Professional Service Fees

The total cost of the funeral goods and services is arrived at by the addition of a number of separate items:

Professional Services

The fee for service of the funeral director and staff includes, but is not limited to, responding to an initial request for services; professional consultation with family or their designee(s) responsible for death care; preparation of biographical and vital statistical information; filing of necessary authorizations and permits; coordination of staff prior to, during, and after the funeral, including working with those providing key services at the crematory, cemetery and other parties involved in the final disposition of the deceased; completing the funeral in accordance with the service preferences in a respectful and dignified manner.  Also included in the charge are overhead expenses relative to our business such insurance, utility expenses, secretarial and administrative costs, an equipment and inventory costs.  

Additional professional services will vary according to your requirements and include such items as embalming and other body preparation and, or sheltering of remains.  Except in certain special cases, embalming is not required by law. Embalming may be necessary, however, if you select certain funeral arrangements, such as a family or public viewing.  If you do not want embalming, you usually have the right to choose an arrangement that does not require you to pay for it, such as immediate burial or direct cremation. Preparation of embalmed remains includes restoration, cosmetology, and dressing.

Facilities, Equipment and Staff

This fee includes use of the funeral chapel for private or public visitation and viewing, funeral ceremony, and memorial services.  Equipment and staff may also be provided for home wakes, graveside services, church services and memorial services outside the funeral home.  These itemized expenses will be dictated by the services selected.

Transportation

Transportation fees include the transfer of the deceased from place of death to  the funeral home. Other vehicles used in the funeral service may include the use of a hearse, limousine, flower car and lead vehicle.

Additional services

These charges will vary depending on requests authorized by the next of kin or family representative. 

Merchandise

The price of the casket, urn, or burial vault will vary depending on your choice from the range available.  Other merchandise selected may include  acknowledgement cards, register books, prayer cards, portraits, video tributes, flag cases, clothes, and memorial items.

Special Charges

These fee are inclusive fees for services such as forwarding or receiving of remains from another funeral home.  They may also include all professional services for an immediate burial or direct cremation.

Cash Advances

These are fees for disbursements payable by the funeral home on your behalf. These fees paid are not controlled by the funeral director.  These payments include: certified copies of death certificates, church honorariums, musicians, cemetery fees and crematory fees, paid obituaries, and other outside costs.. 

Olson & Parent Funeral Home does not charge for obtaining these items in addition to the actual costs required.

If any law, crematory or cemetery requirements have required the purchase of any item not specifically requested, the funeral director will explain the requirement or the particular law on the Statement of Funeral Goods and Services Selected form.