What purpose does a funeral serve?

It is the customary way to recognize death and its finality. Funerals are recognized rituals for the living to show respect for the dead and to help survivors begin the grief process.

What do funeral directors do?

Funeral directors are caregivers and administrators. They make the arrangements for transportation of the body, complete all necessary paperwork, and implement the choices made by the family regarding the funeral and final disposition of the body. Funeral directors are listeners, advisors and supporters. They have experience assisting the bereaved in coping with death. Funeral directors are trained to answer questions about grief, recognize when a person is having difficulty coping, and recommend sources of professional help. Funeral directors also link survivors with support groups at the funeral home or in the community.

Why have a public viewing?

Viewing is part of many cultural and ethnic traditions. Many grief specialists believe that viewing aids the grief process by helping the bereaved recognize the reality of death. Viewing is encouraged for children, as long as the process is explained and the activity voluntary.

Is it possible to have a traditional funeral if someone dies of AIDS?

Yes, a person who dies of an AIDS-related illness is entitled to the same service options afforded to anyone else. If public viewing is consistent with local or personal customs, that option is encouraged. Touching the deceased's face or hands is perfectly safe. Because the grief experienced by survivors may include a variety of feelings, survivors may need even more support than survivors of non-AIDS-related deaths.

Isn't burial space becoming scarce?

While it is true some metropolitan areas have limited available cemetery space, in most areas of the country, there is enough space set aside for the next 50 years without creating new cemeteries. In addition, land available for new cemeteries is more than adequate, especially with the increase in entombment and multi-level grave burial.

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What is the purpose of embalming?

Embalming sanitizes and preserves the body, retards the decomposition process, and enhances the appearance of a body disfigured by traumatic death or illness. Embalming makes it possible to lengthen the time between death and the final disposition, thus allowing family members time to arrange and participate in the type of service most comforting to them.

Does a dead body have to be embalmed, according to law?

In New York State, embalming is not required by law. If you do not want embalming, you have the right to choose an arrangement which does not require you to pay for embalming such as direct cremation or direct burial. If you select certain funeral arrangements, such as viewing or an open casket funeral, embalming may be required by the funeral firm."

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Is cremation a substitute for a funeral?

No, cremation is an alternative to earth burial or entombment for the body's final disposition and often follows a traditional funeral service.

So, I've decided on cremation. Can I still have a funeral or a viewing?

Yes, quite often some sort of viewing precedes the actual cremation. We can assist you with the options available for a funeral with a cremation following or a memorial service.

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What do funerals cost?

We know it is important to fully understand your options for a funeral service and what it will cost. One of our goals is to help you keep funeral costs within your means, while planning a special tribute to a loved one. A funeral home is a 24-hour, labor-intensive business, with extensive facilities. These expenses must be factored into the cost of a funeral. Moreover, the cost of a funeral includes not only merchandise, like caskets, but the services of a funeral director in making arrangements; filing appropriate forms; dealing with doctors, clergy, florists, newspapers and others; and seeing to all the necessary details. Simpson - Gaus Funeral Home is a family-owned corporation.

What recourse does a consumer have for poor service or overcharging?

Funeral service is regulated by the FTC and state licensing boards. In most cases, the consumer should discuss problems with the funeral director first. If the dispute cannot be solved by talking with the funeral director, the consumer may wish to contact the State of New York Department of Health, 433 River Street, Suite 303, Troy, NY 12180.

Do funeral directors take advantage of the bereaved?

Funeral directors are caring individuals who help people deal with a very stressful time. They serve the same families 80% of the time, and many have spent most of their lives in the same community. If they took advantage of bereaved families, they could not stay in business. The fact that the average funeral home has been in business over 59 years shows that most funeral directors respect the wishes of the bereaved families.

Who pays for funerals for the indigent?

Ulster County provides a reimbursement to funeral homes who provide a funeral for a person who dies without adequate funds to pay for a basic dignified funeral. This reimbursement is not a benefit to be used to select a funeral of a higher value, rather, it is there when no other options for payment are available.

Who is eligible?

Any recipient of public assistance, or any person found dead in the welfare district, if the decedent leaves no funds sufficient to pay the expenses of burial and there are no known relatives, friends, or personal representatives liable or willing to accept responsibility for such expenses. The fact that an individual was receiving financial assistance through Social Services or SSI is not an automatic entitlement for County burial. All of the decedent's assets/resources, including, but not limited to cash, bank accounts, insurance policies, burial funds must be utilized toward burial prior to County involvement.

How to apply:

Active Medicaid recipients in Ulster County would generally be approved by phone. There are other situations that require the family/friend to personally apply for a Social Service funeral.

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What should I do if the death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend?

We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Click here for more information.

Will someone come right away?

Once a physician, Hospice or Medical Examiner has been notified. They will advise you if medical personnel will be coming to make a pronouncement of death. We will assist you with that procedure and then ask when we should come. Should you wish to spend time with the deceased to say good bye, it's acceptable. We will come when your time is right.

If a loved one dies out of state , can the local Funeral Home still help?

Yes, we can assist you with out-of-state (or out-of-country) arrangements, either to transfer the deceased to another state or from another state.

Where can I find more information about what to do when a death occurs, as well as veterans and social secuirty benefits?

We have provided all that information for you. Follow these links for more information on what to do when a death occurs and social secuirty benefits.

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When a family member or friend has died, it is important to notify various government agencies, banks, creditors and credit reporting agencies of the death. To reduce the risk of identity theft, these notifications should be made promptly after the death.

To expedite notification, you should initially make the contact by telephone followed by written verification. For many of the government agencies and financial entities, you will need the decedent's social security number, a copy of the death certificate, and, if you are a personal representative (executor) of the estate, your appointment form from the probate court. Make sure to retain copies of all notices that you send.

Below is a checklist of possible agencies and businesses that should be notified of the death. Because each individual case is unique, the list may not be complete. Also, the funeral home may have notified some of the government agencies on your behalf. Please consult with the funeral director when you receive this list so you can check off those agencies which have been notified by the funeral director.

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