The death of a loved one is perhaps the most difficult time a person faces. You are almost never prepared for it, but being familiar with the process, the facts and getting to know Barlow-Bonsall can make the transition much easier. You should always feel free to ask questions and discuss all options with us. We are a community resource you can rely on and trust.
Wise decision-making starts with knowing the facts.

Funeral arrangements Frequently Asked Questions.

Who should you call if a loved one dies?
What should you consider when selecting a funeral home?
What is the funeral director's role?
How much does a funeral cost?
What type of financial assistance is available to help with funeral costs?
Is it important to have a ceremony?
What options exist for the final care (disposition) of my loved one?
What is embalming?
What is cremation?
What types of feelings are normal after the death of a loved one?

Frequently Asked Questions about cremation.

Is there a mandatory waiting period before cremation?
Can I witness the cremation of a loved one?
Should I bring pictures to the service?
Can I have personalized memorial folders with my own verses and Order of Service?
Must I purchase an urn?
Do the size and material of cremation urns vary?
What if I want to make these arrangements and move to another state or what if something would happen to me while traveling?
What are cremation and the processing of remains?
What are the options after cremation is completed?
Must a casket be purchased for cremation?
Are there special caskets for cremation?
Can we have a time for family and friends?

General Frequently Asked Questions

Has your firm been sold to a big national conglomerate?
Should my choice of options be recorded at the funeral home and why?
 

Funeral arrangements Frequently Asked Questions.

Who should you call if a loved one dies? Top of page

One of the first calls should be to us at Barlow-Bonsall. We will offer you guidance during this difficult time and help you prepare for the many details that will need attention.

We can be called at anytime, day or night, including holidays. If a death occurs away from home, please call us. We can arrange the necessary preparation and transportation details for you whether you are around the corner, across the country or around the world.

What should you consider when selecting a funeral home? Top of page

Give thought to this decision just as you would when selecting any professional to handle something important for you. Choose a funeral home that has a good reputation in the community. If you are unfamiliar with the funeral homes in your area, ask a relative, friend, clergy person, doctor or hospice worker for a recommendation. Barlow-Bonsall is ready and willing to provide you with quality, professional services, just as it has since 1875.

You should consider meeting with us in advance to determine the range of services offered at a cost that meets your needs.

What is the funeral director's role? Top of page

At Barlow-Bonsall, we will help coordinate all the details during this important and difficult transition time in your life. Most importantly, we will assist you in planning a personal and meaningful ceremony to help you begin the healing process.

We can offer aftercare services or can make referrals to support groups or bereavement counselors in the community to help you work through grief, if needed.

How much does a funeral cost? Top of page

Funeral costs will vary greatly depending on the services and merchandise selections made. Under Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations, funeral directors must provide a general price list of itemized costs of all options offered by their funeral home at the time arrangements are first discussed or over the telephone if a consumer inquires about the cost of a funeral. All costs should be clearly explained and understood, and you should only be charged for those services used.

Consumers have control of how much they spend, and we will work to meet your personal wishes and stay within your financial means.

What type of financial assistance is available to help with funeral costs? Top of page

Barlow-Bonsall can help determine whether or not you're qualified for financial assistance. Potential resources include Social Security, veteran's benefits, union or employer pension funds, life and accident insurance policies, worker's compensation and fraternal order or professional group benefits. We will help secure certified death certificates to help you claim these benefits.

Is it important to have a ceremony? Top of page

Experts say meaningful ceremonies provide closure for the bereaved. Barlow-Bonsall offers a variety of ceremony or service choices to begin the grieving process such as public or private funerals, memorial or graveside services, family viewing, calling hours and/or visitations. Ceremonies should reflect the loved one's wishes as well as the needs and desires of the family.

Children, like adults, need to share their grief and should be welcome during the planning stages and ceremony.

What options exist for the final care (disposition) of my loved one? Top of page

Disposition refers to the final care of a loved one's body. Options include earth burial, entombment, cremation or anatomical gifts. Cremation remains can be buried, scattered or kept by the family. A meaningful ceremony can accompany any method of disposition chosen.

What is embalming? Top of page

Embalming is the use of chemicals to sanitize and temporarily preserve the body for public viewing or transfer via common carrier such as an airline. Embalming is not required in all states, but the FTC requires that funeral homes explain in writing the reason embalming may be necessary.

What is cremation? Top of page

Cremation is the process of incinerating the body of the deceased. It is defined as a rapid rate of oxidation accelerated by intense heat. The cremation process starts with the deceased body being placed into a combustible cremation casket and then placed into the cremation chamber. The body is totally by heat and flame. The heat ranges from 1700 to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. The cremation process takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete. The cremated remains will weigh approximately 6-8 pounds. Following the cooling down period, every effort is made to remove all cremated remains. All non-combustible materials are separated and removed from the bone fragments with a magnetic device. The bone fragments are then put through a pulverizing process making them the consistency for placement into an urn or other container. There are many cremation options.

Barlow-Bonsall is one of the only crematorium in the Kanwaha Valley and Southern West Virginia area. As the region's leading authority on cremation, we have prepared extensive information for those that wish to know more about this popular option.

