QuickLinks:  Traditional Services  |  Cremation Services  |  Personalization  |  Other Services

Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home offers a choice of services which may be individually tailored to meet your needs. We realize every family is different and not everyone wants the same type of funeral. Funeral practices are influenced by religious and cultural traditions, personal preferences and cost. These factors help to determine the type of service you choose. We will explain the options available to you, so you can make an informed decision. Please contact us directly or online with any questions or concerns or if you need additional information.

Traditional Services

A traditional service prior to burial, entombment or cremation, is usually the service of choice. The benefits of the funeral service ritual include providing a social support system for the bereaved, providing an environment for expressing pain, reaffirming one’s relationship with the person who died, and providing a time to say good-bye. This type of service generally includes a public viewing or visitation followed by a funeral service conducted by a member of the clergy or other person chosen by the family. Many times family members or close friends take part in the service by giving a reading, singing or assisting the clergy. Often a fraternal service is conducted during the visitation.

The traditional funeral service may include:

• Basic services of funeral director and staff
• Embalming
• Dressing, cosmetology and other preparation of the deceased
• Transfer of the deceased to the funeral home
• Use of funeral coach
• Automotive equipment
• Use of facilities, staff and equipment
• Casket
• Vault
• Memorial folders or prayer cards
• Acknowledgement cards

As a convenience to families, cash advance items are usually included as part of the funeral bill. These are charges owed to a third party which we pay on your behalf. Examples would include charges for the obituary, minister, organist, cemetery, flowers, food, certified copies of death, etc.

If the ceremony is held in a church there is no additional charge. Nor are there additional charges for arranging and conducting fraternal or military services.

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Cremation Services

Cremation is one of several ways to complete the disposition of the body. The choice of cremation does not limit the options available. If you choose cremation, a funeral or memorial service is appropriate and recommended. Survivors still need the time to grieve and say good-bye. Some of the options available for those choosing cremation are:

• Traditional funeral service followed by cremation. While any casket may be used if cremation is desired, we do have several caskets which may be lower in price than other caskets we sell, as well as an oak rental casket which contains a cremation liner.
  
  
• Memorial service following cremation. This is the same type of ceremony as a funeral ceremony except that instead of the presence of a casket, an urn containing the cremated remains may be present.
  
  
• Private family viewing followed by cremation. Viewing the body helps the family accept that death has occurred and allows them the opportunity to say good-bye.
  
  
• Direct Cremation. The body is cremated shortly after death and the cremated remains are placed in an urn or other container. There is no viewing or visitation.
  
  

There are numerous options available for the disposition of cremated remains, and include the following:

• Interment in an existing family plot. Most cemeteries permit the burial of both a casket and single cremated remains in the same grave space. They also have cremation plots available which are smaller in size and allow for the burial of two cremated remains. Some cemeteries require the cremated remains be placed in an urn vault prior to burial. Having remains interred on cemetery grounds ensures that future generations will have a place to go to remember the deceased and also allows them to place a memorial of some type on the grave.
  
  
• Interment in a columbarium. A columbarium may be located within a mausoleum or chapel or may be free-standing, either indoor or outdoor, and is constructed of numerous small compartments (niches) designed to hold urns containing cremated remains. Each niche is identified with a plaque of some type containing the name of the deceased.
  
  
• Family retention of the cremated remains is an option for many families. An urn suitable for placement on a mantle or shelf may be selected. The cremated remains may be divided and placed in one or more portion urns, or in keepsake jewelry, which is then given to each family member.
  
  
• Scattering in a place meaningful to the family may be done if permitted by local regulations. Keep in mind however that future access to the area may be restricted because of development or other conditions which may arise. Once scattered, cremated remains cannot easily be retrieved. If scattering is desired, it is important to have this decision made known ahead of time to the person responsible for the scattering. Funeral homes do not participate in the scattering of cremated remains.
  
  

Generally speaking, the cost for a cremation service versus a traditional service is less. The expense for burial of cremated remains is less than for that of casketed remains. The vault cost, if a vault is required, is less for cremated remains than for casketed remains. Cost is also reduced by utilizing either an options casket or a rental casket. Because there are so many variables with cremation, we would need to know more precisely what the family desires before being able to give you an estimate of the costs involved.

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Personalization

All services we offer may be personalized and customized to help create a meaningful service which acknowledges and celebrates the life of your loved one. Suggestions for personalizing your service include:

• An obituary which not only contains biographical information but also contains information of a more personal nature such as favorite hobbies, community and/or church involvement, and professional accomplishments.
  
  
• A display of family pictures and photo albums which chronicle the life of the deceased.
  
  
• A display of personal mementos at the front of the chapel and around the casket.
  
  
• Music which includes a favorite song of the deceased or songs which were meaningful to the spouse and family.
  
  
• Service folders with a colored photo and favorite verse or poem.
  
  
• Floral pieces which incorporate a unique hobby or interest of the deceased.
  
  
• A eulogy which acknowledges the unique qualities of the person who died and affirms the significance their life had to those surviving. Often a family member can participate in this portion of the service.
  
  
• Use of a customized casket insert or panel which reflects an interest, a hobby, organization membership, or military service.

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Other Services

Direct Burial

The body is buried shortly after death with no viewing, visitation or funeral service. Embalming may not be necessary if no public visitation is desired. Costs for direct burial include the funeral home’s basic services fee, transportation and care of the body, purchase of a casket or burial container, outer liner or vault, and cemetery opening and closing fees. There is no additional cost involved if the family chooses to be at the cemetery for the burial.

Direct Cremation

The body is cremated shortly after death. No viewing or visitation is involved so embalming is not necessary. Costs for direct cremation include the funeral home’s basic services fee, transportation and care of the body, and crematory charges. Purchase of an urn and/or interment of cremated remains will add to the cost.

Acquisition of Remains from Another Facility

For those who wish remains shipped to Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home for final services and burial. Itemized options are available.

Direct Forwarding of Remains to Another Facility

For those who wish remains shipped to a funeral home out of town with no local services.

Graveside Services

For those who want a ground burial with a service only at the cemetery. Itemized options may be selected at the family’s discretion.

Headstones and Monuments

We act as agents for several monument companies and can assist you in choosing an appropriate monument or headstone for your gravesite.

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