INDUSTRY INSIGHT
FUNERAL HOME
SPONSORED CONTENT
A Funeral Do-Over? YES!
Y
our husband, father or grandfather always told you, “I don’t
want any fuss when I die.” And no “fuss” was made. Now you are
feeling as if you never had a chance to say goodbye.
An unsatisfying funeral can have lasting negative emotions for
family and friends. The funeral could have been too expensive and
too elaborate. There may have been no funeral, service or memorial.
There may have been few memorialization options because someone
at the funeral home said, “This is how we do things here.” A pastor at
the service deviated from a written program. You may not have been
told that you could have had a Veteran’s Honor Guard for your Dad
who served in Korea. You may have not been offered a chance for a
visitation and services when Mom wanted a cremation.
Can you do a funeral do-over?
Yes, you can. Obviously, the body may not be present due to a
previous burial or cremation. However, why not honor a wish that “Pap
always wanted a party when he died.” Have the party he wanted. The
timing may be delayed a bit, however, do it.
We had a service for a woman’s grandmother who died in another
state. Originally, there was no funeral, service or memorial. Grandma
was cremated and buried. Her granddaughter never got to say
goodbye in any sort of way. Having the “do-over” service was her way
of dealing with her situation. More people than the granddaughter
expected showed up. I was later told that her experience was cathartic.
We have helped family members have an honor guard for a
deserving veteran long after a burial. While the active duty members
of a branch of service will not attend, we secured a veteran’s honor
guard to fire volleys, play taps, fold a flag and present the flag to the
next-of-kin at the cemetery. The family was so appreciative. The wife
said to me, “He earned that right and deserved an honorable military
funeral.”
We were helping a family with a Veteran’s Service, I explained
the criteria for burial in a national cemetery. Another woman at the
arrangement conference asked how long after a veteran’s death can a
burial for that cremated veteran take place in the national cemetery.
There is no time limit for unburied remains of a veteran to be properly
buried at the national cemetery. I asked if she had her deceased
husband’s discharge papers (DD214). She furnished me with a copy
and we were able apply for a proper burial. We ended up with a double
service for both deceased Veterans. That dual burial situation was a
first for the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies and for us.
Giving people their options for a meaningful funeral is what we do.
We can assist long after a death has occurred. Simply ask us what we
can do to help your situation.
A do-over might be what is needed.
We can make it happen.
This Industry Insight was written by Frank Perman,
FD, Supervisor, CFSP, CPC, CCO, CFC. He is the owner
of Perman Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc.,
923 Saxonburg Boulevard at Rt. 8 in Shaler Township.
Mr. Perman believes an educated consumer makes the
most personal, affordable and memorable decisions.
Inquiries may be made to him at 412.486.3600 or
emailed to [email protected].
Comfort In Knowing Your Wishes Will Be
Handled With Care
Plan does not cover medical tourism.
A one-time fee of $450 provides a LIFETIME of coverage
✓ Contacting a licensed funeral
home or embalming center
near the place of death
✓ Transporting the deceased
from the place of death to the
funeral home or service center
for preparation
✓ Preparation of the deceased
for transport, nationally or
internationally
✓ Securing all documentation for
shipping including one death certificate
✓ Placing the deceased in appropriate shipping container
✓ Tender to the airport for return to the closest airport to their
legal residence that is capable of receiving human remains
including airfare
✓ Additional individual coverage for family members living in
the same household is $425.
✓ Don’t Delay! Call Now! 412‑486‑3600
Purchase your travel plan here
www.permanfuneralhome.com/travelplan
Frank Perman, Supervisor
HAMPTON ❘ WINTER 2018
11