Funerals mark the death of an individual and allow family and friends to remember that
person. In many cases, these funerals become costly and elaborate affairs. Funerals come
in many forms and can include traditional funerals, graveside ceremonies, cremation,
direct cremation or burial and memorial services. These types are chosen depending on
economic, cultural or religious factors and are held in places of worship, private homes,
funeral homes or other suitable locations.

General Price List

The General Price List (GPL) is one of the most important tools you have for controlling
and understanding funeral cost. The GPL lists the goods and services the funeral home
offers, along with the price of each item. Like a menu in a restaurant, the GPL allows
you to select only the items you want, and tells how much each will cost. Because we
know we are competitively priced, we publish our General Price List on our website, one
of the few funeral homes in the area that do so. We invite you to compare our charges
with other funeral homes, you may be surprised to find that when the total price is
calculated our prices are very competitive; and are comparable to other funeral homes.
Some funeral homes say they will match any funeral homes prices. We do not feel this
type of policy is fair or honest. Shouldn't there be one price for everyone? You should be
wary if a funeral home agrees to match or undercut a price from another funeral home.
It is often a disservice to you. It is important for all funeral homes to be able to compare
what they offer and stand behind the prices they charge.

Funeral Financing

Funerals can be an unexpected and significant financial burden, especially in these tough
economic times. Joseph McPhee Funeral Directors offers an at-need financing option for
families that may have difficulty paying for the cost of their loved one's funeral.

Joseph McPhee Funeral Directors is pleased to offer financing through The HELPcard.
The HELPcard application process is easy; an individual can apply online, by phone or fax,
and receive quick approval. The HELPcard offers a large approval rate including
individuals with less than perfect credit. There are a variety of financing plans that The
HELPcard can offer to an applicant; even individuals with less than perfect credit could be
approved for a line of credit.

Services of Funeral Director and Staff

Our charge for basic responsibilities of the funeral director and funeral staff include the
initial response for the request of funeral services, funeral arrangements, family
conferences, management and filing of permits and all other necessary documentation,
placement of obituaries, keeping a record of vital statistics, and coordination with other
individuals responsible for parts of the funeral arrangements, such as crematorium
employees or members of the clergy.

These charges include certain overhead expenses such as utility bills, maintenance of our
facility, inventory, and administration costs.

Embalming

The chemical embalming process eliminates certain health hazards and preserves the
body temporarily. This procedure is completed by an individual licensed by the state.
Embalming is not required by law with the exception of certain cases, such as a funeral
with a viewing.  If  you do not wish for a body to be embalmed, you may choose direct
cremation or immediate burial, which do not require you to pay for it.

Use of Facilities & Staff Services

For the use of staff and facilities for a viewing, our charge includes preparing the
visitation area, supervising the wake, placing the casketed remains, placing a photo
memorial board, and assistance regarding Social Security and Veteran paperwork,
funeral luncheon, and insurance requirements. Facility and staff services can be charged
for one day or two or by the hourly charge.

If you wish to hold a memorial service without the body, we can accommodate that as
well.  Our service charge includes coordinating, supervising and staffing the memorial
service.

If you wish to have graveside service, you may use our staff and equipment to do so. Our
charge includes accompanying the remains to the cemetery as well as attendance and
supervision of the service by our staff.

If you wish, we can shelter your loved one’s remains for a daily charge. This charge only
applies when we are in possession of the remains, not during visitation and ceremonies.

What is your preference? Burial or Cremation? 

Joseph McPhee Funeral Directors encourages all families to consider whichever option
suits them best at the time of need.

When it comes to arranging a funeral today, you have two main options to choose
between when selecting your disposition method – burial or cremation.

Current statistics indicate that an increasingly large number of individuals are choosing
cremation over burial. Obviously, there are advantages and disadvantages to both
choices. Some of these are listed below.

Burial

Advantages:

• Religious tradition

• Family tradition

• A place to return to and to care for which can give comfort to the survivors

• A place for a permanent memorial to be erected

Disadvantages:

• More expensive due to required land fees

Cremation

Advantages:

• Is usually less expensive

• Offers more flexibility for service options

• Saves land

• The remains can be scattered or buried at a later date.

Disadvantages:

• Can leave survivors with fewer ways to mourn