provision of funeral coach vehicles and lead cars.
- Management of flower arrangements, guest registries, and printed memorial folders.
Cremation Options
Cremation has grown significantly across South Dakota. Families can choose from direct cremation without services, a traditional visitation followed by cremation, or a memorial service held weeks after the cremation takes place. Eidsness provides secure handling procedures and offers a wide catalog of urns, keepsakes, and scattering options. Families can also explore biodegradable urns for eco-conscious memorialization.
Pre-Planning Arrangements
Pre-arranging a funeral relieves surviving family members of both emotional guesswork and financial burden. Pre-planning allows individuals to specify their exact wishes—from music and readings to casket choices and disposition methods. Eidsness offers guaranteed funeral trusts and insurance-backed pre-need plans governed by South Dakota state consumer protection regulations.
Facility Layout and Modern Amenities
The physical facility on Orchard Drive in Brookings is designed to provide privacy, comfort, and accessibility for grieving families. Key architectural and technological features include:
- Spacious Chapel: Capable of seating large gatherings for traditional religious or secular memorial services.
- Private Arrangement Rooms: Quiet spaces where families can sit down with funeral directors to review merchandise, sign paperwork, and plan service details without interruption.
- Visitation Parlors: Comfortable rooms configured for wakes and calling hours, equipped with modern media displays for photo tribute slideshows.
- Accessible Design: Single-level entryways, wide hallways, and ADA-compliant restrooms to accommodate elderly guests and attendees with mobility needs.
In addition to physical spaces, Eidsness integrates digital tools. Families can publish online obituaries directly through regional networks, allowing distant relatives to post condolences, share photos, and contribute to memorial funds or charities.
Step-by-Step Guide: What to Do When a Death Occurs
When a death happens unexpectedly, families often feel overwhelmed. Knowing the immediate sequential steps helps establish control during a chaotic window.
- Notify Authorities or Medical Personnel: If the death occurs at home under hospice care, contact the hospice nurse first. If it occurs unexpectedly at home without hospice, call 911 immediately. If the death happens in a hospital or nursing facility, the medical staff handles initial notifications.
- Select a Funeral Home: Contact Eidsness Funeral Home at Eidsness Funeral Home to notify them of the passing. Even in the middle of the night, a licensed director is available to coordinate the transfer of the deceased into their care.
- Gather Vital Statistics Information: During the initial arrangement conference, the funeral director will need specific details to complete the death certificate. Prepare information including the full legal name, social security number, date and place of birth, parents' names (including mother's maiden name), and military discharge papers (DD214) if applicable.
- Determine Disposition and Service Preferences: Decide whether the family wants burial or cremation, and choose a tentative date for the service or visitation.
- Meet with the Funeral Director: Finalize the casket, vault, floral selections, and obituary text. The funeral director will file the official death certificate with the South Dakota Department of Health and order certified copies needed for estate settlement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do services at Eidsness Funeral Home cost?
Funeral costs vary depending on whether the family selects traditional burial or cremation, as well as the choice of merchandise such as caskets or urns. Under the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Funeral Rule, Eidsness provides a General Price List (GPL) detailing itemized costs for professional services, transportation, and facilities usage upon request.
Can Eidsness arrange veterans' honors and burials?
Yes. The staff regularly coordinates with local American Legion and VFW posts, as well as the military casualty assistance branches, to secure military honors, folding and presentation of the American flag, and placement in national or state veterans cemeteries.
What are the options for a memorial service without a traditional viewing?
Families can opt for a direct cremation followed by a delayed memorial service at a church, park, or the funeral home chapel. The urn can be present during the service, surrounded by photographs and personal memorabilia.
Can out-of-town family members view services remotely?
Many modern mortuaries facilitate digital streaming or video recording of services. Inquire directly with the Eidsness staff regarding current audio-visual capabilities for live broadcasting private or public services to distant relatives.
