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1. Is embalming required by law?
No, embalming is required by law only in rare circumstances. But most funeral homes do not allow public viewing without embalming. In many instances we are able to offer families the opportunity for a private viewing prior to Funeral with minimal preparation not involving embalming.

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2. Is a casket required for cremation?
No, local laws do not require a casket for cremation. However, most crematories require a casket or minimal alternative container (often cardboard) for the transportation of the remains to the crematory. Families always have the option to use a casket if they so desire and there are many reasonably priced caskets made specifically for cremation. Many families choose to have a visitation and/or service prior to cremation and would like to select a suitable casket. At Richmond Funeral Home we also offer a specially designed "rental casket" to accommodate families choosing cremation.

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3. Is there a legal way to protect family assets when a person is going on Medicaid?
Yes. With area nursing home costs averaging $7,000 to $9,000 per month, many individuals outlive their assets and need to go on Medicaid. It is in the best interest of the resident and his/her family to make funeral pre-arrangements and pre-fund them during the so-called "spend down" process prior to going on Medicaid. This allows the funeral expenses to be pre-paid and not become a burden for the surviving family. It is imperative that this be done in a way that complies with state of residency Medicaid regulations. Call us for details or refer to our Funeral Planning section of this site for information about Medicaid and irrevocable trusts.
("New York State law mandates that all contracts for pre-funded funerals executed by applicants for or recipients of Medicaid be irrevocable".) - effective January 1,1977

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4. Are there environmentally friendly options for funerals and cremation?
Some people consider cremation to be environmentally friendly since cremated remains do not take up as much space as a burial would. There are some biodegradable urns, constructed of special clay that disintegrates in water, which can be used for burial at sea or for burial in a cemetery. Many caskets today are made out of corrugated paper products or a variety of woods that will eventually return to the elements.

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5. Why is a funeral service important?
A funeral or memorial service is important for many reasons. It helps your family and friends acknowledge their loss. It is frequently the first step in the healing process of grief. The service offers a safe and comfortable environment that allows your family and friends to be together at a time when they most need each other's care, support and comfort. The service also helps to reflect and celebrate a life. It serves as a memorial tribute. There are many options that can be incorporated into a viewing and service that allows your family to personalize and participate in a way that helps in their healing.

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6. How can a family participate in making a funeral service unique and personal?
There are many ways to personalize a loss. The participation of family and friends in the funeral ceremony can serve to make a truly personal tribute. There are as many ways to commemorate a person's life, as there are people; but giving thought to this in advance is the best way to assure that the plans are carried out well. For many people, music is an important and meaningful part of any service. Most of us have songs we love to hear, or whose lyrics have special meaning for us. If there are special people who can share meaningful thoughts and insights into the life of the person, they should be heard. While some churches have rules concerning music or eulogies that can be used in the church, the funeral home has no such rules and can accommodate most requests. We provide photo memory boards and can display items at the funeral home that have special meaning to the life being honored. Items such as golf clubs, photos, sports uniforms, artwork, jewelry, figurines or other personal mementos can be displayed.

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7. What is the difference between "Family Owned" and "corporate owned" funeral homes?
While there are several compelling differences, the one major difference between local "Family Owned" funeral homes or those owned by large multinational corporations is "accountability". At Richmond Funeral Home, we are "your caring neighbor in stormy times". We live and work in the borough and contribute our time, money and resources to the Staten Island community. We take personal pride in providing the highest level of service to every family regardless of their means. Our local roots keep us connected to the lives and shared experiences of the people of Staten Island. Another compelling difference is cost. Large publicly traded corporations are driven by their share price that often results in higher prices to the consumer. Prices may vary a lot from funeral home to funeral home, even in the same town. Much of this is due in part to the proliferation of corporate owned funeral homes in the New York area. The corporations will usually purchase several established name funeral homes in an area, which can make price comparison difficult since they often own both firms being compared. Costs are then artificially inflated. A recent report by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) comparing "Family Owned" with "corporate owned" funeral homes found that variations of hundreds- even thousands- of dollars are not uncommon. We advise people to check with several funeral providers in their area before making a decision. Be sure to inquire as to whether the funeral home is "Family Owned".

