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Do you know what happens after the funeral home picks up a deceased person from their place of death? Are you curious about the burial and cremation process? If you\u2019re not sure about what happens at the funeral home, then the mystery could add undue stress to your period of mourning.

Despite opportunities to plan ahead for funeral services, too many families are left in the dark when the unthinkable happens. How prepared is your family, and how much do they know about the pre-funeral process?

If you\u2019re interested in learning more about things that happen prior to a funeral, spend 15 minutes listening to this episode of Forever in their Hearts where host Erik Reynolds interviews Valerie Martell, Director of Operations for Martin Brothers Funeral Services in Vancouver, about what happens to your departed loved one when the funeral home picks them up.

The National Funeral Directors Association* says that more people are pre-planning funerals than ever before. But what actually takes place when tragedy strikes? This interview is a chance to take the mystery out of the process.

How Can I Be Sure Where My Loved One Went?

The episode kicks off with Valerie sharing personal stories about the question she hears most often as an employee of a funeral home \u2013 Where did my loved one go?

A little personal touch can go a long way. Next Valerie explains what Martin Brothers does to help avoid this type of confusion when they pick up someone from the hospital or other place of death.

Unknown details, like who picked up your departed loved one\u2019s body, can add tension to an already stress situation.

What Can I Do to Help with the Pre-Funeral Process?

It is not unusual for family members to feel helpless during the process for preparing someone for burial or cremation. Valerie shares what you can do to help dissuade these feelings, and also goes on to answer these questions:

- Why do I need to bring clothing for someone who isn\u2019t having a public viewing?
- How can I be sure that it\u2019s my loved one who is in the care of your funeral home?
- What types of things can the funeral home put in the casket with my loved one?

Now ask yourself these two questions: Do you know how the funeral home prepares someone for burial or cremation? Do you know all the things they do to help that person\u2019s loved ones? If you answered \u201cNo\u201d to either, then it is time to arrange a consultation with a funeral home to find the answers.

How Does the Process Differ for a Cremation Instead of a Burial?

Then the topic of the discussion focuses on cremation instead of a burial. Valerie outlines what types of items that you could ask to be placed in the casket with a loved one you intend to have cremated, and the kinds of things that you might prefer to not have cremated.

She goes on to explain what happens to the items placed in the casket with your loved one, and what options you have regarding the items that are best left out of the cremation process.

Families that reach out to the funeral home are able to experience the various stages of grief without the added tension and stress that comes with unanswered questions. The funeral home is there to take the mystery out of the process. What\u2019s preventing you from accepting their assistance?

The episode wraps up with Valerie sharing final thoughts about this episode\u2019s topic. She reminds that the funeral home is there to answer any question you have. If there are any questions you have that weren\u2019t answered in this episode then please contact the funeral home using the information below.

What Questions Do You Have about the Funeral Process?

Is your family prepared for the process for preparing someone for burial or cremation? Does the mystery surrounding it make you feel anxious, or stressed out?

Listen to the entire podcast now. Then if you have questions or your own personal experiences to share, then submit them in the space below. We look forward to discussing these things with you.

Martin Brothers Funeral Services has more than 100 years of experience in providing thoughtful, dedicated services to families dealing with loss. If you are ready to take care of funeral pre-arrangements, have additional questions about their services, or are dealing with a loss, please contact them at their Vancouver office.

Martin Brothers Funeral Services

Vancouver: Funeral Services Centre
3398 Dunbar Street
Vancouver, BC Canada V6S 2C1
Telephone Number: 778.330.7799
Toll Free Number: 1.800.382.2901
Fax Number: 778.330.7633

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MartinBrothersFuneralChapelsBcLtd
Twitter: https://twitter.com/martinbrothers1

*http://nfda.org/media-center/trends-in-funeral-service.html