Funeral FAQ

Immediately after death, call Proko Funeral Home at any time, day or night. We will guide you through the necessary steps, including:

• Transportation of your loved one to our funeral home
• Obtaining and filing the death certificate
• Arranging for notification of relevant authorities
• Beginning the funeral arrangement process
• Providing guidance on next steps and timeline

You don't need to make all decisions immediately. We can help you take time to process and make thoughtful choices about arrangements and services.

There is typically a waiting period while we obtain a death certificate and complete necessary paperwork. This usually takes 3-5 business days, but can vary. This waiting period can actually be helpful for families to:

• Notify extended family and friends
• Arrange travel for out-of-town attendees
• Decide on service details and preferences
• Coordinate with clergy or other service providers

We can arrange expedited services if needed in special circumstances.

Embalming is not required by law, but may be recommended depending on:

• Whether you plan to have a viewing with the casket open
• Length of time before the service
• Personal, religious, or cultural preferences
• Cause of death and time since death

We can discuss whether embalming is appropriate for your situation and explain all available options.

Funeral Service: Typically includes a viewing/visitation period where the body is present and casket may be open for viewing. This is followed by a service (religious or secular) and then committal at the cemetery or crematory.

Memorial Service: Held without the body present, usually after cremation or burial has occurred. This allows flexibility in timing and location while still providing a meaningful gathering for remembrance.

Celebration of Life: A more informal gathering focused on celebrating the person's life with stories, music, photos, and memories. This can be held at any location and may include food and beverages in a more relaxed setting.

All three formats are meaningful and can be customized to honor your loved one in a way that reflects their personality and your family's preferences.

Absolutely! Personalization is encouraged and can include:

• Music selections (recorded or live musicians)
• Photo displays or video tributes
• Religious or secular readings and prayers
• Eulogies from family and friends
• Military honors or special ceremonies
• Themed decorations or symbolic elements
• Unique casket or urn selections
• Reception details and menu choices

Our funeral directors work with you to create a service that truly reflects your loved one's life, values, and personality.

Yes, we encourage family participation! Family members can:

• Deliver eulogies or share memories
• Perform readings or lead prayers
• Provide music or participate in ceremonies
• Greet guests and receive condolences
• Participate in the flag folding ceremony (for veteran services)
• Select flowers, music, and other service elements

Family involvement makes the service more personal and meaningful. We can help coordinate family participation while ensuring the service flows smoothly.

Funeral costs vary based on several factors including:

• Type of service (viewing + funeral, graveside only, memorial service)
• Casket or urn selection ($1,500–$15,000+)
• Cemetery or cremation location
• Grave liner or vault selection
• Monument or marker choices
• Additional services (flowers, music, videography, etc.)

We provide transparent pricing and detailed price lists. Contact us for a personalized quote based on your family's needs and budget.

Yes, we understand that funeral costs can be substantial. We offer flexible payment options including:

• Payment plans to spread costs over time
• Discussion of insurance benefits and life insurance
• Information about government benefits (if applicable)
• Guidance on using savings or family resources

We work with families to find payment solutions that fit their financial situation. Please don't hesitate to discuss your budget with our funeral directors.

Pre-planning involves making funeral arrangements in advance, before they're needed. Benefits include:

• Peace of Mind: Knowing your arrangements are in place
• Financial Protection: Lock in today's prices before inflation increases costs
• Family Burden Reduction: Your family won't face difficult decisions during grief
• Personal Expression: Take time to make thoughtful, personalized choices
• Documentation: Your wishes are clearly documented
• Flexible Funding: Various pre-funding options are available

Pre-planning is highly recommended. Contact us to begin the process.

You have several options:

• Traditional Earth Burial: Casket placed in a grave in a cemetery with a headstone or marker
• Mausoleum Entombment: Casket placed in an above-ground crypt in a mausoleum
• Cremation: Body is cremated and ashes placed in an urn or scattered
• Cremation with Burial of Ashes: Ashes are buried in a cemetery with a marker
• Green/Eco-Friendly Burial: Biodegradable casket or shroud with no vault

Each option has different considerations regarding cost, environmental impact, permanence, and tradition. We can discuss the pros and cons of each to help you make the best choice for your family.