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8. How do I know if a funeral home is "corporate owned"?
The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) mandates that funeral homes in New York City must disclose the actual ownership of the funeral home in all advertising and marketing materials. To not do so is against the law. Sadly, many of the "corporate owned" funeral home's employees, usually the former owners, intentionally conceal their true ownership.

Service Corporation International is the world's largest funeral conglomerate with nearly 4,000 funeral homes and hundreds of cemeteries. Upon purchasing a funeral home, SCI, as they are known throughout the funeral industry and Wall Street, often retains the previous owners and some of the firm's staff for a fixed period of time. This practice is often confusing to consumers who believe they are dealing directly with the owners of the firm. The DCA report, which led in part to establishing disclosure laws, cited several examples of "corporate owned" funeral homes deception about their firm's ownership.

The following is from the DCA report:

" And an employee at every funeral home in Staten Island said over the telephone that they are independently owned. However, SCI owns five funeral homes on Staten Island".

Another way in which some corporate funeral homes try to mislead is by using a bold, large print headline stating the family name and their longstanding "family affiliation" with the firm. Almost lost in the advertising is the small printed disclosure at the bottom that discloses that they are "corporate owned". Look carefully and don't be afraid to ask questions about a firm's ownership.

At Richmond Funeral Home, we are "family owned" which makes us both accessible and accountable to the families we serve. Remember, large "corporate owned" funeral homes answer to shareholders, we answer to you!

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9. How do I get straight information about funeral and cremation prices?
You can call, or better yet, visit several funeral homes. Be sure to ask for a General Price List. Also ask for a Casket Price List. They are not required by law to give the Casket Price List to you, but many reputable firms will. At Richmond Funeral Home, we are glad to provide this information to you and we will try to answer any specific questions about our costs or services. For information, please call or contact us.
(718) 351-4493

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10. Is funeral pre-planning always a good idea?
Funeral pre-planning really doesn't have any downside, provided a person does a little homework. Pre-planning is the process of gathering information on the more than 50 decisions that need to be made at the time of a death. These typically include the disposition arrangements (burial, cremation, entombment), decisions about visitation, funeral or memorial services, and merchandise (casket, urn, burial vault, etc). These are the basic decisions that determine the major portion of the cost of funeral arrangements. Some people may desire to go further and make decisions about flowers, music, scripture or readings for the service, and so on. In either case these decisions should be written down and communicated to a trusted friend or relative who may be in charge of carrying out the wishes.
Funeral providers generally have forms that can be used for this purpose and will maintain the decisions in their files if you wish. Richmond Funeral Home offers an on-line Pre-planning page that allows an individual the opportunity to convey their wishes. This can then be e-mailed to us for inclusion in our files or can be kept privately by the arranger by simply printing it out at home. Completing these decisions removes a large emotional burden from families at the time of death.

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11.What questions should I ask before pre-paying for a funeral?
Pre-paying funeral expenses can be a good way to complete the planning process. Most pre-payment plans guarantee that the planner will not have to pay extra at the time of the funeral since the earnings on the funding product offset any inflationary increases. It is always a good idea to first make sure all the prices for the services to be rendered are a good value. You should find out where the funds are being held if it is in trust and if the funds are FDIC insured. Also determine if there are any tax consequences to you. And make sure you understand completely what is guaranteed and what is not.

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12. If I choose to prepay, are my funds secure?
Yes! All funds are deposited in an FDIC insured account that is administered by PrePlan, New York State's largest funeral trust program. An additional consumer protection is that: (New York State law requires 100% of funds received for pre-paid funeral arrangements and all interest earned to accrue to the benefit of the trust.)

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13. What's the best way to go about selecting a funeral or cremation firm?
First determine what your needs and desires are for a funeral service.
Personal rapport with the staff is obviously very important. Do they answer all your questions willingly and honestly? Do they offer concrete suggestions consistent with your desires or do they try to fit you into their mold? Above all, do they seem like caring people?

