FAQ's
#1 What is a funeral or cremation service, and how does it differ from a funeral home?
Answer: Serenity Gardens Funeral and Cremation Services offers all the same services as a funeral home. The difference is Serenity Gardens is not attached to a permanent infrastructure, yet it conducts it services from leasing space from a funeral home. The difference is equivalent to renting in lieu of purchasing a home. An apartment offers all the same amenities and obligations as purchasing a home, but you are not the owner. In essence you would receive all the same services and options offered at a funeral home if you decided to utilize Serenity Gardens.
#2 How much does a funeral cost?
Answer: The cost of a funeral depends entirely on your wishes for the funeral. Funeral costs are comprised of professional services and fees, casket costs, cemetery or cremations fees, and cash advanced charges such as: flowers, obituaries, limousines, death certificates, etc. Personalizing a funeral is also a factor in the cost. While we have many options to help you memorialize your loved one in a meaningful way, those options all have costs attached.
#3 How do I make funeral arrangements?
Answer: You can call (708) 357-4800 to make an appointment or plan it online. We offer this service free of charge, and without obligation.
#4 Can I purchase a funeral on a payment plan?
Answer: You can pre-arrange a funeral service prior to the death of a love one. This will allow the family the opportunity to pay for the selected goods and services over time. Serenity Gardens does not accept payment plans for at-need funeral services.
#5 What is a pre-arranged funeral?
Answer: A pre-arranged funeral is a funeral arrangement made prior to death. You can pre-arrange your own funeral or you can pre-arrange a funeral for a loved one. Pre-arrangement is a way for you to make sure your life is celebrated in a way that is meaningful to you. It also relieves your loved ones of the burden of arranging a funeral and any financial obligations.
#6 What type of funeral service should I have?
Answer: The answer to that depends on your final wishes. A funeral service can be open to the public or accessible by invitation only. You can choose to have funeral service and burial, funeral service followed by a cremation or direct cremation and memorial service. The funeral service can be a large or a small one. You set the guidelines for the type of funeral you would like to have.
Perhaps you want something completely out-of-the-ordinary, and that’s possible too. Our funeral directors are trained to provide you with support and guidance to help you plan a funeral that truly reflects your needs and desires.
#7 Can I personalize my funeral service?
Answer: Yes, we believe that each funeral should reflect the life of the deceased – and no two people are the same. We encourage you to let us know exactly how you want your loved one to be remembered, and we will do our best to create a ceremony that will truly celebrate the life lived.
#8 Why should we have a public viewing?
Answer: Not every tradition encourages a public viewing, but we believe that they serve a purpose. In making a viewing part of your funeral service, you provide a certain amount of closure to all in attendance. This isn’t just our opinion; studies show that viewing the body helps everyone recognize the reality of death which is an important stepping stone in the grieving process.
#9 What should I do if a death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend?
Answer: If a death occurs in the middle of the night or the weekend call us at (708) 357-4800. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you need immediate assistance, one of our funeral directors will be there.
#10 What should I do if a death occurs while away from home?
Answer: It’s comforting to know that our funeral directors can help you no matter where a death has occurred. We’ll take care of everything from bringing your loved one back home; to helping you arrange the service. All you need to do is call us at (708) 357-4800, and we will take care of the rest.
#11 What happens if I have a problem with how a funeral was handled?
Answer: If we handled the arrangements, then call us at (708) 357-4800. We will do everything we can to resolve the issue. We take pride in caring for the families who trust us during this difficult time.
#12 Why do we need an obituary notice?
Answer: An obituary notice is helpful for friends and family of the deceased. It informs them that a death has occurred and gives them information about the service. Obituaries can be placed in newspapers and online.
#13 What is included in an obituary?
Answer: A basic obituary includes the deceased’s full name, age, date of birth, city and state they were living in when they passed away. It should also include the name of the deceased’s significant other, and the date, time and place of the viewing, burial, wake and memorial service. If you don't have this information yet, you can always write something such as, "Funeral arrangements are being made by the funeral home and will be announced at a later date."
You may wish to add additional details, such as the names of any children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, parents, other close relatives or special friends. You may wish to write about the deceased’s life, accomplishments and legacy. You may suggest preferred charities for memorial contributions and let people know if you would rather not receive flowers.
