WHY DO WE HAVE FUNERALS?

The funeral has been around for well over 60,000 years - it was not invented by today's funeral directors. Archaeologists have found in their studies of the Shanidar Tribe of Iraq that prehistoric man practiced some form of memorialization and funeralization. Throughout history, the funeral has had a strong social value, bringing together groups, families and sometimes entire nations to aid in the resolution of grief and the re-examination of social positions.

It is important to recognize that funerals are for the living...for those who will suffer the trauma of losing a loved one. It is through the funeral process and beyond that a number of emotional needs are met for those who grieve.

There is no "right" way to bury someone you love, no perfect funeral plan. In the long run, the choices you make matter much less than the reasons behind your choices. At L. Harold Poole Funeral Service and Crematory we recognize those reasons are deeply personal. We can offer suggestions to help you in your planning, but only you can decide what will make your loved ones funeral service give you comfort while appropriately honoring their memory.

A funeral is similar to other ceremonies in our lives. Like a graduation ceremony, a wedding or a baptism, a funeral is a rite of passage by which we recognize an important event that distinquishes our lives.

The funeral declares that a death has occurred; it commemorates the life that has been lived, and offers family and friends the opportunity to pay tribute to their loved one and begin the grief healing process.

WHEN DEATH OCCURS

Call L. Harold Poole Funeral Service and Crematory right away, even if death occurs during the night or away from home. Our assistance and guidance will be extremely valuable to you, especially if you are faced with the added difficulty of making initial arrangements from a distance.

You and your L. Harold Poole Funeral Service and Crematory Funeral Director will need to plan the funeral carefully to make sure it expresses your wishes. Include your clergyperson in the planning from the start. If you don't belong to a church but want a religious funeral, we can suggest a clergyperson to officiate.

Several decisions will have to be made concerning various funeral details, including final disposition options. We, at L. Harold Poole Funeral Service and Crematory are here to help guide you through each one including, however not limited to:  

   *  Help you choose the place, type
      and time for the visitation,
      service and various other
      arrangements.

   *  Secure vital information for
      the filing of the death
      certificate.

   *  Help you select a casket,
      outer burial container, urn,
      memorial stone, marker, flowers,
      or other items.

   *  Help with necessary paperwork,
      including obituary notices and
      a variety of government, social
      security, VA and other benefit
      claim forms.

   *  Advise on final disposition
      options such as Earth Burial,
      Entombment, Cremation, Direct
      disposition, Burial at Sea, etc.

   *  Advise you about other decisions
      to be made, such as pallbearers
      and arranging for flowers.

   *  Arrange for aftercare services
      to help you through the grieving
      process.
     
We are always here for you and would be happy to answer any questions you may have. To reach us simply click on the Contact Us icon.