Burial Information

When your time of need comes and the next of kin or the family decides to request a funeral that involves embalming and a regular burial (whether it is a traditional funeral or a direct burial), you have multiple choices regarding funeral services. The dedicated professionals at the Calvin Funeral Home are here to help families when they need to make the tough decisions regarding these procedures. We understand the decision-making progress is tough, but part of our job is to be there and assist our families in any way we possibly can.

When a family has discussed, and decided on the option of a burial service, the Calvin Funeral Home is here to assist with the following decisions. The list shown below is just a small example of what we can help with when the time of need comes. Our licensed professionals and staff are here to assist with:

• Assisting in planning the proper funeral or burial service to honor your loved one.
• Assisting in the selection of the casket and vault required for burial services.
• Assisting in the selection of a cemetery, cemetery lot and cemetery opening and closing fees.
• Assisting in the selection of service folders, register book, music or tribute videos unique to you.
• Assisting in the writing of the death notice and obituary to be posted online and in local newspapers.
• Assisting in getting legal documentation, such as death certificates and permits for burial to occur.

There are also many other choices when it comes to a regular burial and funeral service, including the selection of clothing, flowers, the visitation and funeral location and other aspects specific to your services. This makes it unique to the family, and specifically honors the loved one that has been lost. Because every funeral is not the same, we encourage you to come up with a list of questions that may be of importance to your family to ensure the proper dignity and respect is given.

When faced with the difficult decisions that lie ahead, our staff is always available and ready to help you with any questions you may have regarding the funeral process. Please feel free to contact us at (269) 621-4101 when the situation arises, and we would be happy to help guide you.

By definition, according to the Federal Trade Commission, this type of funeral usually includes a viewing or visitation and formal funeral service, use of a hearse to transport the body to the funeral site and cemetery, and burial, entombment, or cremation of the remains.

The FTC also says that a traditional funeral is generally the most expensive type of funeral. In addition to the funeral home's basic services fee, costs often include embalming and dressing the body; rental of the funeral home for the viewing or service; and use of vehicles to transport the family if they don't use their own. The costs of a casket, cemetery plot or crypt and other funeral goods and services will also have to be factored in.

By definition, according to the Federal Trade Commission, immediate burial means that the body is buried shortly after death, usually in a simple container. No viewing or visitation is involved, so no embalming is necessary. A memorial service may be held at the graveside or at a later time. Direct burial usually costs less than the "traditional funeral". Costs include the funeral home's basic services fee, as well as transportation and care of the body, the purchase of a casket or burial container and a cemetery plot or crypt. If the family chooses to be at the cemetery for the burial, the funeral home often charges an additional fee for a graveside service.

Consumers are encouraged to pick up a General Price List at their local funeral home. Our General Price List covers all the costs involved in further detail. This can be obtained in person or by going to the General Price List page of our website.