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14. How can I get funeral and cremation information without having to go to a funeral home?
Websites like the Federal Trade Commission, AARP, and NFDA have good general information on funerals and cremation. The New York State Funeral Directors Association also has useful pamphlets and information. More funeral homes are developing websites, some of which contain valuable information. The Richmond Funeral Home site is located at www.richmondfuneral.com. You may wish to bookmark our site and use it as a reference.

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15. What are the rules for Catholics and cremation?
In 1963 an Instruction from the Holy Office lifted the ban on cremation for Roman Catholics, but it was not until 1997 that the Vatican allowed funeral Masses with the cremated remains present. The Church still prefers that the cremation follow the Mass, but this is no longer a requirement. The sanctity of the body requires that the body be placed in a 'worthy vessel' and not be scattered. The cremated remains should be buried in a grave, placed in a mausoleum or columbarium, or buried at sea. Since the application of these guidelines may vary from parish to parish, it is always best to check with the priest to get his views.

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16. Why is cremation becoming so popular?
While we know that cremation has increased dramatically in the past 10 years, the reasons why are not quite as obvious. The easing of restrictions by the Catholic Church has certainly had an effect. Cremation can be a lower-cost alternative than burial because most New York area cemeteries have limited available space and can be very costly. Options for scattering or burying cremated remains in a place of significance to the individual may be a factor. Some see cremation as a simpler way to go from "ashes to ashes, dust to dust". Others cite environmental reasons. And some simply don't like the idea of ground burial.

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17. Is cremation less expensive than Burial?
That really depends on the type of services one has prior to the final disposition. If a person selects a casket, has a wake and funeral service followed by cremation and chooses a cremation urn, the cost may be equivalent to a traditional funeral service followed by burial. At Richmond Funeral Home, we also offer a "rental casket" among our casket offerings that can result in cost savings. On the other hand, direct cremation with no embalming, viewing or services is usually the least expensive alternative. It is important to compare costs because even prices for the simplest services can vary considerably among funeral homes.

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18. What's the purpose of a burial vault and when are they required?
Outer interment containers, or burial vaults, as they are sometimes known, are typically required by many cemeteries in the New York area to shore up the earth above the casket and make lawn care easier to manage. The weight of cemetery equipment such as large trucks and backhoes would crush the casket if an outer container were not used. Many outer containers have special seals and linings that prevent water and other substances from entering the vault.

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19. What is the first thing to do if a loved one dies out of town?
If a person dies out of town and is to be returned to the home location, it usually is best to contact Richmond Funeral Home first. We can handle all arrangements in the out-of-town location and typically it is far less expensive to make arrangements this way rather than for the family to contact an out-of-town funeral home directly. We have a network program that allows us to handle a death anywhere in the world. It is important to remember that if you are traveling on vacation or have family living in a different state or country that wish to be brought home for burial, the first call after a death should be to Richmond Funeral Home. We will walk you through every step needed to have your loved one transported back home and help you to avoid many duplicate service charges that your family might incur by dealing with more than one funeral home in different localities.

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20. What exactly is embalming and how long does it last?
Embalming is a process of injecting preservative fluid through the arterial system to achieve temporary preservation of the body, usually for the purpose of having a visitation and/or funeral service. The duration of this preservation is difficult to predict since it is affected by many factors such as the cause of death, weight of the person, drug and other therapies they may have had, and burial conditions.

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21. What is the total cost of a funeral? What do I need to know to get the exact bottom line cost?
Funeral costs are divided into three main areas. The first includes the funeral provider's service charges for the type of service desired. These are contained in the General Price List. The second is composed of merchandise items such as caskets, vaults, printed materials, cremation urns, and so on. Finally, there are "cash advances"--items such as cemetery or crematory charges, livery, newspaper notices, flowers, clergy honoraria, and copies of the death certificate. To get an accurate idea of the funeral home's charges, it is necessary to total up the service and merchandise charges. Some firms may have higher service charges and lower casket prices; some may be just the opposite. The totals can vary anywhere from 10-40%. Kindly contact us for more information. We will be happy to discuss these costs with you or mail you a copy of our Genera Price List, upon request.

