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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions About Memorial Services

What is the purpose of a Memorial Service?

What is the purpose of a Memorial Service?

Memorial Services provide surviving family members and friends a caring, supportive environment in which to recognize the death of a loved one and to share thoughts and feelings about that person. Memorial Services are the first step in the healing process. The ritual of attending a memorial service provides many benefits including:

  • Providing a social support system for the bereaved
  • Helping the bereaved understand death is final and part of life
  • Integrating the bereaved back into the community
  • Easing the transition to a new life after the death of a loved one
  • Providing a safe haven for embracing and expressing pain
  • Reaffirming one's relationship with the person who died

The importance of the ritual is in providing a social gathering to help the bereaved begin the healing process.

I've never made final arrangements before. What do I need to know?

I've never made final arrangements before. What do I need to know?

At some time in our lives, most of us will make or assist in making memorial arrangements. This will not be an easy time, but we offer these tips for smart planning:

  • Be an informed consumer and ask questions
  • Choose an independent funeral home and a licensed funeral director
  • Discuss all service and payment options during the memorial arrangements
  • Make sure you receive a copy of the funeral home's General Price List
  • Be prepared to make decisions and organize details in advance of need
  • Plan a personalized and meaningful ceremony to help you begin healing
What do funeral directors do?

What do funeral directors do?

Funeral directors are caregivers and administrators. They make the arrangements for the transportation of the deceased, complete all necessary paperwork, and implement the choices made by the family regarding the Memorial Service and final disposition of the deceased.

Funeral directors are listeners, advisors, and supporters. They have experience assisting the bereaved in coping with death. Funeral directors are trained to answer questions about grief, recognize when a person is having difficulty coping, and recommend sources of professional help. Funeral directors also link survivors with support groups at the funeral home or in the community.

What type of services can we choose from?

What type of services can we choose from?

Every family is different, and not everyone wants the same type of Memorial Service. Memorial practices are influenced by religious and cultural traditions, costs, and personal preferences. These factors help determine whether the Memorial Service will be elaborate or simple, public or private, religious or secular, and where it will be held.

Funeral Cost Questions

What does the average funeral cost?

What does the average funeral cost?

In 2009, the national average cost of an adult, full-service funeral was $6,560. This includes a professional service charge, transfer of deceased, embalming, other preparation, use of viewing facilities, use of facilities for ceremony, hearse, service car or van, and metal casket. This average increases to $7,755 if a vault is included. Cemetery and monument charges are additional. (Source: 2010 NFDA General Price List Survey.)

This is one of the reasons many families are choosing simple cremation services. Des Moines Cremation provides meaningful and respectful services at a fraction of the cost of traditional funeral services.

What to Do If Death Occurs

What should I do if a death occurs at home?

What should I do if a death occurs at home?

When death occurs, Des Moines Cremation personnel are available to assist you at any hour, seven days a week. Please call (515) 331-6538 for assistance.

Will someone come right away?

Will someone come right away?

If you request immediate assistance, yes. If your family wishes to spend a short time with the deceased to say goodbye, this is acceptable. Our staff will come when the time is right for you.

If a loved one dies out of state, can Des Moines Cremation still help?

If a loved one dies out of state, can Des Moines Cremation still help?

No, in order to keep our costs low, we are able to offer services to families that experience a death in Polk, Dallas, Warren, Story and Boone counties in Iowa.

Simple, Dignified, Affordable.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

CALL US:
(515) 331-6538

EMAIL US:
info@desmoinescremation.com

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In order to keep our costs low, we are able to offer services to families that experience a death in Polk, Dallas, Warren, Story and Boone counties.

Des Moines Cremation
Address: 6800 Lake Dr Ste 200, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Phone: (515) 331-6538
Fax: (515) 270-6385

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