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Proudly Serving Blue Ridge, Blairsville, Hiawassee, McCaysville, Murphy and the surrounding communities.

Funeral & Burial Questions

Frequently Asked Questions: Funeral & Burial

 

Below is a list of questions and responses that we commonly receive at the funeral home. We will continue to include any new questions in this section that we feel would be helpful to others.

If you have a question that has not been covered in this site we would like to hear from you. You may use the "Ask the Director" section of our site to forward your question or comments to us.

If you would prefer to call us on the telephone, our staff would be pleased to provide an answer to any funeral related matter you may have. If we do not have the answer immediately, we will find it for you and contact you the minute the information is in our hands.

 

1. What Purpose Does A Funeral Serve?
 
2. What Do Funeral Directors Do?
 
3. Do You Have To Be A Funeral Director To Bury The Dead?
 
4. Why Have A Public Viewing?
 
5. Is It Possible To Have A Traditional Funeral If Someone Dies Of AIDS?
 
6. Isn't Burial Space Becoming Scarce?
 

Question #1What Purpose Does A Funeral Serve?
Answer: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.

Question #2What Do Funeral Directors Do?
Answer: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.

Question #3Do You Have To Be A Funeral Director To Bury The Dead?
Answer:In most states, family members may bury their own dead although regulations vary. However, most people find it very trying to be solely responsible for arranging the details and legal matters surrounding a death.

Question #4Why Have A Public Viewing?
Answer: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.

Question #5Is It Possible To Have A Traditional Funeral If Someone Dies Of AIDS?
Answer: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.

Question #6Isn't Burial Space Becoming Scarce?
Answer: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.

Our Services

We understand that it is not always possible to pay respects in person, & hope that this small token will help. You can search for your loved one using the form below.

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Book of Memories

The pinnacle of memorialization, any family member or friends can take advantage of this free services by creating an account and a book to memorialize their loved one.

Immediate Need

If you have immediate need of our services, we're available for you 24 hours a day.

Obituaries & Tributes

It is not always possible to pay respects in person, so we hope that this small token will help.

Pre-Arrangement

Dying is one of the few events in life that's certain to occur, yet one we rarely plan for. Should we spend more time preparing for a two week vacation than we do our last days on Earth?

Expressions of Sympathy

It can be difficult to find the right words, so we have hand-picked a collection of sympathy and remembrance gifts that will be cherished.

Order Flowers

Offer a gift of comfort and beauty to a family suffering from loss.

Daily Grief Support by Email

Grieving doesn't always end with the funeral: subscribe to our daily grief support email, designed to help you a little bit every day, by filling out the form below.

Weekly Email Tips to Support a Grieving Friend

Those grieving are in great need of support. If a close friend has recently experienced a loss, fill out the form below to subscribe to our weekly tips and find out how you can be most helpful.

Proudly Serving the Communities of Blue Ridge, Blairsville, Hiawassee, McCaysville, and Murphy
(706) 632-5968 Blue Ridge | 3911 Appalachian Highway | Blue Ridge, GA Fannin, GA 30513 | Fax: (706) 632-3039 | Email: steve@cochranservices.com (706) 745-2156 Blairsville | 41 Hunt-Martin Street | Blairsville, GA 30514 | Fax: (706) 745-2269 | Email: brandon@cochranservices.com (828) 837-9599 Murphy | 4334 US 64 East Alt. | Murphy, NC 28906 | Fax: (828) 837-9464 | Email: steve@cochranservices.com (706) 896-6000 Hiawassee | 177 Rice Street | Hiawassee, GA 30546 | Fax: (706) 847-4108 | Email: brandon@cochranservices.com (706) 492-3321 McCaysville | 1478 Blue Ridge Dr. | McCaysville, GA 30555 | Fax: (706) 492-3374 | Email: steve@cochranservices.com