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FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
Should
I bring my children to the funeral home and funeral?
We encourage parents to bring their children to visitation and funeral
services. Death is part of life and children need to understand that at
an early age. However, we do offer the convience of a kids
play room so that they can still attend with you but have access to
toys and games at the same time. The kids play room is
convientely located on the lower floor of the funeral home.
At
the Steff-Mattera Funeral Home we want you and your family to be as
comfortable as possible, that's why we have a kids play area
specifically set up for kids to play with toys and watch
videos.
If
you call ahead, we will personally address any
questions that a child may have. We also have two booklets, "Explaining
Death to Children" and "Talking to Children about Death" which we will
be glad to give you or mail to you. Contact us at info@stefffuneralhome.com.
Is embalming
required by law?
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, there is no law requiring
embalming. However, the remains must be buried or cremated within 24
hours of death. The only exception is when there are religious beliefs
against embalming.
Are burial vaults required by law?
There is no law requiring a burial receptacle or burial vault. However,
most cemeteries require a cave proof container that the casket will be
buried in.
Should I preplan a funeral?
We are always willing to sit down with a family to
discuss preplanning.
Preplanning will reduce the stress of making funeral arrangements by
your loved ones. We offer a booklet "Pre-Planning 101" that answers
many questions in regard to preplanning. We will be glad to mail a copy
if you would contact us at info@stefffuneralhome.com.
I have a pre-arranged funeral, can I transfer
it to another funeral home?
A recent court ruling in Pennsylvania says that you are not able to
transfer to another funeral home. However, any reputable funeral home
will voluntarily transfer your account with interest to the funeral
home of your choice.
What do I do when death occurs away from home?
Call your hometown funeral home. They are trained to handle deaths away
from home and may be able to save you some costs in bringing your loved
one home.
What is the cost of a funeral?
Costs of a funeral will vary depending upon each individual family's
wishes and desires. Under the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) a funeral
home must present to you a General Price List, Casket Price List and
Burial Receptacle Price List. At
the Steff-Mattera Funeral Home, we are willing to
discuss all costs openly with anyone to meet their
wishes and desires for a personalized service.
Should
we have a traditional funeral or cremation?
A traditional funeral helps each family member grieve by viewing the
remains of the deceased. It also give the public an oppunity to pay
their respects to the family.
You can also have a visitation and cremation for a final service.
A memorial service is for an individual that has died and was either
buried or cremated prior to the funeral service.
Where should I buy a casket of burial
receptacle or burial vault?
Under the FTC rules, you may purchase a casket or burial vault from
anyone selling such products. However, your funeral director has the
best knowledge of these products and can advise you.
Should I buy my casket from a casket store
for future use?
There is no law in Pennsylvania requiring a casket store to trust any
monies given to them for future use. Contact your funeral director
before purchasing any merchandise for future use. Funeral directors
must comply with the Funeral Directors Law in Pennsylvania, which
states “all monies received by a funeral director must be placed in a
banking institution within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania within 30
days from date of pre need contract.”
How can I obtain a certified copy of a death
record?
We will be glad to help obtain a certified copy of a death record by
contacting us at info@stefffuneralhome.com
or by phone.
If death occurred in Pennsylvania, you can also visit the following
link:
Pennsylvania
birth certificate or death record, marriage license and other vital
records
Other questions?
Please contact us at info@stefffuneralhome.com
or call:
Steff -Mattera Funeral Home
814-756-4151 |
