The Funeral Director's Role

There are few services you will need that are as sensitive or as personal as those provided by your funeral director. We don't claim to be grief experts, but we do know the death of a family member or friend is very difficult and emotional.

If no prior funeral arrangements have been made and the deceased's wishes are unknown, there are some major decisions that need to be made. Our job at McConnell Funeral Home and Cremations is to help you make them.

We have been providing our specialized service for many years and we understand everyone is unique - so no two funerals will be the same. Our professional staff can be of great help at such a difficult time. All religions are respected and every financial condition is catered for. At every instance the wishes of the family are primary.

Our role is to provide a style of service that individual families ask for.

How Our Funeral Director Can Assist You

From the very first call, our staff is here to help with all aspects of arranging a funeral. If the wishes of the deceased are known, some of the decision making for the family is easier. Our funeral director will guide, assist and advise you in selecting the funeral service you feel is most appropriate.

Some of the important decisions that must be made include:

• Choice of burial or cremation
• The day, time and place of the service
• Who will lead the service - a member of the clergy or a celebrant, or a family member or friend?
• Is a viewing appropriate?
• What type of casket?
• Who are the pallbearers?
• What kind of music will we have?
• Who will prepare a eulogy?
• What flowers, if any would be most appropriate?
• Would you like to place an obituary in a paper? Which paper?
• Would you like to arrange for people to be able to make donations to a particular charity in honor of the person?
• What special things can be done to personalize the ceremony?

Services Provided by Funeral Directors

Very few people realize the extent of a funeral director's role. It begins when we are first called, and ends only when we are satisfied the funeral service is as perfect and complete as we can make it, and the wishes of the family are fully met. It takes approximately forty hours of time by the funeral director and staff to professionally arrange and conduct every funeral.


The following is a general list of services we are able to provide:

• Prompt and personal attention at any time, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
• Transfer of the deceased from place of death to the funeral home.
• Personal consultation with the family about funeral arrangements and details for the service.
• Arranging with cemeteries of your choice or the crematory.
• All necessary arrangements with church, chapel or place of your choice.
• Registration of death certificates with the county clerks office.
• Consulting with clergy or celebrant.
• Writing and placement of obituary notices
• Supply of hearse and other funeral vehicles.
• Supply of cars to transport the family.
• Coordination with florists.
• Collection and return of floral tribute cards.
• Organization of music and/or musician of your choice.
• Memorial attendance books for friends and family to sign.
• Preparation of deceased for viewing.
• Memorial and Prayer Card stationery
• Referral to grief support if required.
• Referrals for after funeral refreshments/catering if requested.