#14 What is embalming?
Answer: Embalming is the temporary disinfection, preservation, and restoration of the body. During the embalming process, the body is washed and dressed and cosmetics are applied.
#15 Is embalming necessary?
Answer: If the body has to be transported to a country that requires embalming, then yes, it is necessary. Otherwise the decision is up to you. Some religious traditions forbid embalming. If your religion allows it, we recommend embalming if there is a long wait before burial or cremation
#16 What is involved in cremation?
Answer: The casket or container is placed in the cremation chamber where the temperature reaches 1,400-1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. After approximately 2.5 hours, all organic material is consumed by heat and evaporation, and the bone fragments are left behind. These are known as the cremated remains, which are then carefully removed from the chamber and processed into fine particles to be placed in a container or urn for the family.
#17 Do I need a casket if I choose cremation?
Answer: No, you do not need to purchase a traditional casket. But, for sanitary reasons, crematories usually require a combustible, leak-proof, covered container. Commonly, a relatively-inexpensive cardboard cremation container is all you need to purchase. However there are other, more elegant options available as well.
#18 Can I have a visitation period and a funeral service if cremation is chosen?
Answer: Yes, we encourage families to have a gathering – whether it’s a simple visitation, or a more elaborate funeral or memorial service – to support the bereaved and allow an opportunity for closure.
#19 What can be done with the cremated remains?
Answer: The cremated remains can be interred in a cemetery plot or retained by a family member -- usually in an urn or scattered on private property. There are also elegant ways to memorialize a loved one using small amounts of the cremated remains, including art glass, oil paintings, and man-made diamonds. Or you can take a small amount of the cremated remains to include in a piece of cremation jewelry. Please contact us for urns, cremation keepsakes and jewelry selections.
#20: What forms of payment does Serenity Gardens accept?
Answer: Serenity Gardens accepts the following payments:
Cash
Cashier’s check
Money orders
Credit cards (transaction fee implemented)
Valid insurance policies (over two years old)
Public Aide (in rare cases)
Personal checks (must be received 4 business days prior to the day of service; business days are Monday – Friday)
Chase Pay
PayPal
Answer: Serenity Gardens Funeral and Cremation Services offers all the same services as a funeral home. The difference is Serenity Gardens is not attached to a permanent infrastructure, yet it conducts it services from leasing space from a funeral home. The difference is equivalent to renting in lieu of purchasing a home. An apartment offers all the same amenities and obligations as purchasing a home, but you are not the owner. In essence you would receive all the same services and options offered at a funeral home if you decided to utilize Serenity Gardens.
#2 How much does a funeral cost?
Answer: The cost of a funeral depends entirely on your wishes for the funeral. Funeral costs are comprised of professional services and fees, casket costs, cemetery or cremations fees, and cash advanced charges such as: flowers, obituaries, limousines, death certificates, etc. Personalizing a funeral is also a factor in the cost. While we have many options to help you memorialize your loved one in a meaningful way, those options all have costs attached.
#3 How do I make funeral arrangements?
Answer: You can call (708) 357-4800 to make an appointment or plan it online. We offer this service free of charge, and without obligation.
#4 Can I purchase a funeral on a payment plan?
Answer: You can pre-arrange a funeral service prior to the death of a love one. This will allow the family the opportunity to pay for the selected goods and services over time. Serenity Gardens does not accept payment plans for at-need funeral services.
#5 What is a pre-arranged funeral?
Answer: A pre-arranged funeral is a funeral arrangement made prior to death. You can pre-arrange your own funeral or you can pre-arrange a funeral for a loved one. Pre-arrangement is a way for you to make sure your life is celebrated in a way that is meaningful to you. It also relieves your loved ones of the burden of arranging a funeral and any financial obligations.
#6 What type of funeral service should I have?
Answer: The answer to that depends on your final wishes. A funeral service can be open to the public or accessible by invitation only. You can choose to have funeral service and burial, funeral service followed by a cremation or direct cremation and memorial service. The funeral service can be a large or a small one. You set the guidelines for the type of funeral you would like to have.
Perhaps you want something completely out-of-the-ordinary, and that’s possible too. Our funeral directors are trained to provide you with support and guidance to help you plan a funeral that truly reflects your needs and desires.
