Funeral Facts

Things You Should Know:

Death at home sudden to unexpected death at home or other private residence when a physician is not present should be reported to the local law enforcement authority immediately. Do not disturb the body. When the police arrive, they will notify the proper authorities for removal of the body. Let the police know your preference of funeral home. Depending on the circumstances of death, it may be required that the remains be first transported to and or released by the county medical examiner.

When death at home is anticipated, normally the patient is under Hospice care. When the death occurs, you should contact Hospice. Hospice will often facilitate many of the procedures listed above, including contact with the funeral home of your choice.

Embalming is required by State Law if the remains are not remitted or buried with on 48-hour period of death, or if the deceased had certain communicable diseases. Embalming will impede but will not prevent the natural decomposition of a body. The 48-hour period is measured like a clock, which starts ticking immediately at the time of death. There is no exception under current law from embalming requirements for refrigeration, nor is a funeral home required to have refrigeration available.

Autopsies are performed, pursuant to State Law, at the discretion of the County Medical Examiner when the death occurs from any cause without a physician present or under suspicious circumstances. No family member may prohibit an autopsy by the County authority and no permission from the family is required. Any person with reasonable cause to believe that a death was not of natural or accidental causes must report their suspicions to the local law enforcement authority and may request an autopsy by the Medical Examiner. Next-of-kin may grant or deny this privilege to the hospital where the death occurred. Cremations may take place legally only after permission has been received from the county Medical Examiner to ensure that the diseases conceal no criminal action. The funeral home and crematory will require express written authorization for cremation.

Caskets or Containers they will not prevent the natural decomposition of a body. State law for burial does not require caskets and containers and caskets are not required for cremations. However, crematories and cemeteries usually have minimum requirements. Caskets are viable through Jewett Family funeral Services.

Crematory Policies
Require some type of non-plastic, rigid, combustible containers to hold the body during cremation, a funeral home can provide such a container.


Cemetery Requirements usually includes a minimum container and some sort of protection to prevent the collapse of the grave after a burial, such containers liners or box or some type of vault. A vault is more expensive that a liner as it completely encases the casket. Neither a vault nor liner ensures preservation of the body. Many cemeteries have specific requirements concerning the type of memorial or marker that may be placed on the grave and minimum container requirements for entombment of cremated remains. Cemeteries may establish their own requirements and charge for them. Check with the cemetery of your choice to determine its minimum requirements.

Cash Advance Items are goods or services that are paid to third party by the funeral direcector on your behalf such as obituary notices, death certificates, and clergy or musician honoraria. The funeral director may request payment for these services in advance. The law prohibits charging more than the actual cost of these items without informing the consumer.

Professional Services. In general, you only have to pay for the goods and services that you want, although you may be required to pay a basic charge for professional services or may be required to purchase a certain good or service when the purchase of another good or service is impractical or unduly burdensome without it.

Death Away From Home If you are traveling (or living away from your home town) immediately contact your home town funeral home director who will be able to make the necessary professional contacts for you (including, if necessary, a funeral home in the location of the death), usually within minutes, often avoiding costs resulting from duplication of services.

Death Overseas. If the death occurs in a foreign country, the U.S. Consulate in that country can assist in making arrangements. These arrangements vary in cost and can be vary expensive, so be sure to insist upon careful cost estimates. Also be sure to obtain at least ten English translations of the death certificate at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

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