We’ve provided a list of answers to questions we frequently receive regarding our services and other activities related to funerals. If you don't see the answer to your question here, feel free to contact us at (773) 767.2166 in Chicago or (708) 839.8999 in Willow Springs or email us. We'd be happy to give you more information and clarify any of your concerns.
Funeral and Burial Questions
What is the purpose of a funeral service?
What is the purpose of a funeral service?
It is the customary way to recognize death and its finality. Funerals are recognized rituals for the living to show respect for the deceased and to help survivors begin the grief process. Visit Funeral Services page for more information.
What is the role of a funeral director?
What is the role of a funeral director?
Funeral directors are caregivers, administrators and event planners. They make the arrangements for transportation of the body, complete all necessary paperwork and implement the choices made by the family regarding the funeral and the final disposition of the body. Funeral directors are listeners, advisors and supporters. They have experience assisting the bereaved in coping with death. Funeral directors are also trained to answer some questions about grief, recognize when a person is having a difficult time coping and recommend sources of professional help within the community.
Why have a public viewing?
Why have a public viewing?
Viewing is a part of many cultural and ethnic traditions. Many grief specialists believe that viewing aids the grief process by helping the bereaved recognize the reality and finality of death.
Is burial space becoming scarce?
Is burial space becoming scarce?
While it's true some metropolitan areas have limited available cemetery space, in most areas of the country there is enough space set aside for the next fifty years without creating new cemeteries. In addition, land available for new cemeteries is more than adequate, especially with the increase in entombment and multi-level grave burials.
Embalming Questions
What is the purpose of embalming?
What is the purpose of embalming?
Embalming sanitizes and preserves the body, slows down the decomposition process, and enhances the appearance of a body, especially if there has been some severe trauma or a pro-longed illness. Primarily, embalming makes it possible to lengthen the time between death and the final disposition, thus allowing family members time to arrange and participate in the type of service most comforting to them.
Does a deceased body have to be embalmed?
Does a deceased body have to be embalmed?
No. Most states, however, require embalming when death was caused by a reportable contagious disease or when remains are to be transported from one state to another or outside the country, via a common carrier (airlines) or if final disposition is not to be made within a prescribed number of hours. Embalming is most often selected when a family decides to have an open-casket viewing for the public.
Cremation Questions
Is cremation a substitute for a funeral?
Is cremation a substitute for a funeral?
No, cremation is an alternative to earth burial or entombment for the body's disposition and often follows a traditional funeral service.
So, I've decided on cremation, can I still have a funeral or a viewing?
So, I've decided on cremation, can I still have a funeral or a viewing?
Yes, quite often some sort of viewing precedes the actual cremation. Zarzycki Manor Chapels, Ltd. can assist you with the necessary information for a funeral with a cremation following or a memorial service. Visit our Cremation Services page for information.
Funeral Cost Questions
What are the factors involved in determining the cost of a funeral?
What are the factors involved in determining the cost of a funeral?
A funeral home is a 24-hour, labor-intensive business, with extensive facilities (viewing rooms, offices, limousines, hearses, etc.), these expenses must be factored into the cost of a funeral. Moreover, the cost of a funeral includes not only merchandise, like caskets, but the services of a funeral director in making arrangements; filing appropriate forms; coordinating with doctors, ministers, florists, newspapers and others; and seeing to all the necessary details.
Can a funeral be preplanned and prepaid?
Can a funeral be preplanned and prepaid?
Yes. People are increasingly purchasing their funerals ahead of time because of the obvious advantage of paying for them at today’s prices. Prearrangements can be paid in a lump sum, as well as in payment plans. Visit our Why Plan Ahead page for more information and also to access our Online Preplanning Form.
What To Do If Death Occurs?
What should I do if the death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend?
What should I do if the death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend?
Our Funeral Directors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please visit our In the Event of a Death page for a detailed explanation of the steps need to be taken.
Will someone come right away?
Will someone come right away?
Will someone come right away?
If you request immediate assistance, yes. However, depending on where the death occurred, such as a hospital, we may not be able to come until the proper hospital authorities approve a release. Visit our In the Event of a Death page for more information. If the family wishes to spend a short time with deceased to say good-bye, it's acceptable. The funeral home will come when your time is right.