Q.
Why should a family select a Chicagoland Independent Funeral
Home?
A. As family owned and operated
funeral homes we have deep roots in the local community
and a commitment to serving each family in a personal
manner. We maintain a large investment in the local area
and strive to provide professional services and facilities
at a fair cost.
Q.How much does
an average funeral cost?
A. The average cost of a funeral
in the Chicagoland area ranges from $5000.00 to $7500.00
today excluding cemetery fees. Statistics provided by
Federated Funeral Directors of America for 2003list the
average selling price of an adult funeral at $7115.00.
The total cost may vary according to choices made by each
individual family.
Q.Is embalming
preparation required by law?
A.
Embalming preparation is not required by law except in
certain instances. Families may choose a service such
as direct cremation, direct burial or a funeral ceremony
with a closed casket. It may be the policy of each individual
funeral home to require embalming for a funeral with public
viewing.
Q.What is the advantage
of a pre-arranged funeral?
A. An individual may record
their personal wishes and relieve their family of making
choices at a difficult time following a death. By pre-financing
funeral expenses through a trust or insurance program
one may protect assets for funeral expenses in the event
an individual enters a long term nursing home situation.
Q.Is embalming
and a casket necessary for a cremation service?
A. No. Embalming is not required
prior to a cremation service. Although, a family may choose
to have a funeral with a public viewing prior to cremation
which may make embalming necessary. A casket is not required
for a direct cremation. The crematory requires that the
remains are placed in a cremation container for proper
handling.
Q.What burial benefits
are available from government agencies?
A. The Social Security Administration
provides a one time lump sum benefit of $255.00 payable
to a surviving spouse only, The Veterans Administration
provides a flag and a grave marker to honorably discharged
veterans. A monetary allowance of $450.00 plus transportation
expenses is provided if the veteran dies in a VA hospital.
Honorably discharged veterans are also entitled to burial
in a national cemetery at no cost to the family. The Illinois
Department of Human Services (Public Aid) provides a reimbursement
to non-responsibe relatives of $1000.00 toward funeral
expenses and $500.00 toward cemetery expenses if the deceased
is qualified for public aid and has no other assets.
A.