For Immediate Service, 24 Hours a Day,
Call 724-349-2000 or 724-254-4342


Memorial FAQ

FAQ: Memorial Services

  • What is a memorial service?

    A memorial service is similar to a funeral. The difference is, the physical body of the deceased is not present at a memorial service. You are still able to gather as a family with close friends to honor and remember the life that was lived. The service can be officiated by a clergy member, family member or close friend. The memorial service can be held in the funeral home, a church or place of worship, a cemetery (prior to burial or entombment), in a community hall or even at the family home. A memorial service usually takes place following the burial or cremation of the deceased. Many times the urn holding the cremated remains is present at the memorial service.

  • How does it differ from a celebration-of-life event?

    A memorial service is more structured than a celebration of life. A memorial service has a planned order of events that is led by a main speaker. As previously stated in this section of questions and answers, the memorial service is led by either a clergy member, family member or close friend. Whereas a celebration of life event is less formal and is all about celebrating the passions, intellectual pursuits and personal accomplishments of the deceased. 

  • Which type of service format is right for me and my family?

    There's really no way we can tell you which service would be the best in your situation. During our initial meeting with you, we will describe the service options that are available and the differences between those types of services. Our overall goal is to help you make a decision that sounds right for you and your family. 

  • How much will a memorial service cost?

    The answer to this question depends on the selections you or your family make when planning the memorial service. Just like everything else, a memorial service can be kept very simple without any frills, or it can be planned as an elaborate remembrance event. When we discuss service arrangements with you during our initial meeting, we will help you arrange a memorial service that best reflects the life that was lived while keeping the overall price within your budget. Call us so we can help you plan a memorial service for yourself or a family member.

  • What "extra" fees or charges will I need to pay?

    Some of the things you'll discuss with us involve purchases made from outside vendors. You will be asked to pay for those items at the time of the arrangement conference.  One of the most common is the fee charged by a newspaper to print your loved one's obituary. Other cash advance charges could be for clergy or musician's fees, and floral arrangements. We will provide you with a detailed invoice for all cash advance items during our initial meeting.

  • What are "cash advance items"?

    During our initial meeting we will discuss the charges of outside vendors and service providers. These are known as Cash Advance Charges. Here is a list of the most common Cash Advance Charges that appear on a funeral purchase agreement: Certified copies of the Death Certificate; Coroner's Cremation Authorization, Cemetery fees; Clergy/Church fees; Organist/Musician fees; Florist charges, Newspaper Obituary charges, Hairstylist fees. The funeral home will pay these service providers on your behalf, however, payment for these Cash Advance Charges are due within 72 hours of the signed contract. The funeral home does not profit from any Cash Advance Charges.

  • Why must I pay for these items ahead of time?

    The answer to this is simple: we have to pay for these second-party services at the time we make the purchase on your behalf. This requires us to ask for payment for all cash advance items at the time the cremation service contract is signed, or paid within 72 hours of the signed contract. For more specific information about our payment policies, open “Payment Options” under the “Funeral Planning” tab, or call us to speak with one of our funeral directors.

  • How and when should I pay?

    The first payment needed will be for 50% of the selected merchandise and services, plus all of the cash advance expenses that the funeral home will distribute on your behalf.  That payment can be made within 72 hours of the signed contract or before the day of service, whichever comes first. Final payment is due within 30 days of the signed contract. Accepted methods of payment include: Cash or Check; Pre-Paid Funeral Plans; Major Credit Cards and Life Insurance Assignments.

  • What's involved in planning a memorial service?

    We've actually written a number of pages on memorial service planning that are available on this website. The short answer would include the tasks of selecting the location, date and time of the service. You'll need to consider things like: specific readings, musical selections, the involvement of family members and friends; selecting special foods or beverages that the person enjoyed. These are all things you could feature at a memorial service that will help everyone in attendance feel better connected with their memories of the departed. Memorial service planning isn't difficult; it's empowering, so use this time to show the world how much your loved one meant to you. We invite you to speak with one of our funeral directors to learn more.

  • How much will I have to be involved?

    How much would you like to be involved? When you meet with us at the funeral home, we will need you to specify certain details. We'll need to determine where and when with the memorial service be held. we will then help you make the important decisions about other specifics concerning the service. Once those decisions are made, you can "step back" and let us handle everything. Ultimately, you can have as much or as little input as you wish.

  • What items will I need to bring to the funeral home?

    You'll need to provide the documents/information required to complete your loved one's death certificate and obituary. You may also wish to bring in a collection of family photographs to be used in making a tribute video or in the decoration of the service location. Other items may be needed at some point, depending on the arrangements you make. Please refer to the page on our website entitled “What you should bring to our initial meeting” This list can be found under the “Funeral Planning” tab. If you still have questions after reading that list, please contact us at Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home & Crematory. We would be glad to help answer your questions.  724-349-2000 or 724-254-4342. 

  • Will I, or another family member, need to write the obituary?

    We always offer to write a first draft of an obituary. We usually email that first draft to you, so you can use it as a guide when you begin writing the obituary at home. However, many times a family will ask us to simply write the obituary for them. Keep in mind, we never submit an obituary for final publication until it has been approved by the deceased’s family. If you do write an obituary, please use a computer so you can email it to the funeral home.

Share by: