Q.    About what does a funeral cost?

Q.    What does cremation cost?

A.      There are three levels of cremations:

• Direct cremation

• Direct cremation with a memorial service

• Traditional funeral services which includes embalming, viewing, visitation, and funeral service with cremation as final disposition as opposed to earthen burial.

Direct cremation cost $1,615.00 plus $150.00. Oklahoma Medical Examiner Permit Fee totaling $1,765.00. Most families select a memorial service of $450.00 which includes the use of our staff, and chapel (or your church). A memorial package of $135.00 which includes a memorial book to register guests, acknowledgment cards and memorial folders which document the event. This total package cost $2,150.00.

Q.      How Much Do Death Certificates Cost?

A.        Each death certificate cost $10.00 and the court clerk’s office charges $1.50 to certify each copy – totaling $11.50 each. Each death certificate must be filed in the county of death by your funeral director. If copies are obtained locally from the court clerk’s office, the cost is $11.50. However, if the death certificate is simply filed with the court clerk, and no copies are needed for immediate needs, then copies can be ordered directly from the Oklahoma Health Department for $10.00 each at a later date. Once certified copies are obtained on the county level by your funeral director, each court clerk’s office is required to forward the original death certificate to the Oklahoma Department of Vital Statistics. Copies can then only be obtained from the state level, not the county level, as the county does not keep copies on record.

Q.      Who has the right to make decisions?

A.        The next of kin has the right to determine what type of service will be provided for their loved one in the absence of a fully funded prearrangement. The next of kin is also financially responsible for the services. It is important to note that the funeral home is not obligated to provide any merchandise or services which cannot be paid for by the day of the service.

Q.      What type of payment plans do you offer?

A.        Payments for services are expected by the day of the service. Payment options are: cash, check, money order, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover cards, verifiable insurance which is assignable to the funeral home or monthly payments arranged through New South Bank with approved credit. A copy of New South Bank’s credit application is available on this web site for your convenience.

Q.      Is embalming necessary?

A.        Not if you select cremation, direct burial within 24 hours or if refrigeration is available. Embalming is required by Oklahoma Statute within 24 hours of death if a traditional service with viewing for the general public to be provided. Obviously, this is a health and safety issue for the funeral staff, families of the deceased, and the general public.

Q.       What is the difference between a funeral service and a memorial service?

A.        A funeral service has the body of the deceased present for viewing usually a few days before the service as well as at the actual service. A memorial service is when the family chooses cremation, or when a body cannot be recovered due to a tragedy.

Q.     Can I transfer my plan?

A.        Yes, your plan belongs to you, not the funeral home. Even a paid in full funeral plan is portable and transferable. It doesn’t matter if you move your plan across the country or across town, you always have the right to select with which funeral provider you feel most comfortable. We will honor any plan from any funeral home – whether that plan is with a funeral home in Altus, Albuquerque, Lone Wolf or Los Angeles – We will honor it!

Q.      Can I transfer after the time of loss?

A.        Yes! This happens more often than one would imagine. If your loved one has a plan at one funeral home and immediately following the loss the family decides to use a different funeral home, all you have to do is call. The accepting provider will handle all the details.

Q.      What about body donation?

A.        An “anatomical gift” can be made provided you make application well in advance. Your funeral director can provide and process the application; however, there is no guarantee the donor will be accepted. There may be some minimal cost associated with body donation as well. For more information concerning anatomical gifts you may call the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center weekdays at 405-271-2424.

Q.      How many days after death do you normally bury?

A.        We typically suggest burial on the third day. This normally allows most friends and relatives enough travel time to arrive at least a day early.

Q.      Do we offer memorial videos?

A.        Yes! We suggest you bring us about 30 to 35 photographs arranged in chronological order, i.e.: infant, childhood, young adult, etc. Make sure you number them on the back. We will normally include two complete songs on the tribute which typically last about 7 to 10 minutes. There is NO CHARGE for production of the original master on VHS tape. The master can be viewed during visitation or as part of the funeral/ memorial ceremony. Should you wish to purchase a copy of the tribute, they are  $10.00 each. Should you wish to have a copy mailed to you there is a $5.00 charge per tape. 

Q.      What is the benefit of a funeral?

A.        Most people, especially males, don’t see the value in anyone making a “fuss” about them. We have heard them say so many times, “Well, when my time comes, just put me in a box and go dig a hole.” If only everything were just that simple. The fact is, the funeral is for the ones left behind – it is a way the family and friends can come together and celebrate the life of a loved one and express how much that life meant to them. A funeral creates a time and a place for friends to share stories and hugs – to place importance on that person’s life and tell others how much you loved them. It is a key transitional period – a period of adjustment – from life with someone to life without their physical appearance. The funeral process provides the time, place, and opportunity for loving support of friends, which is so vital to emotional recovery.

Q.      How does the Department of Human Services $7,500 spend down of assets work?

A.        DHS will allow each individual to “spend down” up to $7,500 of their assets as long as it is irrevocably assigned to a funeral home for final expenses. The fund will grow between 3% and 4% each year and is not subject to taxes or probate upon death. At the time of death, your family can use any amount of these funds for the funeral and receive back the unspent portion. Let’s say for example a married couple were both in a nursing facility, and they only have $20,000 left in assets. Together, they can take advantage of the DHS spend down and apply $15,000 toward their final expenses. Now they only have $5,000 left with which to pay their nursing home bill. Once the $5,000 is gone, Medicaid will pay the nursing home bill. If this couple had not taken advantage of the DHS spend down the nursing home bill would erode all of the $20,000 before Medicaid takes over, leaving the couple no funds left for final expenses. The funeral home side of the equation works like this. Let’s say an individual’s account had grown to say, $8,500 at the time of death. The family decides to spend $6,500 on the funeral. In this case, the family will receive $2,000 back tax free and probate free. Not only was the funeral fully funded, the family will receive some of the funds back. So it boils down to this, you can leave the nursing home all your money, or you can fully fund the funeral and even leave some to your heirs. Either way, your assets will deplete and when that happens, Medicaid will take over. You might as well take advantage of the “loophole” the state gives you.