Washington Crossing PA Funeral Home
Washington Crossing PA Funeral Home
The Garefino Funeral Home is popularly known for offering great services to the Washington Crossing, PA residents by providing funeral home related advice as well as providing practical information. You may be in the need to make funeral arrangements now or wish to plan for the future. We at the Garelino Funeral Home are here for you and offer wide-ranging information in regard to traditional funeral services, celebrations of life, memorial services as well as cremation services. We will help and guide you in making the decision that best suits you and your family. For any questions or just need more information, do not hesitate to contact us. You are the reason we are here!
When You Meet with a Garefino Funeral Director
It is advisable to meet with a funeral director within the first twenty four hours of death, to begin funeral arrangements. The following information will assist you in getting ready for what is termed as “the arrangement conference.”
This is adifficult time for you and your loved ones but rest assured that each and every member of the Garefino Funeral home staff will be there to support you and lighten your load. Our Funeral Director, Charlie Garefino will direct and guide you in making all the required decisions. Feel encouraged as we will walk with you all along the way.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to come alone during your first visit to us; you may prefer another member of the family to assist or a neighbor or even a close friend helpig you. We advocate and encourage this as we know how beneficial it is to have someone holding your hand and giving you the moral support needed during a difficult time of life.
Do not hesitate in asking someone to join you, you’ll be surprised at how delighted and honored they will be and to be there for you at such a trying time. However, if you do ask someone, remember to let them know that they should feel comfortable and whatever their decision, you will gladly understand.
Who is Responsible for Making the Funeral Arrangement Decisions?
Are you aware of who is legally responsible for carrying out funeral decisions for a loved one? It is advisable and important for you to know that if the deceased had not expressed their wishes through a written document such as a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, or a last will, or the deceased has not chosen an agent to fulfill their last wishes; then the chain of command is commonly as follows:
- A legal Spouse or partner
- An adult child/children surviving
- A Parent who is surviving
- A surviving adult sibling
- An ex-spouse
- A minor’s child-parent
Whoever is deemed to be the responsibile family, it requires to be available at all times to make burial or cremation decisions as well as sign appropriate documents. If you have any questions regarding the accepted kinship order, or you are not sure of who handles the funeral planning, contact us.
Should someone else be included in making the funeral arrangements?
As much as it is important to assign responsibilities during the funeral planning, it’s wise to include anyone who would like to be a part of arranging the funeral.This includes children, friends or other members of the family who wish to do so.
You should know that helping others in making the final funeral arrangement decisions is empowering and helps someone to come to terms with their loss. Therefore, it is important to ask those people in your life who you feel should take part to do so.
Have You Gathered the Necessary Documents?
It is interesting to note how both life and death are full of legalities. A loved one dying is not only an emotional issue for those left behind but a legal one too which then calls for the timely completion of paperwork. Charlie Garefino, our funeral director, will inform you that the very first step in demonstrating the care and love for the deceased encompasses completing and filing the Death Certificate as well as a burial Cremation permit.
The following documents are necessary for assisting the funeral home with the funeral arrangements:
- The deceased's Birth certificate and if not available, the parents’ names including mother’s maiden name
- The deceased social security number
- The deceased's pre-arrangements funeral documents
- Any Cemetery information available
- Deceased attorney power for their health care
- The deceased last will
- A revocable living trust
If you’ve got any questions about the legal documents you are required to provide, feel free to contact us. Rest assured that making that call guarantees you having a partner to see you through this time of difficulty