Cremation is a process where the body is exposed to intense heat (approximately 1,400–1,800°F) in a specialized crematory chamber. The process typically takes 2–3 hours and reduces the body to cremated remains (ashes). The process is:

• Respectful: Handled with dignity and care by trained professionals
• Confidential: Only one person is cremated at a time, ensuring proper identification
• Regulated: Subject to strict regulations and safety protocols
• Flexible: Can be scheduled before or after a memorial service

After cremation, the cremated remains are placed in an urn of your choice and returned to your family.

Yes, cremated ashes can be buried in a cemetery. Options include:

• Ground Burial: Urn buried in a cemetery plot with a marker or headstone
• Columbarium Niche: Urn placed in an above-ground wall or structure in the cemetery
• Scattering Garden: Ashes scattered in a designated garden with a memorial plaque
• Family Plot: Buried alongside other family members in a pre-existing plot

This option combines the benefits of cremation with the permanence and visitation opportunity of a cemetery burial.

There are many meaningful options for cremated ashes:

• Burial in a cemetery or columbarium
• Scattering in a meaningful location (ocean, mountains, garden)
• Kept in a decorative urn at home
• Divided among family members in smaller urns
• Incorporated into jewelry or memorial items
• Scattered by air or water service
• Placed in a memorial garden or columbarium

We can discuss which option best honors your loved one and meets your family's needs.

Military honors at a veteran's funeral typically include:

• Flag-draped casket
• Honor guard in uniform
• Rifle volley or salute
• Playing of Taps by military bugler
• Presentation of flag to family

The specific honors depend on the veteran's rank, branch of service, and whether service was active duty, reserve, or National Guard. We coordinate all military honors through the appropriate military branches.

Eligible veterans receive several VA benefits:

• Free Burial: Burial at VA national cemeteries at no cost
• Headstone/Marker: Provided at no cost even if buried elsewhere
• Burial Allowance: Up to $2,000 for service-connected death, $300 for others
• Flag: American flag provided for casket
• Grave Opening/Closing: Provided at national cemeteries

We help families verify eligibility and navigate the VA benefits process. Our staff can assist with all paperwork and coordination.

Eligible veterans can be buried in VA national cemeteries at no cost. Eligibility includes:

• Those who served honorably
• Retirees and active-duty members
• Those who died on active duty
• Some surviving spouses and dependents

National cemeteries provide a solemn, respectful setting with perpetual care and maintenance. We can help determine eligibility and arrange burial at a national cemetery or local cemetery with full military honors.

For comprehensive information about veteran funeral services, visit our Veteran Funeral Services page. We also provide information about our Veterans Memorial Wall honoring those who served.

Contact us directly to discuss veteran benefits and military honors for your loved one.

Traditional funeral attire is respectful, understated clothing, though modern funerals often allow for more flexibility. Appropriate options include:

• Dark suits, dresses, or separates
• Conservative, formal clothing
• Clothing that reflects your personal tradition or culture
• If unsure, ask the family or funeral home

The most important thing is to show respect and support for the grieving family. If you're uncertain, it's always appropriate to contact the family or funeral home with questions.

Thoughtful gestures at funerals include:

• Flowers or plants (check for preferences)
• Food for the family (casseroles, prepared meals)
• Cards with sympathy messages
• Memorial donations in the deceased's name
• Offers of help (childcare, household tasks)

If you're unsure what to send, ask the funeral home or family members. Your presence and support are often the greatest gifts.

Funeral service length varies based on the type and format:

• Visitation/Calling Hours: Usually 1–3 hours, may be divided into multiple periods
• Funeral Service: Typically 30 minutes to 1 hour
• Graveside Service: Usually 15–30 minutes
• Reception: 1–3 hours depending on family preference

Times are flexible and can be adjusted based on family needs and circumstances. We can discuss timing options during arrangement meetings.

Yes, children can attend funeral services. In fact, including children can help them:

• Understand what has happened
• Say goodbye and express grief
• Feel included in family rituals
• Find closure and healing

Consider the child's age, maturity level, and the nature of their relationship with the deceased. You may want to prepare them in advance about what to expect. Many families also arrange for childcare to be available if needed, and children can participate as much or as little as they're comfortable with.

A death certificate is an official legal document issued by the state that records the death. It's needed to:

• Settle the deceased's estate
• Claim life insurance benefits
• Access bank accounts and property
• File final income tax returns
• Notify Social Security and government agencies
• Arrange burial or cremation

We help families obtain death certificates. You'll typically need multiple certified copies (usually 10–15) for various agencies and financial institutions. We can explain how many copies you'll likely need.