Compassionate Answers to Your Funeral & Memorial Questions

When a person dies at home, notify Walter Sanders Funeral & Cremation Services immediately. They will advise you on the proper procedures for transferring the body from the residence.

If a death occurs at a hospital, the family should first authorize the hospital to release the body to the funeral home. The funeral director will coordinate with hospital authorities for the transfer.

If the family grants permission for an autopsy, the responsible party or next of kin must sign a statement authorizing the procedure. In some cases, the coroner or medical examiner may require an autopsy. It's advisable for the family to contact the funeral director at Walter Sanders Funeral Home.

It's customary to notify the clergy following a death. They can offer words of reassurance and make themselves available for consultation and support.

Families may call the funeral director at any hour of the day or night. The staff is prepared to offer qualified personnel to assist the family.

When a person dies away from home, it's recommended that survivors immediately contact the funeral director in the area where the deceased resided. The funeral director can properly advise the family on returning the body to the local area.

Funerals provide surviving family members and friends a caring, supportive environment to recognize the death of a loved one and share thoughts and feelings about that person. They serve as the first step in the healing process. The ritual of attending a funeral service offers several benefits:

• Providing a social support system for the bereaved
• Helping the bereaved understand that 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 deceased
• Offering a time to say goodbye

It's possible to have a full funeral service even for those choosing cremation. The importance lies in providing a social gathering to help the bereaved begin the healing process.

At some point, most individuals will make or assist in making funeral arrangements. While this may not be an easy time, here are some tips for smart planning:

• Be an informed consumer and ask questions.
• Call Walter Sanders Funeral & Cremation Services anytime, day or night.
• Discuss all service and payment options during the funeral arrangements.
• Be prepared and make decisions and organize details in advance of need.
• Plan a personalized and meaningful ceremony to help begin healing.

Funeral directors at Walter Sanders Funeral & Cremation Services are trained caregivers and administrators. They make arrangements for the transportation of the deceased, complete all necessary paperwork, and implement the choices made by the family regarding the funeral and final disposition of the deceased.

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

Every family is different, and not everyone desires the same type of funeral. Funeral practices are influenced by religious and cultural traditions, costs, and personal preferences. These factors influence whether the body will be present at the funeral, if there will be a viewing or visitation, and other service details.