Does my loved one have to be embalmed prior to burial?

Many funeral homes suggest embalming if you're planning a viewing or visitation. That's because they want the experience to be as good as it can be for those in attendance, and proper embalming can ensure the deceased looks as good as possible. But as a general rule, embalming is not necessary or legally required if the body is cared for in a relatively short amount of time. Please contact us for more information.

Do I have to buy a headstone or grave marker?

The cemetery will put a temporary identification marker on your loved one's grave, but it is only intended as a placeholder until a permanent headstone or grave marker is set in place. Without one, your loved one's burial site will, when this temporary marker becomes illegible or is somehow removed, appear "unmarked".

Can I personalize a funeral I am planning?

Although there are certain aspects of a funeral service program that are traditionally retained, you are free to personalize the service and ceremony as you wish. In fact, more and more people are opting for non-traditional ceremonies, and some don’t even call this service a funeral. There is no right or wrong way to honor the life of a loved one. How you choose to say goodbye depends on your family, your loved one, and the way you think you can best honor their memory.

Things to Look for in a Funeral Home When Planning a Funeral and Cremation in Waco, TX

Waco Memorial Funeral Home, Cemetery & Cremations is here to provide you with the best funeral and cremation services possible. Since 1947, we offer a variety of services, such as burial, cremation, and military funerals in Waco, TX and the surrounding areas. We also have a pre-planning program that can help you plan your funeral so that everything is done the way you want. We aim to make this process as easy and stress-free for you as possible. We are here to listen to you and to ensure that the services you've chosen are what your loved one would have wanted. We also know that every family is different and that each person grieves in their own way. That's why our funeral directors work closely with families to create unique and personalized services that reflect the life of your loved one. Contact us today at (254) 662-3430 to learn more about how we can help you.

Do you need to find a quality funerary provider in a short amount of time? Here are some things you can look for to spot a reputable provider of services, like a funeral and cremation in Waco, TX.

Experience Matters

First, you'll want to learn about the business. How long has it been operating? Who owns and runs the day-to-day affairs? What is the collective experience of the staff and licensed funeral professionals? There is not necessarily a "right" answer to any of these but knowing the answers can help you make an informed decision and gain clarity about the expertise the facility can offer you. There is no substitute for experience in something like death care.

Read the Funeral Home Testimonials and Reviews

Ask around if you can and find out who your friends or acquaintances would recommend in the area. Read the published reviews and testimonials that are available online. When considering these opinions, remember that each story has multiple sides. However, getting a glimpse into other perspectives can be enlightening. Couple this research with a conversation with the professionals at the business so you can also make your own assessment.

Learn About What Types of Funeral Services Are Offered and How Customizable These Options Are

If you are sure, you want cremation services and the facility you are considering does not offer that service, you'll want to know that sooner than later. Choosing a facility that provides a wide range of services can be super helpful as you work through these decisions since you know that your trusted provider can do it all.

Technology Options for Your Funeral Services

Do you need live streaming services so distant family and friends can participate in the funeral service or memorial service? What about recordings of the services? There are often many possible solutions, but your provider will need to know what you want early in the process to have a smooth operation.

Choosing a Cemetery

With funeral and cremation in Waco, TX, you may need to choose a cemetery for the final disposition. A cemetery is a burial ground that holds space (often above or below ground) to receive deceased persons' remains. Full caskets or shrouded remains can be buried in underground plots, crypts, or mausoleums above the earth. Cremated remains can also be buried in the soil or inurned and secured in a columbarium niche.

It is a good idea to find out what your expected funeral costs will be both in the plot purchase and any fees that will be assessed for opening and securing the site's closure. Additionally, find out how the grounds are maintained and if the family will owe dues or annual fees to help sustain the upkeep. Lastly, do not overlook the need to determine the specific rules that govern the location so that you are sure you are comfortable with the management, décor and seasonal limitations, and stipulations regarding headstone size, materials, etc.

What Type of Death Care Do I Need?

There is no one-size-fits-all honoring or body preparation format. Budgets, values, and preferences will play a vital role in these personal decisions. Many families do their best to balance what is known of the decedent's wishes and the needs of the surviving family to design arrangements that will bring healing and peace.

Honoring with Funeral Services

Funeral services can be small, intimate gatherings or significant publicly viewed events. The loss of loved ones is poignant and challenging to face. The funeral service causes a natural interruption to our everyday routine and helps us face the reality of this transition. Grief experts agree that funeral services support a healthy start on the arduous path after loss. Since the deceased's body is a prominent part of funeral services, the funeral is usually scheduled as soon as possible after death.

Respectfully Caring for Remains Via Cremation Services

Often, a funeral is followed by a burial in a cemetery. However, an alternative that continues to gain popularity is to have the body cremated after funerary events are complete. Cremation is a way to care for the remains. This procedure bypasses the decomposition process by vaporizing by fire all the softer tissues and fluids of the corpse. The most rigid sections of the bones that did not thoroughly burn are the only visible remains after the incineration. These bones are granularized into small pieces and returned to the family for final disposition.

Work with Experienced Professionals Who Can Handle Every Detail for You

We are grateful for the opportunity to support our clients through the tenderest of times with affordable, quality deathcare services. When you choose a funerary firm that can offer all the services you need, from funeral and cremation in Waco, TX, and burial solutions at a lovely cemetery, look no further than Waco Funeral Home and Memorial Park. Come and see our grounds and learn more at 6623 Interstate 35 S, Robinson, TX 76706 by calling (254) 662-1051 to arrange an appointment.

Does my loved one have to be embalmed prior to burial?

Many funeral homes suggest embalming if you're planning a viewing or visitation. That's because they want the experience to be as good as it can be for those in attendance, and proper embalming can ensure the deceased looks as good as possible. But as a general rule, embalming is not necessary or legally required if the body is cared for in a relatively short amount of time. Please contact us for more information.
Do I have to buy a headstone or grave marker?

The cemetery will put a temporary identification marker on your loved one's grave, but it is only intended as a placeholder until a permanent headstone or grave marker is set in place. Without one, your loved one's burial site will, when this temporary marker becomes illegible or is somehow removed, appear "unmarked".
Can I personalize a funeral I am planning?

Although there are certain aspects of a funeral service program that are traditionally retained, you are free to personalize the service and ceremony as you wish. In fact, more and more people are opting for non-traditional ceremonies, and some don’t even call this service a funeral. There is no right or wrong way to honor the life of a loved one. How you choose to say goodbye depends on your family, your loved one, and the way you think you can best honor their memory.

Waco Memorial Funeral Home, Cemetery & Cremations

6623 Interstate 35

S Robinson, TX 76706

365 Days of Grief Support

Visit www.prepaidfunerals.texas.gov for information relating to the purchase of preneed funeral contracts including descriptions of the trust and insurance funding options available under state law.

Complaints concerning perpetual care cemeteries should be directed to: Texas Department of Banking, 2601 North Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78705; 1-877-276-5554 (toll free); www.dob.texas.gov