WHY DO PEOPLE DIE?

Dying is a natural part of life. All living things – plants, animals, even people-are special parts of God's natural world. Nature almost always gives us long, healthy lives. Like all other living things, though, people grow old and reach the end of life. This is called death, or dying.

DOES DEATH HURT?

Doctors tell us that death is not usually painful. Especially with old people, dying is almost always quiet. When someone dies in an accident, they often feel no pain at all because death comes so quickly. Even when someone is sick or hurt for a long time before death, special medicines and treatment take away much of the pain.

WHEN SOMEONE DIES ARE THEY BEING PUNISHED?

Death is never a punishment. It is almost always natural. Time wears out important parts of our bodies. After many, many years these parts cannot work anymore. People die when these parts – the heart, for example –stop working.

WHY CAN'T DOCTORS AND HOSPITALS STOP SOMEONE FROM DYING?

Many times they do. Yet sometimes, even though they have tried their best, someone dies. Doctors help people live long, healthy lives. Because of what doctors have learned, people live much longer now than they did when your grandparents were children. Hospitals help people too. Doctors and nurses work in hospitals to make sick and injured people better. People go to hospitals to become healthy, not to die.

WHERE DO DEAD PEOPLE GO?

Most people believe that when someone dies, part of that person lives on and goes to Heaven. This part is not like a heart or brain or any other part of us that doctors have to take care of. It is the part that lets us feel love and happiness. It never gets sick. It never wears out. This part is called the spirit. People all over the world have always believed that our spirits live on. There is no reason to think that this is not true.

WHY DID SOME I LOVE HAVE TO DIE? WHY COULDN'T IT HAVE BEEN SOMEONE ELSE?

Sometimes death doesn't seem fair.

Of all the people in the whole world, why did this one special person have to die?
Almost everyone, no matter who they are or where they live, is loved by others. Almost everyone will be missed by others when they die. Right now someone just like you somewhere else in the world is asking the same question: Why did someone I love have to die? Remember, we all will someday lose someone we love.

WHY ARE PEOPLE BURIED WHEN THEY DIE?

After people die we place their bodies in cemeteries. This is a gentle way to say goodbye to someone we love.
A cemetery gives us a quiet, pretty place to come and think about that person. A visit to a cemetery can bring back pleasant memories.

WHAT ARE FUNERALS FOR?

One of the nicest things about being a person is that we are able to feel love for another person. This does not end when that person dies. Funerals are for sharing loving feelings about someone who has died. They give us a chance to remember with others the goodness and joy that person brought to our lives. This takes away some of the sadness that we feel. It also helps us understand how much others care too.

WHEN I GET OLDER WILL I UNDERSTAND DEATH BETTER THAN I DO NOW?

As we grow up we learn more about many things in life, not just death. Think of all the things you have learned already! By the time you are a grown-up you will have learned much, much more. The more we learn about life, the better we are able to understand that part of it we call death, or dying. It won't be as confusing as it is now. It won't be as hard to talk or think about.

QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE

What is the significance of a funeral service?

From the beginning of history, societies have honored those who passed through traditional ceremony. The purpose of the ritual, according to beliefs at the time was to send the deceased on their journey into the afterlife.

Today, however, many experts agree that the benefits of a service are for those who are left behind after a death. To help survivors adjust to their loss and recognize that death has occurred, a "closure" of sorts must occur. A funeral service provides the opportunity for friends and family to celebrate life and allow the healing process to begin.

How much does a funeral cost?

Funeral costs vary depending on the funeral home and type of service you seek. There are two types of costs associated with a funeral; services provided by the funeral home, and merchandise, such as a casket. It is your right, mandated by Federal Trade Commission regulations, that all charges be listed, provided on a price list and made available by phone, mail or in person.

Is everything included in the price given to me by the funeral home?

All charges involving the funeral home's services and merchandise must be explained by your funeral director. We will provide a general price list with all charges. Monies may be required in advance for opening and closing of the grave, the obituary, floral arrangements and music.

Can I make my funeral arrangements before I die?

Yes. Today, pre-arrangement and pre-payment of funerals are becoming more common. This will provide you with more time to review your options and give a choice in your own funeral service. Pre-arrangement will provide you with the peace of mind that everything has been taken care of, relieving your family of the emotional and financial burden that often comes with making arrangements when a loved one passes away. Oftentimes, making arrangements in advance also guarantees a service and funeral at today's prices, free from inflation. At Swartz we'll assist you with all your needs.

How many types of caskets exist, and why are some more expensive than others?

Most caskets are made of either metal (usually bronze, copper or steel) or wood. (wide variety). Prices vary, depending on the material used. Bronze caskets are more expensive than steel, as solid wood is more expensive than softer varieties. All funeral homes are required by law to provide you with a listing of casket prices. For a price list, or more information, call us a (810) 235-2345.

What is embalming and is it necessary before burial?

Embalming is the temporary preservation of a corpse. This surgical-like procedure involves injecting chemicals into the deceased to produce a life-like appearance. This helps to stall decomposition of the body, providing more time for a viewing and/or service. Embalming is not required for a burial, but it is a common practice when a
viewing is planned. Funeral homes are required to get permission to embalm, according to the Federal Trade Commission Funeral Rule.

Can a funeral home assist me with Social Security and Veteran's death benefits?

At Swartz, we will do more than just assist you with securing these benefits. Our staff is trained to complete all necessary paperwork to begin the benefits procedure and will see that they are secured in a timely manner.

I am a veteran and would like to be buried in a national cemetery. Can my spouse be buried next to me?

Yes, a site for your spouse and any minor dependents can be reserved when you pass on.

What is involved in the cremation process?

A casket or container is inserted into a cremation chamber with temperature 1600-1800 degrees Fahrenheit. All matter is consumed by heat or evaporation within two hours. The only thing left is the cremated remains, consisting of the bone fragment residue. The remains are carefully removed from the chamber, processed into fine particles and placed in a container or urn. Correct identification is ensured with a carefully controlled labeling system. The whole process takes about three hours.

Are special cremation caskets used?

Cremation casket selection varies from cardboard to hardwood. Many are quite affordable and totally combustible.

Are the services held before or after cremation?

Services are held at the discretion of the family. However, most choose to have visitation and service first, followed by the cremation.

What happens to the cremated remains?

There are many options to consider with a cremation. A family can choose to bury the remains in a cemetery, store and display them at home in an urn, or scatter them in a place special to the deceased. It is advisable to check local restrictions before scattering remains on public property and get permission for private property.

How can we memorialize a cremation?

There are several ways to memorialize a cremation. One option is ground burial the urn, marked with a bronze memorial or sculpture. Most cemeteries also offer cremation niches in columbariums and others offer scattering gardens which provides scenic landscape for the familys to visit.

Must I purchase certified copies of a death certificate?

Proof of death is needed for such things as banking transactions, transferring of stocks and bonds and life insurance. We can guide you in determining how many certified copies are needed to settle an estate and obtain them for you.

Can I still have a service if I donate my remains?

Yes. Your funeral home can coordinate a memorial service or gathering at the family's preferred time and location. The funeral home can also arrange the donation of organs to medical science.