How to Choose a Funeral Home

When a loved one passes away, naturally you want to honor them with a funeral service that is special and meaningful. But how do you find a funeral home in your area to work with? Chances are, you likely get on the internet and perform a Google search for a term like “funeral homes near me”. From there, a list of nearby funeral homes pops up and you browse through it. After looking at a couple of options you pick one, call them and begin making funeral arrangements.

But is that the best choice for you and your family? Or should you take some time to make sure the funeral home you choose, is the right funeral home for you?

choosing the right funeral home senior couple man using tablet

Think about it, the average cost of a traditional funeral service is a just over $7000 according to the National Funeral Directors Association. That’s comparative to the cost of a used car.

If you’re going car shopping, whether it’s for a new or used vehicle, you wouldn’t just buy the first one you see. No, you do research online. You look at reviews. You talk to the dealership. You take it for a test drive. You make sure you’re prepared beforehand. You never just buy it without doing any research.

As you begin your search, here are some things to consider when choosing a funeral home:

Research Testimonials and Reviews

As you begin to research a funeral home, take some time to review their testimonials. There are plenty of places to find testimonials online like on the funeral home’s website, Facebook page, or even review websites like Yelp. By taking some time to see what others have said about the funeral home, you’ll be able to judge whether or not the funeral home is a business you want to work with. Keep in mind, reviews are often very positive or very negative so take them with a grain of salt.

Transparent Communication

When you are speaking with someone from the funeral home, make sure they are transparent and open with you. Arranging a funeral requires you to make many important decisions. It’s important to make sure the funeral director can answer your questions, address your concerns and discuss the process in detail. If you have any questions about pricing or what is included with a package, make sure to ask the funeral director. Our staff would be happy to discuss pricing and what fees are included in the package you select.

Accommodating and Compassionate

If your family has any special requests for the funeral service, make sure the funeral home can accommodate them. A good funeral home will be compassionate and willing to take extra steps to ensure people feel comfortable in their grieving. If you make a reasonable request and the funeral home is unwilling to accommodate you, make sure you know that before any paperwork is signed.

Meeting with The Funeral Director

Your initial meeting with the funeral director is often referred to as an arrangement conference. During this meeting, make sure to ask any questions or concerns you may have. This is your opportunity to learn more about the funeral director and the different services available. Don’t feel like just because you are meeting with a funeral home, you are now obligated to do business with them. Your first meeting with the funeral director is a chance to get a general sense of what the funeral home is like.

Medicine Hat’s Trusted Funeral Home

Whether you are in immediate need or looking to prearrange a service, we would be honored to assist you. With a monuments store and cemetery located on our grounds, Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel & Crematorium offers everything your family needs to say a meaningful goodbye.

Whether you are in need of burial or graveside services, cremation services, or memorial services, our staff will work with you to ensure we help honour your loved one in a dignified and respectful way. Every family we serve is different and they each have their own unique needs. We pride ourselves on being able to meet the needs of each family regardless of the type of service they require.