April 4, 2025

Losing a loved one is an emotional and challenging time, and navigating the funeral process can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s your first time making funeral arrangements or you’re unsure about certain aspects of the process, it’s natural to have many questions. Understanding the typical procedures and options available can help ease the burden during this difficult time. Here are some of the most frequently asked funeral questions and their answers to guide you through the process. 1. What is the difference between a funeral and a memorial service? A funeral typically involves a ceremony held with the body of the deceased present, either before or during burial or cremation. It often includes a viewing or wake, where family and friends can pay their respects. A memorial service , on the other hand, takes place after the body has been buried or cremated and does not involve the presence of the body. Memorial services may be held in various settings, such as homes, churches, or other venues, and can be personalized to reflect the life of the deceased. 2. What is embalming, and is it required? Embalming is a process that involves preserving the body to delay decomposition, usually for viewing purposes. It is not legally required in most places but may be necessary if the body is to be displayed at a public service or transported over long distances. In cases where there will be no viewing, embalming is typically not needed. However, certain states or countries may have regulations about embalming or the timing of burial. It’s important to check with the funeral home to determine what’s required in your area. 3. How much does a funeral cost? The cost of a funeral can vary greatly depending on factors like location, the type of service, and the funeral home you choose. There are options to help manage funeral expenses, such as cremation (which can be less expensive than burial), choosing a less elaborate service, or purchasing a funeral plan in advance. 4. What is cremation, and how does it differ from burial? Cremation involves the process of reducing the body to ashes. Many people choose cremation for its simplicity, lower cost, and flexibility in how the ashes can be kept, scattered, or interred. Some people opt for a cremation memorial service, where the ashes are present but there is no body. Burial , on the other hand, involves placing the body in a casket and then burying it in a cemetery. This option may include the purchase of a grave plot, headstone, and other related services. The choice between cremation and burial depends on personal, cultural, and religious preferences. 5. What are the steps in planning a funeral? Planning a funeral typically involves the following steps: Notify family and friends : Reach out to close family and friends and inform them of the passing. Choose a funeral home : Select a funeral home to help with arrangements, including embalming (if applicable), obtaining necessary permits, and coordinating transportation. Select the type of service : Decide on whether you want a funeral, memorial, or graveside service. You’ll also need to choose the location and any religious or cultural elements to incorporate. Choose a casket or urn : Select a casket for burial or an urn for cremation. There are many styles and price ranges to choose from. Plan the ceremony : Work with the funeral director to plan the service, including music, readings, eulogies, and floral arrangements. Arrange for transportation : The funeral home will coordinate the transportation of the body to the service and burial or cremation site. 6. Should I pre-plan a funeral? Pre-planning a funeral is a personal choice. Many people choose to pre-plan to relieve their loved ones of the burden of making arrangements during a time of grief. Pre-planning allows you to specify your wishes for the service, casket, burial, and other aspects of the funeral, ensuring your desires are respected. Additionally, pre-paying for a funeral can help protect your family from rising costs in the future. However, it’s important to carefully consider pre-planning options, as funeral costs can vary, and you’ll want to ensure that the plan is flexible and fully understood by the family members who will carry out your wishes. 7. What are the options for scattering ashes? If you choose cremation, there are many options for what to do with the ashes: Scattering : Many people choose to scatter the ashes in a location that had significance to the deceased, such as a favorite park, beach, or nature spot. Keepsake urns : Some families choose to keep a portion of the ashes in a special urn or piece of jewelry. Interment : Ashes can be interred in a family plot or at a cemetery, either in a niche or within a memorial garden. Other creative options : There are many creative options for commemorating the deceased, including turning ashes into diamonds or using them to create a memorial reef. 8. What is a death certificate, and why is it important? A death certificate is an official document issued by a governmental authority that confirms the death of a person. It is essential for handling legal and financial matters, such as settling the deceased’s estate, claiming life insurance, and closing accounts. The funeral home typically assists in obtaining several copies of the death certificate. 9. Can I personalize a funeral service? Absolutely! Many families choose to personalize the funeral service to reflect the deceased’s personality, passions, or hobbies. You can incorporate meaningful music, photos, special readings, or even display personal items that were important to the deceased. The funeral director can help guide you through creative options for personalization. 10. What should I do if I can’t attend the funeral? If you’re unable to attend the funeral in person, consider sending flowers, a sympathy card, or making a charitable donation in the deceased’s honor. If the family holds a memorial service, they may also offer the option to participate virtually, such as through a livestream. It’s always thoughtful to express your condolences in any way possible. Funeral planning can be complex, but understanding the answers to these frequently asked questions can help make the process easier to navigate. Whether you are arranging a funeral for a loved one or pre-planning your own, it’s important to take the time to make informed decisions. By doing so, you can create a meaningful, respectful ceremony that honors the life and memory of the deceased, while providing comfort to those who are grieving.

Statistics tell us that over 80% of Americans live within one hour of an urban area.  If the population of the USA is about 333 million then that leaves the other 20%, or almost 67 million people outside of those urban areas.  I’m one of those 67 million and I love where I live, but as this article and news video from Montana’s KTVQ points out,  sometimes there are inconveniences that happen because of the lack of urbanization in our communities.

The article points out that many funeral directors in Montana have an access problem in what we in the profession would call “Human remains air transportation”.  While it appears, according to the article, that human remains can be flown in when plane size and a trained staff is there to meet the plane, it also appears that having human remains leave the state by common aircraft carrier is a major problem.

At Billings, Montana’s Logan International Airport, according to the article, Manager Jeff Roach says there are a couple of problems –one of which is that the airport cannot transport human remains due to a lack of trained personnel and infrastructure. It appears that while remains cannot be flown out on common carrier, they can be brought in by plane.  Here’s what Roach says about that issue in the article, “When human remains come inbound, it’s much easier for them to have somebody arranged to pick those up. Whereas outbound, they need to have a place where they can safely hold the human remains until the flight departs.”

In addition, the size of the aircraft used is also a problem.  On that issue Roach says this, “It really needs to be on a mainline aircraft like a 737 or an A320 that has the cargo space in order to actually facilitate that. That’s a part of that whole equation that the air carriers also have to take into consideration.”

According to the article, some funeral directors in Montana have had to drive as far as Denver, Salt Lake City, or Fargo, North Dakota, to place human remains for air transportation.

Funeral Director Daily take:  On one issue it is probably the business law of “supply and demand” causing some of the problem.  That issue is the size of plane an airline flies in and out of Montana airports.  From my point of view, such as when I fly out of Fargo, North Dakota, most of the planes are the 30 to 50 seat varieties.  There just is not enough demand to fly in the larger planes such as the 737 or A320 which have, depending on configuration, between 150-200 seats. . . .and ample cargo room for human remains.

Smaller passenger travel airports are subsidized by the United States Essential Air Service mandate and that mandate dictates that the United States Transportation Department “subsidizes commuter and certificated air carriers to serve approximately 60 communities in Alaska and 115 communities in the lower 48 contiguous states that otherwise would not receive any scheduled air service”.  There is no mandate on the size of aircraft that will serve these regions.

Billings is not an “Essential Air Service” subsidized airport, but these airports in Montana are:  Butte, Havre, Glasgow, Glendive, Sidney, West Yellowstone, and Wolf Point.

The other issue mentioned by the airport manager, that of secured space for the holding of human remains, should find a solution if the funeral directors association, the airport, and the common carriers can determine the type of facility necessary and the cost sharing to staff such a facility.

Related —  The Essential Air Service mandate

Related —  United States Essential Air Service airport list

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