What types of feelings are normal after the death of a loved one? Top of page

There are many factors that will affect the intensity of your grief. Common emotional reactions to death include feelings of anger, guilt, depression and helplessness, and being consumed with thoughts about your loved one. Physical reactions may include weight loss, difficulty sleeping, irritability, or listlessness, and feeling short of breath.

Grief is a necessary part of healing and is something that must be worked through at your own pace.

Frequently Asked Questions about cremation.

Is there a mandatory waiting period before cremation? Top of page

No. In West Virginia there is no waiting period after death before cremation of human remains may take place. All cremations in West Virginia must first be authorized by the State Medical Examiner where the death occurred and the death certificate signed.

Can I witness the cremation of a loved one? Top of page

Yes. Although not all crematories offer this service, you may witness the cremation casket or container being placed into the cremation chamber. You must advise your arranger of your desire to witness the placement. We may require you to sign a waiver or a "hold-harmless agreement" to protect us from any liability. Our crematorium requires that a family member, friend, or designated person view the deceased before we cremate.

Should I bring pictures to the service? Top of page

Barlow-Bonsall encourages the use of framed pictures and family albums at services. We have found that family and friends find comfort in the memories that pictures bring back.

Can I have personalized memorial folders with my own verses and Order of Service? Top of page

Yes! Barlow-Bonsall has a professional printer on call to customize your memorial at no extra cost.

Must I purchase an urn? Top of page

No. However, you should select an urn in which the cremated remains may be placed. If no urn is selected or the urn is not large enough to hold all the remains, we will place the remains or any excess in a container made of plastic, light metal, cardboard or other suitable material to temporarily hold the remains until an urn is selected.

Do the size and material of cremation urns vary? Top of page

Yes. The standard size cremation urns are designed to contain between 200 and 300 cubic inches of cremated remains. However, many are also available in smaller sizes. A smaller size urn would be appropriate for families who choose to have the remains divided among family members. Another option when dividing remains is for the family to retain a portion in a smaller urn and bury, entomb, or scatter the balance of the remains. There are a variety of smaller urns specifically designed to fill this need.

Several urns are available in both standard and smaller sizes and we will be happy to talk with you about your specific requests.

Burial or entombment in a mausoleum or columbarium niche provides a permanent place for memorialization; or, the balance of the cremated remains may be scattered in a meaningful location. A tree could be planted in remembrance. Any of these options provides a place of pilgrimage for those who want to remember and celebrate the life of a loved one.

What if I want to make these arrangements and move to another state or what if something would happen to me while traveling? Top of page

The West Virginia Legislature and State Attorney General's Office have legislated that pre-arrangement monies shall be placed in an irrevocable trust account. This trust is overseen by the Attorney General's office and is not to be used until the time of need by the crematorium that performs the service. This means that wherever you go, Barlow-Bonsall and the State of West Virginia insure that your final arrangements will be taken care of.

What are cremation and the processing of remains? Top of page

The cremation process begins with the placement of the cremation casket or container in the cremation chamber where it is subjected to intense flame and heat reaching temperatures of 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. At our firm's crematory all cremations are performed individually. All substances are consumed except bone fragments. Calcium compounds and any non-combustible materials (such as jewelry, dental gold, prostheses, latches, hinges, etc., not removed prior to cremation) will remain, as temperature is not sufficient to consume them.

Usually, cremation is completed in two to three hours. Following a cooling period, cremated remains are removed from the cremation chamber.

Using visual or magnetic selection all non-combustible materials will be separated and removed from bone fragments and disposed of by the crematory staff in a non-recoverable manner.

Cremated remains will weigh 4 to 8 pounds and are usually white in color, but can be other colors due to temperature variations and other factors. After cremation and processing, our professional crematory staff will place the cremated remains or any excess into the urn you have selected or a temporary container.

What are the options after cremation is completed? Top of page

The urn or container containing the cremated remains will be returned to you or the party you have designated on the cremation authorization form. If you and/or other family members have not already chosen a final resting place for the cremated remains, you may wish to consult us on the many options available. These options include:

If scattering is done, you may wish to choose a site for permanent memorial, such as placing the name of the deceased in a Book of Remembrance or on a Plaque of Remembrance. These would provide a place of pilgrimage for those who want to remember and celebrate the life of the loved one.

Must a casket be purchased for cremation? Top of page

No. You are not required to purchase a casket for cremation. For sanitary reasons and easy placement of the deceased into the cremation chamber, our crematory does have minimum requirements. If a casket is not being used, the body must be cremated in a combustible, leak-proof, rigid, covered container. We refer to this as an alternate container or cremation casket.

Are there special caskets for cremation? Top of page

Yes. We offer a choice of very affordable special cremation caskets that are completely combustible. You may also select from a variety of wood caskets. Our crematory rules and regulations do not permit the use of a metal casket.

Can we have a time for family and friends? Top of page

Yes. If you select a service with a time for friends and family, a Cremation Casket and preparatory care would be appropriate. See our thirteen options for suggestions on the type of service that would best meet your wishes.


General Frequently Asked Questions