#7 Can I personalize my funeral service?
Answer: Yes, we believe that each funeral should reflect the life of the deceased – and no two people are the same. We encourage you to let us know exactly how you want your loved one to be remembered, and we will do our best to create a ceremony that will truly celebrate the life lived.
#8 Why should we have a public viewing?
Answer: Not every tradition encourages a public viewing, but we believe that they serve a purpose. In making a viewing part of your funeral service, you provide a certain amount of closure to all in attendance. This isn’t just our opinion; studies show that viewing the body helps everyone recognize the reality of death which is an important stepping stone in the grieving process.
#9 What should I do if a death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend?
Answer: If a death occurs in the middle of the night or the weekend call us at (708) 357-4800. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you need immediate assistance, one of our funeral directors will be there.
#10 What should I do if a death occurs while away from home?
Answer: It’s comforting to know that our funeral directors can help you no matter where a death has occurred. We’ll take care of everything from bringing your loved one back home; to helping you arrange the service. All you need to do is call us at (708) 357-4800, and we will take care of the rest.
#11 What happens if I have a problem with how a funeral was handled?
Answer: If we handled the arrangements, then call us at (708) 357-4800. We will do everything we can to resolve the issue. We take pride in caring for the families who trust us during this difficult time.
#12 Why do we need an obituary notice?
Answer: An obituary notice is helpful for friends and family of the deceased. It informs them that a death has occurred and gives them information about the service. Obituaries can be placed in newspapers and online.
#13 What is included in an obituary?
Answer: A basic obituary includes the deceased’s full name, age, date of birth, city and state they were living in when they passed away. It should also include the name of the deceased’s significant other, and the date, time and place of the viewing, burial, wake and memorial service. If you don't have this information yet, you can always write something such as, "Funeral arrangements are being made by the funeral home and will be announced at a later date."
You may wish to add additional details, such as the names of any children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, parents, other close relatives or special friends. You may wish to write about the deceased’s life, accomplishments and legacy. You may suggest preferred charities for memorial contributions and let people know if you would rather not receive flowers.
#14 What is embalming?
Answer: Embalming is the temporary disinfection, preservation, and restoration of the body. During the embalming process, the body is washed and dressed and cosmetics are applied.
#15 Is embalming necessary?
Answer: If the body has to be transported to a country that requires embalming, then yes, it is necessary. Otherwise the decision is up to you. Some religious traditions forbid embalming. If your religion allows it, we recommend embalming if there is a long wait before burial or cremation
#16 What is involved in cremation?
Answer: The casket or container is placed in the cremation chamber where the temperature reaches 1,400-1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. After approximately 2.5 hours, all organic material is consumed by heat and evaporation, and the bone fragments are left behind. These are known as the cremated remains, which are then carefully removed from the chamber and processed into fine particles to be placed in a container or urn for the family.
#17 Do I need a casket if I choose cremation?
Answer: No, you do not need to purchase a traditional casket. But, for sanitary reasons, crematories usually require a combustible, leak-proof, covered container. Commonly, a relatively-inexpensive cardboard cremation container is all you need to purchase. However there are other, more elegant options available as well.
#18 Can I have a visitation period and a funeral service if cremation is chosen?
Answer: Yes, we encourage families to have a gathering – whether it’s a simple visitation, or a more elaborate funeral or memorial service – to support the bereaved and allow an opportunity for closure.
#19 What can be done with the cremated remains?
Answer: The cremated remains can be interred in a cemetery plot or retained by a family member -- usually in an urn or scattered on private property. There are also elegant ways to memorialize a loved one using small amounts of the cremated remains, including art glass, oil paintings, and man-made diamonds. Or you can take a small amount of the cremated remains to include in a piece of cremation jewelry. Please contact us for urns, cremation keepsakes and jewelry selections.
#20: What forms of payment does Serenity Gardens accept?
Answer: Serenity Gardens accepts the following payments:
Cash
Cashier’s check
Money orders
Credit cards (transaction fee implemented)
Valid insurance policies (over two years old)
Public Aide (in rare cases)
Personal checks (must be received 4 business days prior to the day of service; business days are Monday – Friday)
Chase Pay
PayPal