As a funeral provides an opportunity for family and friends of the deceased to reflect on the life of their loved one, it is the constant vision of the Burke Funeral Home and staff to help survivors plan a service that provides an environment of emotional support and professional assistance.

The funeral home and staff are available 24 hours a day to respond to any personal needs regarding death and the availability of our services. A meeting or family conference may be set up with family members or close friends to help plan a service designed to meet the emotional and financial needs of one’s family. Arrangements may be made at our funeral home’s office or in the privacy of a family residence.

The assistance we can provide includes:

• arranging and supervising the funeral/memorial or cremation services
• notification of death to the clergy and arrangement of religious ceremonies
• notification of death to cemetery personnel to arrange for burial space and burial
• contacting any appropriate government agency to arrange for any available benefits
• contacting the Veterans Administration to apply for all benefits, if applicable
• obtaining, completing and filing the death certificate with the appropriate registrar
• arranging for cremation, transportation and disposition of the remains
• providing an obituary to newspapers requested by the family
• making any requested orders for flowers with any selected ceremony
• providing complete preparation and care of the deceased, including professional restoration if necessary
• making available a guest register book and various printed materials for visitation or funeral services
• providing any family with a list of grief resources in this area as well as access to our lending library
• notifying any local clubs, organizations or groups for any services on behalf of the family
• providing an American flag furnished by the government for any deceased veteran
• providing information on burial in any National Cemetery
• furnishing any private or public tour of our facilities for family, supervised children or groups
• explaining federal, state health and regulatory rules as well as our pricing and available services and merchandise
• providing attention to all details for various services and arrangements in addition to those listed here
• maintaining complete confidential privacy with regard to all details and family matters

In an effort to make available as wide a range of services as possible, we offer the following options:

Traditional Services

Generally, a traditional funeral is held either at the funeral home or at a place of worship. Customary to the traditional funeral service is a period of visitation. This visitation, often referred to as a wake, can be held at the funeral home or other locations at the request of the family. Our staff is well versed in traditions, various customs of both ethnic and religious backgrounds, as well as fraternal, veteran or any other rituals.

Planning a traditional funeral service involves the selection of a casket, a vault, and/or a cremation urn. In addition, the family will decide upon the type of service (religious or non-religious), choice of music when requested, selection of burial site, choice of flowers, and a listing of favorite charities so that friends and family may have the option to make donations in memory of their loved one.

Also at this time, the writing and placing of classified death notices in newspaper(s) will take place, depending on each family’s personal requests.

Cremation Services

Cremation is the process of reducing the body to its essential elements through the application of intense heat. This process is used widely by many cultures in many parts of the world.

Cremation can occur before or after a funeral service. If the family chooses to have the body present at the funeral service, cremation can take place afterward. It is also possible to have the body cremated, and then hold a memorial service with or without the ashes (also referred to as cremains) present.

Alternative Services

William J. Burke & Sons is committed to working with families to create a personalized ceremony. Please discuss any specific requests you have with our staff who will offer suggestions to best accommodate your wishes. As each person’s wishes differ, there is no set format or plan to follow. All services or ceremonies are guided and conducted by our licensed funeral directors, with all choices and decisions made by the family.

Obituaries

If it is a choice to have an article appear in any newspaper, our firm assists each family with the written content and format for newspaper obituaries, death notices and memorial announcements. As part of our continued service, we are also available to provide the notices on behalf of the family to any publications available.

Financial Assistance

It has long been the practice of our firm to assist any family with numerous benefits available to them, before, during or as part of our aftercare service, with respect to but not limited to the following:

• U.S. Social Security
• Department of Veteran Affairs
• Insurance and Death Benefits
• Union or Employee Pension Funds
• Fraternal Groups or Professional Groups
• Railroad Worker's Compensation