Exactly what is embalming and why should I consider it?
Embalming is the complete disinfection, preservation and restoration of human remains. The embalming procedure replaces body fluids with preservative solutions and is performed respectfully by a licensed funeral director. Although not a legal requirement, embalming is routinely practiced to preserve the deceased and protect the health and safety of family and friends throughout the visitation and funeral period.

If I want to be cremated, can I still have visitation and a funeral?
Cremation does not exclude either visitation or a funeral service. Often families choose to have cremation after visitation and a funeral service. When cremation takes place before the service, the ashes may be present for a memorial service. Ashes may be buried, entombed, scattered or kept by the family.

Should children attend visitation and the funeral?
When a death occurs, family members are struggling with their own loss. They may feel uncomfortable and unprepared to cope with the needs of the children in the family. Unfortunately, many well-meaning adults decide that children should be shielded from death and funerals and do not include them in the funeral rites.

We know that if children are old enough to love, they are old enough to feel the pain of loss. Even young children notice that a family member is missing. They are aware that normal family routines have been disrupted and that the adults in their life are distracted and upset.

The "experts" urge us to:

• provide children with simple age appropriate information.
• offer children the opportunity to attend visitation and/or funeral.
• never force a child to attend who does not want to go.
• learn about how children grieve.

Once again, we encourage parents and caregivers to ask about our Children's Information Program. Many families report that our professionally prepared educational resources have provided sensitive, supportive, guidance when explaining death to their children.