FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Please contact us if you have additional questions, concerns or simply want more information.

Is a funeral or memorial service always held in a funeral home or place of worship?
These are the most common, but a service can usually be held at any location that family and friends feel would be comfortable and appropriate.
 
Is it appropriate to have a viewing only and not a service?
Yes, if that is your wish. We can arrange designated times for the viewing, have the times published in the newspaper and add to the obituary that services will be private or at the convenience of the family.

How soon after or long after a death must an individual be buried?
This varies by state. In Pennsylvania…. West Virginia… and in  Ohio ….. Considerations include the need to secure all permits and authorizations, notification of family and friends, preparation of cemetery site and religious customs.

How much does a funeral cost?
A funeral, like any other service, can have a range of service offerings, depending upon the details arranged. Funeral offerings are divided into three categories. Services, as provided by the funeral director and funeral home staff.  Merchandise, such as caskets, outer burial containers, urns, etc. Outside funeral home services such as cemetery, flowers, newspaper notices, etc.  Greco-Hertnick can work with you to form an estimate and review all details.

Will the estimate that you provide include everything?
We will explain all of the charges that are provided for the service, merchandise, etc. Any additional offerings for opening and closing the grave, clergy honorarium, newspaper notices, flowers, organist, church sexton, etc. will also be explained.

Will life insurance pay for funerals?
Yes, Greco-Hertnick generally does allow for an insurance assignment. However, please contact us to ensure that your insurance policy will cover for the type of funeral service you want.

What are burial vaults and graveliners?
These are the outside containers into which the casket is placed. Burial vaults are made of a variety or combination of materials including concrete, stainless steel, galvanized steel, cooper, bronze, plastic or fiberglass. A graveliner is a lightweight version of a vault, which simply keeps the grave surface from sinking in.

Should a child attend a funeral?
Children grieve just as adults do. When a death occurs, children need to be surrounded by feelings of warmth, acceptance and understanding. Caring adults can guide children through this time when the child is experiencing feelings for which they have no words and thus cannot identify. In a very real way, this time can be a growth experience for the child, teaching about love and relationships.

The key is to allow the participation, not to force it. Forced participation can be harmful. Children instinctively have a good sense of how involved they wish to be. They should be listened to carefully.

What happens if someone close to me dies away from home?
After the death has occurred, call us as soon as possible so we can make the necessary arrangements to care for the deceased, relieving you of the burden of dealing with unfamiliar people, places and related issues.

Does Veterans Administration pay for veteran's funerals?
Although the Veterans Administration does not pay for complete funerals, it does provide certain merchandise, services and reimbursements. Your local VA office can provide you with a variety of benefits available.   The national cemetery of the Alleghenies which is less than an hour drive from Weirton offers an honorable discharged veteran and his or her spouse or minor child a free burial which includes gravesite, grave liner, marker, opening/closing or an interment of an urn.

Why would I need to purchase Certified Copies of a death certificate?
Certified copies are used as proof of death for the transfer of stocks and bonds, banking transactions and life insurance. We can help you determine how many you may need to settle an estate and also secure them for you.

If I donate my remains to medical science, can there still be a service?
In addition to coordinating the donation, we can arrange for a memorial service to be held at a time and place convenient for the family.

Can you have cremation with an open casket visitation?
Yes, more families select an appropriate service, such as visitation and traditional funeral, to take place before the cremation or after.

Can cremated remains be scattered?
A family may, if they wish, scatter the cremated remains of their loved one on privately owned property with the consent of the property owner. If you select scattering, always be sure to check you local, state and federal laws concerning scattering of remains. Scattering, however, is neither practical nor considerate of all concerned. It may be very traumatic for family members to scatter fragmented, yet recognizable bone fragments of their loved one. In additional, later generations of the family may not have a place to go to pay tribute, if that private property has been sold or developed into something else. Only a cemetery provides for the dignified, permanent record and memorialization of cremated remains.

Do Catholics allow cremation?
Catholic News Service announced that the Vatican now permits in the United States funeral Masses with cremated remains present. It will be the decision of each bishop to determine if this is pastorally appropriate in his diocese.  The Catholic Church does not permit separating or scattering of cremated remains.