8 Things to Consider When Hiring a Funeral Director or Mortuary

Funeral directors are caregivers and administrators. They make the arrangements for the transportation of the deceased, complete all necessary paperwork, and implement the choices that your family has made regarding the funeral and final disposition of your loved one. A mortuary is responsible for caring for and preparing the body for burial or cremation.

Choosing a funeral director and/or mortuary is a big decision that is often made during some of the most stressful days of your life. However, because all funeral directors and mortuaries are not the same, it’s important that you find the one that best fits your needs.

When looking into your options, here are some important things to consider:

1. Their fees - A funeral is often a family’s third-largest purchase, behind only buying a house or car. Because there can be a huge price difference from one funeral home to the next, it pays to shop around.‌
   ‌
   ‌Federal law requires funeral directors to provide pricing information to you. This law allows providers to charge a basic fee for overhead and the most common services that families require, and then additional fees for additional goods and services related to the final arrangements. Ask for a copy of their complete price list. If a mortuary cannot or will not provide this for you, they are in violation of federal law and you should go elsewhere.
2. Their goods, services and facilities – Do they offer the goods and services that you want? Are they able to maintain control of the remains at their own facility until the burial? For some families this is an important security issue. Does their facility have the amenities you need?
3. Their reputation – A good funeral director or mortuary will have positive reviews from their clients, and a positive reputation in the community. Ask friends and family if they have used this funeral home or funeral director in the past, and if they would recommend it to you.
4. Their ownership – Across the country, many of the mortuaries that were once family-owned and operated are now owned by a large national conglomerate. This means that their fees, policies and procedures are all determined by the corporate headquarters, not the people that you will be dealing with. If ownership is important to you, be sure to ask about it. Olive Tree Mortuary is family-owned and operated, which allows us to set affordable fees and provide caring, personalized service for you.
5. Their credentials – Are they properly licensed? Do they hold any certifications? Do they belong to any of the professional organizations in their field, such as the National Funeral Directors Association? These things will help you see what they have done to become a funeral director, and what they are doing to keep up with industry trends and news.
6. How they treat you – Do you feel comfortable with the funeral director? Do they offer a caring approach? Are they compassionate and respectful of you, your beliefs, your culture and your lifestyle? Are they good listeners? Do you feel like they understand what you want and are committed to helping you make it happen? Do they respect the fact that this funeral is all about the deceased, you and your family’s needs, and keep their own ego out of the discussion?
   ‌
   ‌In addition, at your time of grief, the last thing you need is a mortuary that subjects you to high-pressure sales. If the funeral director makes you feel pressured to buy something more expensive than what you have chosen, or purchase services that you don’t want, fire them and go elsewhere.
7. How helpful they are – If your loved one did not preplan their funeral, a good funeral director will help you understand your choices for all of the decisions that must be made.
8. Their experience in the type of funeral you want – Some funeral directors or mortuaries specialize in a particular type of funeral, such as military funerals or Jewish funerals. Others, like Olive Tree Mortuary, have extensive experience and expertise with a wide variety of funeral types, including religious funerals, traditional funerals, military honors funerals, innovative funerals and memorial services.
   ‌
   ‌In addition, keep in mind that if you have specific religious or cultural needs, it is important to work with a funeral director who has experience preparing a funeral according to these customs. At Olive Tree Mortuary we have a deep understanding of the Muslim and Jewish burial and funeral traditions and can handle immediate burials to accommodate these traditions.

Even if the cemetery that you have chosen operates their own mortuary, you are not obligated to use it. By shopping around you can get both the best value and the best match for your needs.