GENERAL QUESTIONS

1. I have relocated to Lancaster, however my home is in another state and I want to have my final disposition take place in my home state. Do I need to make funeral arrangements here?
   1. Yes, this is a good idea because there is paperwork, such as filing for death certificates, which must be done in the state where the death occurs. If you wish to have funeral services conducted here, then you should make arrangements here. We can arrange for the body to be shipped to your hometown for additional funeral services and final disposition.

2. How much does a funeral cost?
   1. One of our licensed funeral directors would be pleased to discuss with you the options available and the costs involved with the particular services that you select. Since options and prices vary, we feel that you will be better served by discussing your unique needs with one of our licensed professionals. We invite you to make an appointment to discuss your funeral service needs - there is never any pressure or obligation.

3. What should I do if a death occurs out of town?
   1. Contact us here at the Gundel Funeral Home, Inc. first. We are part of a professional network of funeral homes, so no matter where the death occurs, we are able to make arrangements for the transportation of the body and take care of all the necessary details.

4. I have never been to a viewing or funeral before, what should I do?
   1. By arranging to have a time for visitation, the family has invited you to share this time with them. Be yourself and feel free to share stories or memories of the deceased with the family or just a few kind words.

FUNERAL SERVICE AND BURIAL QUESTIONS

5. Is embalming of the body required by law?
   1. Except in special cases, embalming is not required by law. Embalming may be necessary or preferable if you select certain funeral arrangements, such as a funeral with a public viewing.

6. Am I required to buy a burial vault (outer burial container)?
   1. You are not required by law to purchase a burial vault. However, some cemeteries do require that you purchase a vault in order to be buried there. These cemeteries have established this requirement because vaults help to maintain the integrity of the grave by preventing the ground from settling. We can assist you in determining whether or not the cemetery that you have selected requires a burial vault.

7. What happens at the cemetery?
   1. The casket is placed above the grave by the pallbearers. Family and friends gather at the gravesite for the graveside service.

8. Does the family need to provide pallbearers?
   1. We are able to provide pallbearers from the funeral home, however, most families prefer to use relatives and friends to participate in the service.

9. Should I attend the services?
   1. Unless there is a notation in the obituary that "services will be held at the convenience of the family" or that there are "private services," family and friends are welcome to attend the services. If the time and location of the services is included in the funeral invitation, it is considered an invitation for the public to attend.

10. Should I send flowers or make a donation?
    1. Unless otherwise requested, it is appropriate to send flowers to the funeral home. Some families and individuals prefer that donations in memory of the deceased be made to a charity or charities designated by the deceased or their family. Information about the family's preference for flowers or donations will be listed in the funeral invitation in the newspaper, or for families that we are serving, under our Obituaries link. You may also choose to send flowers to the family at home. This can be done either before the funeral service or in the days and weeks following the service.

11. Can you arrange for military honors to be accorded to the deceased?
    1. Yes. If the deceased is a veteran, we can make arrangements for the attendance of a military honor guard at the funeral services. We can also assist the family with making arrangements for veterans' grave markers, burial in veterans' cemeteries and other veterans' benefits for which the deceased is qualified.

CREMATION QUESTIONS

12. Can I still have a viewing or service if I choose cremation?
    1. Yes. Choosing cremation in no way limits your choices with respect to services prior to the cremation. The only difference between a funeral followed by burial and one followed by cremation is that the body is taken to the crematorium after the service instead of a cemetery.

13. Must I purchase a casket if I have a viewing prior to cremation?
    1. No, it is not necessary to purchase a casket if you choose to have a public viewing prior to cremation. We have an attractive hardwood rental casket with an enclosed cremation unit available for use during the viewing and funeral service. Following the service, the body remains in the cremation unit, which is then removed from the rental casket and transported to the crematory. The interior of the rental casket is then replaced with another cremation unit for future use.

14. Do I need to purchase an urn or urn vault with cremation?
    1. No. However, if you prefer to have the cremated remains stored in a container, you can choose an urn from the wide selection that we have available at the funeral home, or you can provide us with a suitable container in which we will place the cremated remains.

15. What can be done with the cremated remains?
    1. The cremated remains can be buried in a cemetery or scattered in a scattering garden that is a specially designated area of the cemetery. The cremated remains can also be placed in a niche in a mausoleum. You may choose to scatter or bury the cremated remains on your own property or on another person's property provided that you have obtained his or her permission first.

16. Can I scatter the cremated remains in a stream or in a park?
    1. It is not legal to distribute cremated remains on private property without the permission of the owner. In order to scatter cremated remains on public property, you will need to contact the local municipal government to determine if it is legal to do so.

FUNERAL PRE-PLANNING QUESTIONS

17. Why should I consider pre-planning a funeral?
    1. Making pre-arrangements can help to ease the emotional stress of dealing with the loss of a loved one. Pre-arranging a funeral also allows you to make decisions about the type of service that you want. Knowing that a funeral reflects the wishes of a loved one can be a source of comfort for families and friends.

18. Why should I consider funding pre-arrangements?
    1. Funding pre-arrangements allows you to pay for a future funeral at today's prices. This eliminates a financial burden for family and relieves them of thinking about finances at an emotionally difficult time.

19. What should I do if I receive a phone call from someone who wants to sell me a casket, vault or some sort of other merchandise?
    1. Be cautious about any unsolicited phone calls that you may receive from third parties who want to sell you something. You should never feel pressured to make a quick decision. If you have questions about merchandise or services, please take the time to call us. The cost of merchandise from third party sellers may be substantially higher than the cost of similar merchandise that can be purchased from an independent funeral home. We do not use pressure tactics and we do not make unsolicited phone calls. Please note that in Pennsylvania only licensed funeral directors can sell funeral services. Laws in other states may vary.