Resources

The cemetery family counselor's job is to assist the bereaved in various ways to help them through the loss of a loved one, and provides bereavement and consolation services for the living, in addition to making arrangements for the cremation, burial, and memorial services for the deceased. 

The main types of cemetery services include the traditional burial service, cremation service, mausoleum entombment, committal service, and memorial services that can include markers and monuments

Yes, cremation or burial is merely the disposition of the body.

Pre-arranging cemetery services can be done regardless of the final disposition. Pre-arranging is simply recording your wishes with the cemetery and prefunding if you choose to do so.

• Advance Directives - If the deceased left any written advance directives concerning the disposition of his remains and memorialization, you need to bring them with you. These instructions may be found in a will, or there may be a formally witnessed disposition directive, funeral pre-arrangements, or a pre-need contract.
• Military Discharge Papers
• Details on any cemetery property owned by the deceased or the family (grave plot, columbarium space, etc.)
• Recent photograph of the deceased and any personal effects that you wish to be included in the viewing or burial
• Specific information on the deceased: 
•     Full legal name
•     Address
•     Marital status
•     Social Security number
•     Date of birth
•     Place of birth (city and state)
•     Educational history (number of years of schooling)
•     Armed Forces service dates and serial number
•     Occupation or profession
•     Parent's names, including mother's maiden name
•     Next of kin and other survivors