Navigating end of life services requires clear guidance during emotional times. Families in central Wisconsin frequently turn to local establishments like the Hansen-Schilling Funeral Home in Marshfield to handle arrangements with dignity. Understanding what to expect, from immediate next steps after a loss to selecting traditional burials or direct cremations, helps remove confusion during a stressful period.
When a death occurs, immediate logistical steps must take place before service planning begins. If a death happens at home under hospice care, the hospice nurse helps notify the proper authorities. If the death is unexpected, calling emergency services is the first step. Once authorities release the individual, contacting a licensed funeral director initiates the transfer of care. Local funeral homes coordinate transport, secure required legal permits, and schedule an arrangement conference to discuss paperwork, vital statistics for death certificates, and service preferences.
Core Service Options Available
Funeral homes offer flexible packages tailored to personal wishes, cultural traditions, and financial considerations. Selecting the right format depends heavily on whether the family prefers burial or cremation.
Traditional Burial Services
Traditional services center around a public visitation or wake, a formal funeral ceremony at a church or chapel, and a committal service at the cemetery.
- Visitation: Allows family and friends to gather, share memories, and view the deceased if embalming and casketing have been selected.
- Funeral Ceremony: Can be religious or secular, featuring eulogies, music, and readings.
- Cemetery Committal: A final brief gathering at the graveside or mausoleum before burial.
Cremation Choices
Cremation has grown significantly in popularity due to its flexibility. Families can opt for a simple direct cremation without formal services, or pair cremation with customized gatherings.
- Simple Cremation: The body is sheltered and cremated without a public viewing or formal ceremony, leaving families free to hold a private memorial later.
- Cremation with Memorial Service: Families hold a visitation or memorial service with or without the urn present, giving a structured space for collective grief.
- Traditional Service Followed by Cremation: Features a full viewing and funeral service using a rental or specialized casket, concluding with cremation rather than earth burial.
Pre-Planning End of Life Arrangements
Making arrangements in advance relieves emotional and financial burdens from surviving relatives. Pre-planning allows individuals to record their exact wishes regarding music, readings, disposition methods, and budget limits.
Guaranteed funeral trusts and pre-need insurance policies are common financial vehicles used to lock in current pricing. When someone pre-funds a service, the funds are typically placed into a state-regulated trust or insurance product, protecting the family from future inflation costs on professional fees and merchandise.
Legal and Administrative Checklist
Handling an estate and final arrangements involves gathering specific documents and notifying institutions. Families should prepare to manage several key administrative tasks:
- Gather Vital Statistics: Information needed for the death certificate includes full legal name, social security number, date of birth, occupation, parents' names, and military discharge papers (DD214) if applicable.
- Order Certified Death Certificates: Multiple copies are usually required by banks, insurance companies, government agencies, and probate courts.
- Notify Organizations: Inform employers, pension providers, the Social Security Administration, and financial institutions promptly.
- Review Insurance Policies: Check life insurance beneficiaries and coordinate with the funeral provider if assignment of insurance is used to cover costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents should I bring to the initial funeral arrangement conference?
Bring the social security number, veteran discharge papers, insurance policy details if applicable, and clothing for the deceased. Families also need to provide biographical information for the obituary, including surviving family members and career highlights.
How many death certificates should I order?
Most families need between three and ten certified copies. Government agencies, banks, and investment firms often require original certified copies rather than photocopies when transferring titles or closing accounts.
Can arrangements be made remotely if family members live out of state?
Yes. Modern communication tools allow funeral directors to coordinate arrangements, review documents via secure portals, and plan services with family members who cannot travel immediately.
What is the difference between a viewing and a memorial service?
A viewing or visitation usually features an open or closed casket, allowing visitors to pay respects directly. A memorial service honors the deceased with photos, mementos, or an urn present, but does not involve the presence of a casketed body.
