Pre-arranging a funeral assures that decisions are made without undo stress in regard to a loved one's passing. In an at need situation, decisions must be made within hours of a death. The time pressure and emotional turmoil can be avoided with pre-arrangement. Pre-arranging can also be accomplished over a period of time allowing family members out of state to be involved and to be fully aware of decisions.
Many people pay in advance because of the guarantees we give that the guaranteed pre-paid arrangements will not exceed what is in the contract at the time of need. Many people like the idea that family members will not have to pay any additional money at the time of their death.
Many people pay in advance because of Medicaid considerations. If someone in the family is seeking state assistance, funds for funeral and burial costs can be paid in advance and will be exempted from being counted as an asset. This allows for funeral funding at your desired level and admittance to Medicaid.
All cemeteries in our area require some type of burial vault to assure the grave will not need additional fill over time. We offer concrete burial vaults which withstand many thousands of pounds of weight. Steel and copper burial vaults are also available. Most of the burial vaults we offer seal in order to keep outside elements from the casket.
Caskets are made of different materials, have different features and cost from $395.00 and up. We feature Aurora and Batesville caskets. Most are steel, available without or with a rubber gasket which allows the casket to be tightly closed to help prevent the entrance of outside material. Other metal caskets are made of Stainless Steel, Copper, and Bronze. Many people choose a wood casket, available in Poplar, Oak, Cherry, Walnut or Mahogany, because of the warmth and beauty of the wood. Wood caskets can not be sealed. The choice of a casket is a personal choice, different for each person. Pre-arrangement often is helpful in choosing a casket because of the many choices and the absence of stress.
In most cases, embalming is not required. However, if an open casket or service with a viewing of the deceased is chosen, embalming is recommended and is the norm.
Like many consumer decisions, costs can vary over a wide range. We are proud to offer choices in services and merchandise which will fulfill any one's needs. Service packages are available from $1100.
The 8000 square foot building in operation since 1986 is the first handicapped accessible funeral home in Hamilton. There are no steps or ramps. Our funeral chapels can accommodate small private services or the larger chapel can seat over 130 people. Ample parking is on site with additional parking nearby, if needed.
8. Why should I choose a family owned funeral home like Weigel Funeral Home?
Our funeral home is wholly owned and operated by Robert L. Weigel. All questions can be answered by the owner, not some corporate office in a different state. Three funeral homes in Butler County are corporately owned: Kowalk, at Rose Hill Burial Park, owned by SCI in Houston, Texas; Webb-Noonan, owned by the Hamilton Group in San Diego, California and a funeral home in Middletown is owned by Carriage Corporation. Family owned funeral homes generally have a greater concern and involvement in the community. We have traditionally put service first, ahead of an arbitrary return on investment figure.
9. Can pre-funded funerals be changed from one funeral home to another?
Yes. After all, it is your money and your
contract. All of our contracts are transferable, as it should be with
other funeral homes. Feel free to call us if you have pre-planned
with a funeral home which has been sold to an out of state owner.
Transfers of insurance contracts or bank trusts are routine, resulting in your plans being completed at a locally owned funeral home where the owner is personally known by the consumer.
Consumer Warning! Do not consider plans which are not transferable. Cemeteries sell merchandise under their contracts and the buyer will not be able to change any terms such as transferring the contract to another funeral home to save money or select a different casket, vault or marker. Every funeral director in this area has had calls from patrons wanting to change a purchase from cemetery sales organizations only to be told his only recourse was to lose his money as none are transferable to another independent funeral home.
11. Consumer Warning! Purchasing merchandise from other than the funeral home providing services.
Consumer Warning! In the 1980's the Federal Trade
Administration adopted rules for funeral homes nationwide. One of these
rules adopted was one concerning purchase of merchandise from other than the funeral home providing services. All funeral homes must accept, without additional charges, merchandise from third parties. These third parties may be other funeral homes, cemeteries or casket stores. A recent survey of costs in the area indicate that corporately owned funeral homes are selling caskets for as much as $1000 more than the cost at Weigel Funeral Home for the same item. We would be able to provide the merchandise for you at the lower price or even the full service. That is why the funeral consumer needs to be cognizant of these factors and not rush into a purchase without due consideration and investigation into various alternatives. Feel free to call us and we can advise you even if you choose another funeral home. We enjoy helping people and making friends for the future.
Call us at 1-513-892-1524 or email us at weigelfuneralhome@fuse.net for more information, or check our links page for additional information on many different subjects.
