Children need to know that it is healthy to talk about death. Encourage open dialogue and the freedom to express opinions and feelings. Don’t be afraid to answer questions with “I don’t know the answer, but I’ll get back to you on that.” Consistent attention from caregivers and time are also important to help children come to terms with their loss. It’s a good idea to find out what your child already knows and validate any feelings he or she may express. Then tell the story simply and honestly.

Explain how you might feel when your pet dies—sad, mad, confused—and that it is OK to cry or want to talk or need time alone. Children learn by example, so don’t hide your own feelings. Showing your own grief gives children permission to show theirs, while holding grief back may inadvertently teach children to suppress their own sad feelings. You may also want to explain that while remembering your pet’s life, it is normal to also laugh at funny stories.

Many report that setting aside some special time to acknowledge the loss, pay tribute and share memories is helpful. Whether you have a funeral or a ritual of your own making, encourage children to participate. They may find drawing pictures, writing stories or putting together a collage or scrapbook a positive way to express their emotions.

Unlike funeral homes and mortuaries that are part of large corporate organizations, funeral homes that are owned by people who are part of their communities.  Indeed, independent ownership is a primary criteria of membership in this organization. Most members of Selected Independent Funeral Homes are families that have been caring for friends and neighbors for generations.

If local ownership and knowledge of local traditions are important to you, you should ask who owns and operates the funeral home you are considering.

Watson-North Funeral Home, Cremation Center & Memorial Park is a family owned and operated funeral home that strives to provide superior services to the local and surrounding counites of Franklin County.  For more information on our funeral home, please visit us online at www.watsonnorth.com.

Visit us online at www.watsonnorth.com to find out more information on our services.  If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at (931) 967-2345.

• Get as much information as possible about the options available. If you choose to pre-pay, ask for a specific list of those items that are included as well as those that are not.
• Get everything in writing and in detail. Like many contracts, details can become unclear over time if only a general agreement is made. This step may solve a lot of difficulties for your family in the future.
• Check to see if the payment agreement can be made now with money delivered later. In some areas, consumers are allowed to make the funeral home a beneficiary of life insurance meant to cover this particular service.
• Check to see if the funeral home puts the money in a trust or escrow upon pre-payment. An affirmative answer is usually a sign that the funeral home is a reputable provider of pre-planning services.
• Talk to your family!

2. When a death occurs, call your funeral director immediately. Regardless of the day or time, funeral directors are always prepared to respond to your needs quickly and competently, and to guide you through the array of choices that need to be made.

If possible, try to make planning a funeral a joint effort with other family members or very close friends. Working together can sometimes decrease stress and further enable the healing process. Many decisions listed below can be best made by several people, with consideration of the deceased’s wishes.

3. Call your funeral director. Your funeral director is one of your most important contacts during this process, so feel free to ask any questions or make special requests that will add meaning. to the funeral service.

4. What to expect from the funeral director. No matter what your funeral preferences, your funeral director can help you with every aspect of the funeral process. Among other things, your funeral director can:

• Arrange the funeral plans
• Help notify friends and family
• Secure necessary permits and death certificates
• Take care of the body
• Coordinate all details with the clergy
• Help in the arranging for burial or cremation
• Notify your attorney if you need legal help
• Help secure any benefits to which you may be entitled
• Follow up after the funeral, providing both practical help in adjusting to your loss

5. Informing family, friends and associates. You may provide a list of friends, family and associates you would like the funeral director to contact to inform them of the death and the arrangements. It is also acceptable for you to ask friends, family and associates to contact others to inform them of the death and funeral plans.

6. The funeral ceremony represents a purposeful opportunity to reflect on a life that has been lived and to honor the memory of that life for family and friends. There is no single proper funeral service, but as with any other significant event in a person’s life, the funeral is usually conducted according to the personal and religious practices of the deceased. Generally, a funeral gathering is held in a funeral home or a place of worship. The funeral service usually includes the presence of the body. If the body is not present, the ceremony is referred to as a memorial service.

Whether you choose to burial, entombment, cremation, you may arrange either a memorial or funeral service. It is often customary to have a period of visitation or a reception at the funeral home. During this time, the casket may be open or closed according to the family’s preferences. Some families opt to receive friends at their home or other location.

Your funeral director can guide you through the wide range of decisions that have to be made. Those decisions include choosing a casket, vault or urn; the type of service; who will preside and a method for people to express their sympathy, such as flowers or donations to a favorite charity.

As many guests attending the funeral may not be of the same religious affiliation, be prepared to respond to questions regarding the funeral, remembrances and mourning period.

7. Reading of the will. Following the funeral, family members or legal executor will meet with the deceased’s attorney or with the funeral director for the reading of the will. It is usual for the executor of the will to schedule the reading and to invite the participants.

For more information on this information, please give us a call at Watson-North Funeral Home at (931) 967-2345 or visit us online at www.watsonnorth.com.