Funeral practices are influenced by religious and cultural traditions, costs and personal preferences. These factors help determine whether the funeral will be elaborate or simple, public or private, religious or secular, and whether there will be a burial or cremation. The caring staff at Dennett, Craig & Pate is here to help you with this process. We can help you with whatever type of final arrangements you choose.

Before we meet in person, we invite you to visit our Family Worksheet. This worksheet will let you know the type of information that is required in order for us to obtain the official Death Certificate needed to finalize the estate. If you don't have all the information at once, don't worry; we can still move forward with the process and fill in the missing information later. We also invite you to download our Survivor's Checklist, which will give you a great deal of information about the paperwork and notifications involved following a death.

The next step will be to meet in person, either at our home or yours. This is where we will determine the type of final arrangements that are right for you and your family, whether burial or cremation.

Every family is different, and not everyone wants a conventional burial; many people prefer cremation. Even if this is your loved one's preference, you can still have a viewing or visitation, where you can meet with your family and friends and share memories, comfort and support.

Once you choose cremation, there are yet other decisions to be made, but standard cremation services may include many of the following:

• Professional care of the deceased
• Use of the staff and funeral home for viewing/visitation
• Funeral (with body present) or memorial service (body not present),
     whether at one of our funeral homes, church or other location
• Equipment and staff required for a graveside committal service
• Use of a hearse or limousine
• An urn
• Outer burial container (urn vault)
• Burial
• Scattering of Ashes
• Register book
• Acknowledgment cards

With whatever type of service you choose, Dennett, Craig and Pate will take care of the many details involved, including:

• Securing the necessary permits and copies of Death Certificates
• Writing the obituary; we will prepare a draft (from your information) for you to finalize
• Preparing the notices
• Coordinating the arrangements with the cemetery
• Transporting the deceased

We realize that in placing your trust in us, you have also placed us in charge of some of the most personal and meaningful plans you will ever have to make. It is our privilege to serve you, and our solemn promise that we will do our utmost to make this difficult time a little easier, and to see that you are secure and comfortable with the choices you make. We hope that together we can create a unique remembrance of your loved one.

Dedicated, Caring Professionals
Here to help you when you need it most.

(207) 282-0562