Questions

Picha Funeral Home, Locally Owned and Operated

Providing Friendly, Courteous and Dignified Funeral Service

I have assembled an array of true questions, answers and concerns that you may also have!

Can I make funeral arrangements without paying anything? Yes. The primary purpose of making prearrangements is to let others know what your wishes are upon the time of your passing. This also allows the provision of important information that otherwise might not be known.

Can I choose my own casket before I die? Yes. This is another advantage of making prearrangements. You can choose your casket, burial vault, memorial cards with your own special verse, favorite flowers, musical selections, whatever you would like.

When I die, I want to have this done... Your wishes and desires will be honored to the best of our abilities. You may have certain, special concerns that you want carried out. I will see to it that these details are followed through.

This is my profession and I will try to make everything as pleasant and trouble free for you as I possibly can. If there are any questions or concerns, please let me know. It is my duty to provide suggestions and options so you may make informed decisions. I will guide you but I will refrain from leading you. I will help you but I won't take advantage of you.

If I put money down for my funeral expenses, where does the money go? This is an excellent question. Different funeral homes do this in different ways. At this funeral home, all the funeral costs and expenses are calculated to cover everything. Funds in the form of a check to cover these costs are written to the bank of your choice and accompanied by an Irrevocable Funeral Trust Agreement which is a legal document. The money is applied into an interest bearing certificate of deposit (C.D.) and held by the funeral home. After the paperwork is processed, you will receive two copies of the trust agreement, the bank retains a copy and the funeral home has the other one. You will also receive statements from the bank to reflect this account. This procedure provides the best benefit for you and eliminates any kind of deceptive practice. The C.D. cannot be remitted without a certified death certificate. If this is being done to comply with S.S.I. or Medicare, there are certain criteria that have to be followed, but is essentially the same.

What happens to the accumulated interest from the C.D.? The fact that the C.D. is interest bearing serves one primary purpose, which is to offset inflation and price increases. Although, if the accumulated interest is more than the actual funeral costs at the time of need, these funds will not be retained by this funeral home. The money will be returned to the estate or family, whichever is applicable.

How often are there price increases? The biggest influence of price changes are the manufacturers of caskets, vaults and other merchandise and this is generally once a year. But, by having a prefunded funeral arrangement, your cost and prices are frozen and will not increase.

I have made prearrangements and prefunded my funeral service with a different funeral home. Things have changed and I would like you to take care of my services. Can this be done? Yes, this is a simple procedure. First of all, the funds that have been put into place for your services are still "your" funds and you maintain control of them. By that, you can choose a different funeral home to provide the goods and services. There is a form which is in accordance with Wisconsin State statutes for just this purpose. After this is filled out it only requires your signature and that of a witness. The funds at the bank can remain undisturbed and there are no penalties. The details of your service and merchandise can be discussed as well.

I want to be cremated but I would like to have a visitation with viewing. Is this possible?

Yes it is. The deceased will be embalmed, dressed and casketed so others may pay their last respects in a proper, dignified manner. After the services, if a rental casket is used, the body is removed from the casket and the cremation will follow.

What do you mean "rental casket? Some people have concerns that it doesn't make sense to burn a casket and it is also quite expensive. For the purpose of viewing the deceased during a visitation and funeral service to be followed by cremation, I have available a wooden casket for just this reason. Whereas the interior of the casket is removable and allows me to provide "new" material that the deceased will be in contact with. The exterior, or wooden part of the casket is reused. This also provides a substantial financial savings as well.

Can we have a cremation without any services? This is referred to as "direct cremation" and having services are not necessary or required. This is a choice or option that can be made.

You don’t flick the lights when we're supposed to leave do you? Of course not. The decision to leave is left up to the family and other mourners when they are ready. I feel that this is a special and important time for people to be together and it would be unduly cruel and insensitive of me or any one to do something like that.

There have been some television shows on that create distrust toward funeral directors. What do you say about this? I'm glad there are spotlights put on the troublemakers that cause these concerns. As with any kind of position that violates trust and honesty, which in my opinion is the most important, this should be dealt with harshly. I can only say for myself that I treat people the way I prefer to be treated.

Are your caskets and other merchandise really expensive? In order to stay in business I have to maintain a certain level of profit. And profit is not a bad word. I also maintain a conscientious level of being fair and offer quality merchandise to provide the best value for the consumer. Of the goods that I do provide, I offer a wide range of prices to accommodate everyone's financial means. I try to keep my prices competitive if not lower than others do. I try to provide exceptional service as well.

What are your feelings about your job? First and foremost, this is not a job. This is my chosen "way of life". I consider it an honor and privilege to take care of another persons loved one. As a Christian I believe that the deceased as we know them is not alive any longer, but alive with God. They are in a better place that we refer to as Heaven.

Please let me know if you have any other questions, concerns or comments.

Member of National Funeral Directors Association and Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association.

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Last Modified: Saturday, October 17, 2009