Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I have a funeral

Funerals are a way for the living to honor those who have died. In addition to being a way to say good-bye, they also allow each life to be celebrated and remembered. Different funeral and memorial ceremonies, as well as a variety of burial and cremation practices, have been observed and handed down in multiple cultures for hundreds of years. The decision to hold a funeral or not, however, is a personal choice.

What do funeral directors do?

They make the 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.

How can a funeral home help me?

In addition to the services provided by a Funeral Director, a Funeral Home can offer physical space in which to hold private or public gatherings, and provide for and carry out the preparation and transportation of remains. They also offer a variety of merchandise, such as caskets and urns, and offer a number of services, from placing obituary and other newspaper announcements to assistance with insurance and benefits paperwork. The funeral home can also serve as the primary contact for information for a funeral ceremony, relieving the family of this additional task during a difficult time. To find out more about the many ways a funeral home can help, please contact us.

What is embalming?

Embalming is the process of using chemicals to help preserve a body temporarily while plans are made for the funeral, cremation or shipment of the deceased.

What determines the cost of a funeral?

The cost of a funeral will depend on all the different services and products that are chosen. Physical items such as caskets, urns, grave liners and facility usage are one aspect of overall price. Service items such as transportation, planning and staffing are another. Hughes will help you make arrangements that best meet your needs.

How can I personalize a funeral ceremony?

Ceremonies can be personalized in many ways to reflect the person being remembered – from choice and location of gathering to the inclusion of music and mementos. Please feel free to contact us directly for more information.

Do I have to hold ceremonies at the funeral home?

No. Our funeral directors will help you plan ceremonies wherever you choose to hold them, such as at the graveside, at an ash-scattering, at a place of worship, at a community or social venue, etc.

What if a burial will take place in another State?

Hughes will carefully arrange for safe transport of your loved one to practically anywhere in the world.

What kinds of services can I have with a burial?

As with a cremation, there are a variety of options available, depending on personal wishes and/or religious beliefs. Before the actual burial, a family may choose a Visitation, and Funeral Service. At the time of burial, a Graveside Service is an option. Hughes will also work with you to plan something entirely different if that is your wish.

Why do people have public viewings?

A viewing is a period of time set aside for friends and family to view the body of the person who has died. This is a very literal way for family and friends to find closure and say their final good-byes.

Who takes the flowers to the cemetery?

Hughes will transport the flowers as part of the services they offer. Once all ceremonies have been held, families may also make arrangements for Hughes to deliver flowers to their home, local nursing homes or places of worship.

How will the immediate family get to the cemetery?

Members of the immediate family can drive and ride in their own vehicles to the cemetery, or Hughes can arrange for transportation for them in a limousine or Family Car.

Do you have to be embalmed if you are going to be buried?

Not necessarily. Embalming is not needed for a simple identification viewing by the family or someone designated by the family. Embalming is necessary if the family of the deceased chooses to have an open casket, public viewing and visitation of their loved one, prior to the ceremony or cremation process. Embalming is also not necessary when the casket is going to be closed to the family and public during visitation periods. In certain instances, religious customs dictate that embalming is not permitted.

What if I want to be buried right away so I don’t have to be embalmed. Can my family still come say goodbye?

Yes. Hughes offers refrigeration until time for burial. You can also arrange a small private family viewing at Hughes.

Does being cremated mean you can’t have a funeral?

Absolutely not. For example, a Viewing and Visitation can be held before a body is cremated. Following cremation, a memorial or other ceremony may be held, with or without the cremated remains present. If cremated remains are going to be buried, a graveside ceremony is an option. If cremated remains are going to be scattered, a ceremony can be held at that time. We will work with you to plan the type of ceremony that best meets your needs.

What is cremation?

Cremation is the process of exposing the deceased to extreme heat and flame in order to reduce the body into cremains or ashes, commonly refered to as cremated remains.

What happens to the cremated remains after cremation?

There are several options for cremated remains after cremation. Cremated remains can be placed in an Urn or other container and buried in a cemetery. They can be placed in a Columbarium or Mausoleum. They can be Scattered. in a variety of ways. You can also take them home with you. There are also other options, such as making gemstone jewelry from a portion of the cremated remains so they may be worn in memory of someone. A Hughes funeral director will review with you the many options available.

Do you have to be embalmed if you are going to be cremated?

Not necessarily. Embalming is not needed for a simple identification viewing by the family or someone designated by the family. Embalming is necessary if the family of the deceased chooses to have an open casket, public viewing and visitation of their loved one, prior to the ceremony or cremation process. Embalming is also not necessary when the casket is going to be closed to the family and public during visitation periods. In certain instances, religious customs dictate that embalming is not permitted.

Do you have to have a casket if you are going to be cremated?

A casket is not required for cremation, but under the Federal Trade Commission Rule (FTC Funeral Rule), funeral homes must have an unfinished wooden box or cardboard container available for cremation.

Can I supply my own container to hold cremated remains following cremation?

Yes. You do not have to purchase a container from Hughes. Cremated Remains will be returned to you in a simple container from the crematory which will be suitable for burial or shipping. Hughes also offers a wide variety of other containers, from which you can select should you desire to do so.

Is cremation cheaper than burial?

The cost of both cremation and burial will vary, depending on what options, merchandise, and services are chosen. A Hughes funeral director will work with you to review options so that you can select one that best meets your needs.

Can I be present during the cremation?

Yes. You may make arrangements with your funeral director to be present during cremation. There is a fee for this service.