Autopsy, funeral, burial arrangements and cremation
If you have questions about the cause of death, please feel free to discuss these
with your doctor. You have the right to request an autopsy. If you would like
to have an autopsy performed, ask your doctor as soon as possible. If your doctor
believes the cause of death is clear and you still wish to request an autopsy,
you may have to pay for it. If an autopsy is performed, you have the right to
know the results. Call your doctor for this information. Funeral, burial arrangements, cremation
One person who can answer many of your questions is your funeral director. He
or she can handle some of the details for you, such as obtaining death certificates
and making burial arrangements. The funeral director also will be able to answer
many of your questions about the funeral service, finding a clergy person to conduct
the funeral if you are not affiliated with a congregation, burial arrangements,
cremation, and monuments.
You may be asked by the funeral director if you wish the body to be embalmed.
Embalming is recommended for a visitation and funeral. It is not necessary for
immediate cremation followed by a memorial service. Any funeral director can make
arrangements for burial or cremation.
Buying a funeral service is similar to other consumer purchases. Federal law requires
that a general price list be read to you on the phone or given to you in writing.
Do not hesitate to ask price questions; do not feel obligated to spend more than
you can afford. Although prices may reflect the quality of things like wood or
metal, price is not a measure of your love for the one who has died.
Some airlines provide reduced rates for family members who travel by air for a
funeral if you have a copy of the death certificate or obituary. Ask your funeral
director for assistance with this.
Additional considerations
Children and Funerals
Whether the ritual you are planning is a visitation, funeral, memorial service
or graveside service, consider involving the children. Children should not be
forced to attend or made to feel guilty if they prefer not to, but with support
and an explanation of what will occur, most children choose to participate.
They can contribute ideas for music, poems or readings, colors for flowers or
accessories, pictures or notes for the casket, words or memories to share. Children and teens benefit from death rituals and religious traditions in the same way adults do:
For further information, see Talking to children about death After the funeral
In the first months after a death, many details will need attention. The following
information is meant as a guide and resource. You may also want the assistance
of a professional financial advisor or lawyer. If you do not have a lawyer, you
can locate the Minnesota Bar Association Lawyer Referral Services at www.MNfindalawyer.com.  Back to A Guide for Surviviors |
||||
|
||||
Allina Grief Resources
|
||||
|
||||
