Funeral Home Myths and Their Truths

There are tons of myths circulating the world about funeral homes and related services. If you’re doing research into funeral homes in Trenton, NJ, you need to make sure that you clear on some common funeral home myths and misconceptions. The following list of funeral home myths and their truths will help guide you on your process:

1. Funeral home products like caskets and cremation urns have to be bought from the funeral home. In reality, the Federal Trade Commission’s 1984 Funeral Rule protects consumer’s right to purchase funeral products from any source.
2. A high-quality casket and vault will preserve remains forever. Caskets and vaults that are well made with durable construction and high-tech seals help keep water and dirt out, but they will never stop decomposition entirely.
3. The law requires embalming. The law does not require embalming in most situations. There are some circumstances that vary by state in which embalming is required. However, these are rare.
4. Cremation is the only environmentally friendly alternative to burial. While cremation can be greener than burial, that’s not always the case. There are also lots of other green alternatives out there, and you can choose to have a green burial where there are no embalming fluids, chemicals or unnatural casket materials.
5. Funeral directors only want to make money. Like any other professional in customer services, from doctors to florists, funeral directors do charge for their services but strive to make those services worthwhile. There are some funeral directors who are “bad apples” but they are few and far between.
6. Funerals are overpriced. You can spend as little or as much as you like when planning a funeral. Services vary in cost depending on location.
7. There are strict laws governing the disposition of cremated remains. Laws about cremated remains vary greatly from state to state, but they only deal with burial or scattering. Some states have regulations on where ashes can be scattered, but there are no federal laws. Be sure to double-check your state’s laws before scattering remains.
8. The law requires burial vaults. Some cemeteries require burial vaults, but there are no laws that require them. Check with your cemetery to make sure you understand their requirements before the funeral.
9. Funerals homes are sad places. While this may have been true in the past, funeral homes have changed a lot. Funerals themselves can be very joyous occasions as loved ones celebrate the deceased’s life. In a typical modern funeral, laughter and music coexist with tears and ritual.

If you want to learn more about Trenton, NJ funeral homes, J. Allen Hooper Funeral Chapel is here to help. We offer a wide range of funeral home services and have years of experience ready to put to your disposal. Please stop by and visit us at 41 W Trenton Ave Morrisville, PA 19067, or give us a call at (215) 295-7725 for more information on what we can do for you.