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22. What information does the law require funeral directors to give consumers?
The Federal Trade Commission Funeral Rule requires funeral providers to give information from their price lists to consumers who call on the telephone. Callers need not identify themselves. Most funeral homes will mail the General Price List if requested. If a consumer personally visits the provider, the representative must give the consumer a copy of the General Price List when a discussion of funeral pricing takes place. If caskets and outer interment containers are discussed, the consumer must be shown a copy of the Casket Price List and Outer Interment Receptacle Price List. The latter two lists do not by law have to be given to the consumer, only shown to them. Most reputable firms will provide copies of the list if asked.

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23. What makes one casket better than another?
All caskets serve the purpose of containing the remains for burial or cremation purposes. Whether one is "better" than another is a highly personal and subjective decision. Casket prices, however, vary depending on the outer materials used in their construction. The major difference is either metal or wood. Metal caskets can be designed to vacuum seal when locked. Wood, while not as durable, offers a rich beauty and conveys warmth, much like fine furniture. Within each of these categories there are a variety of price points. With wood there are simple fiberboard caskets, pines, hardwood veneers, solid hardwoods of increasing beauty such as oak, pecan, maple, cherry, mahogany and walnut. Within the metal caskets there are lightweight, non-protective and protective (20 gauge) steel, medium weight (18 gauge) steel, heavyweight (16 gauge) steel, semi-precious metals such as stainless steel, solid copper, and solid bronze. As the basic materials increase in cost, the casket finishes, hardware, and interior fabrics typically increase in quality and cost as well. At Richmond Funeral Home, we offer a large on-site selection of caskets and can arrange for custom embroidered interior panels, interchangeable corners and hardware options to make each funeral truly personal.

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24. Do I need to prepay funeral expenses if I already have a lot of insurance?
No. If a person's financial portfolio is extensive or there is ample insurance coverage, prepaying for funeral expenses may not be in the person's best interest, even though prepaid arrangements are guaranteed. However, if there is a serious heath condition or potential nursing home placement, it is always advantageous to pay the trust in full since you are legally allowed to protect the assets for funeral expenses before being placed on Medicaid. There may be reasons other than financial, however, for a person to pre-pay funeral expenses. This may be a way of insuring that the funeral plans are carried out exactly as specified or it may be a way of achieving calm in knowing that all expenses have been prepaid, leaving one less bill for your family. If you do not choose to pre-pay, the funeral arrangements will be honored as planned, but it will be your family's responsibility to pay the funeral expenses at whatever the current costs when the death occurs.

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25. Is it a good idea to put your funeral plans in your will?
Since wills are not usually read until after the funeral, it may not be effective to rely on this to make sure funeral plans are carried out. A better way is to execute a pre-planning document and distribute copies to the parties who are likely to be involved, such as the funeral provider and a trusted family member or friend. A will is an important estate-planning tool and we urge everyone to have a reputable attorney draw up the document. Without one, if no immediate family members can be located, upon death, the county Public Administrator, not your designated executor will be in charge of all financial affairs, including your funeral arrangements

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26. Should children be allowed to participate in the funeral process?
To the extent they are able, yes. It is important to explain the funeral process to children so they can understand what to anticipate. It is best to keep the explanation simple but factual and avoid words and images that might frighten a child. Remember too, however that although your children may be familiar with the words "dead" and "died" they may not comprehend their meaning in the same way that you do. Use the opportunity to allow them to ask questions. Allow them to reveal their fears and anxieties. Don't be afraid to express your own thoughts about loss. Giving a child a choice to participate or not is better than forcing a decision on the child. For those who wish to be present, it may be helpful to give them ways to express their feelings; even if they don't know what to say, they can draw a picture, help compose a note or be given some small task as part of the funeral process.

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27. What are the legal requirements for the disposition of cremated remains after cremation?
From a public health standpoint, once a person is cremated there are no further requirements. Local, state, or federal zoning or environmental regulations may affect the way in which cremated remains may be disposed of.

