WORKING OUT THE DETAILS
In times of grief, some family members find it difficult to recall personal or biographical information used to plan obituaries. By pre-planning, a person can make sure important details are included. He or she can even create a song selection or message others won’t know about until the time comes. “The hardest part is making the call and coming in,” says Hansen. For some people, it doesn’t matter whether they have an expensive casket, flowers or other merchandise because they won’t be “there.” Others believe funerals are a time for family to cope, and some may have a difficult time going the “cheaper” route. To avoid a potentially uncomfortable situation and disagreements between family members, it’s important to communicate one’s wishes regarding funeral details.

A TIME TO REMEMBER:
Hansen’s Serenity House is a unique option available to families who use Hansen Family Funeral & Cremation Services. Hansen’s Serenity House is a home away from home where the immediate family can gather. It features a Kitchen, Dining Room, Sitting Room and Viewing Chapel. This home is reserved the night before the public visitation. Hansen’s Serenity House gives the immediate family personal time to prepare for the funeral. Many families bring photographs. At Hansen’s we create a personalized DVD of their loved ones life, while the family is visiting with each other, sharing stories, eating a meal, saying goodbye privately with the support of their immediate family close by. Many work on creating their photo boards or writing their Eulogy. Children can watch movies or play in the play area while their family is visiting. John Hansen says “It’s more of a home setting versus an institution.” We are bringing back traditions that once were, and meeting in the comfort of a home was an important part of the healing process for the close family members.

A TIME TO COPE
Average funerals cost $5,000 to $6,000 and could rise above to $8,000 to $12,000 if the costs of the cemetery, lunch, flowers and other details are included. At Hansen Family Funeral & Cremation Services, families have options. John and Cheryl Hansen have invested in Hansen’s “Serenity House” rather than a traditional funeral home. In turn, they offer savings of $1,000 to $3,000 over most other localfuneral homes.

For just over $2,100., the Hansen’s offer a complete traditional funeral service, four hour visitation and use of Hansen’s Serenity House. Families don’t always have the resources to pay for a funeral, and some people cut back on important things and they shouldn’t have to. Even if you have money available, why spend extra when you do not have to. Take your extra money and upgrade your service with a limousine or nicer luncheon, donate it to your church or take it and use it for something else, like a vacation to get away and recuperate. I could think of many things to spend $1,000 to $3,000 on. I think you could too.

THROUGH IT ALL
Sometimes death occurs unexpectedly, and many family members think they have to do everything on their own. There are many things to consider when it comes to funerals, including choosing a funeral director, planning an obituary/death announcement, organizing the service, arranging the burial, planning the luncheon, and purchasing the flowers, cemetery monument, casket or cremation services. Hansen Family Funeral & Cremation Services helps with all these details to make things go smoothly during a time of loss.

“The funeral does not stop at the funeral home or the cemetery,” says Hansen, “We help people go through all of the important decisions and coordinate all of the details. We help guide the family through the next few days, weeks and months to come.” In addition to before, during and aftercare assistance, grief counseling is also an available option for families.