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28. How do I go about purchasing a monument?
We are fortunate to have several excellent Family Owned monument companies in the Staten Island area. We would be glad to give you a referral and support you in that process. We do not sell monuments, because we could not even begin to do justice to the creative artwork for which these companies are so well known. The style, size and color of the headstone may be limited by your cemetery's regulations. These factors will all be taken into consideration as you work with local professionals to design your tribute. If you already own a monument, they can assist you in adding additional lettering that will match the existing artwork.

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29. What are heirloom jewelry and keepsake urns?
Heirloom jewelry or keepsake pendants may contain a small portion of cremated remains, a lock of hair, or a dried flower from the funeral spray. Keepsake urns are miniature urns in which a small portion of the cremated remains may be placed. Some families may want to keep a small portion of the cremated remains while scattering or burying the rest. This also allows several family members to keep a portion of the cremated remains. For many people this is a powerful way to keep the presence of their loved one nearby. Richmond Funeral Home carries a full line of heirloom jewelry and keepsake urns.

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30. If a person has no relatives, how can they make sure their funeral wishes will be honored?
A person with no relatives can be sure that their wishes will be honored, by making prepaid arrangements with a funeral home. After doing so, it is imperative a copy of the pre-arrangement document be given to the person's attorney, close friend and/ or the retirement facility where they live. They may also carry a wallet identification card indicating that they have made pre-arrangements and instructing the police or medical facility who to notify in the event of death.

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31. Why do I need a funeral director when I really want to handle funeral details myself?
The State of New York requires a signature by a licensed funeral director on both the death certificate and disposition permit. Embalming, when requested, must be done by a licensed embalmer. The deceased's next of kin and other family members can carry out most other aspects of the funeral. Even here they may want the assistance of a funeral director to guide them through the many tasks that need to be accomplished upon the death of a loved one

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32. Are there any websites that are helpful to consumers who need information on planning a funeral or cremation?
The Richmond Funeral Home web site has a unique on line Pre-planning form, which allows you to gather the necessary information and consider the service options that are available to you, in the comfort of your home. Other informational sites include AARP and the Federal Trade Commission. In our Resources section, we list many helpful sites.

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33. Can a person who has had an autopsy or donated tissue still be embalmed and have an open casket?.
Yes! Our funeral directors are experts in embalming and restorative procedure and will make every effort to present your love one in a manner that we hope shall serve to help heal and comfort. An autopsy, or tissue donation, while they may sometimes delay scheduling the funeral, should not, of and by themselves, present any significant challenges that would preclude a family from selecting arrangements with an open casket. Sometimes severe trauma, or reactions to drug therapies or artificial respiration equipment, employed by hospitals and medical personnel in pursuit of life saving procedures, may present challenges that can not be overcome. These occasions are rare, but we will communicate any unusual conditions, to the family, as they become known. We are committed to continuing education and attend several seminars throughout the year learning about the latest embalming and restorative techniques and procedures. As a "Family Owned" funeral home, we are "accountable", and take great pride in trying to make every detail, especially the preparation of the deceased, perfect!

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34. Can I transfer my arrangements from another funeral home to Richmond Funeral Home, even if funds are held in an irrevocable trust?
Yes! We can assist you in transferring any pre-paid funeral arrangements from another funeral home at no additional cost, including irrevocable trust for Medicaid. While funds held in an irrevocable trust for Medicaid cannot be returned to the beneficiary, the funds can be transferred to another funeral home of your choice. You probably already know that several Staten Island funeral homes are no longer "Family Owned", but are part of a large multinational corporation, Service Corporation International (SCI). If you have made pre-arrangements with one of these firms and now wish to change funeral homes, or have recently been contacted by one the corporation's commissioned salespeople about doing so in the future, we can assist you in completing or transferring the arrangements you have already selected to Richmond Funeral Home at no additional cost. Because we are your caring neighbors, your peace of mind is important to us. We can arrange to schedule a time at your convenience to answer any questions you may have or we can even arrange to come to your home if you prefer. We will not call you; you must Contact Us. Remember, if you receive an unsolicited call suggesting that you pre-arrange your funeral, from the funeral home your family has always counted on in the past, chances are the funeral home was sold to a corporation, like SCI, and the voice at the end of the line is a telemarketer or commissioned salesperson.