Traditional Burial
We know losing a loved one can be an overwhelmingly emotional experience. SendOff will help guide you through burial arrangements and provide you with the information you need to feel confident in your choices.
A traditional burial generally includes the purchase of a full-size plot at a cemetery, a grave liner or vault, a memorial stone, and a casket. It is common for people to host a viewing and/or conclude their funeral ceremony at a graveside service with close friends and family. Though embalming can be chosen to preserve the body for public viewing, it is not required.
The SendOff team will discuss the various options and help you choose customized or traditional burial arrangements. And if you’re interested in learning more about green burial, we can help you with that too.
Traditional Burial Services and Pricing
Full-service burial
Our full-service burial package, which includes basic services of a funeral director and staff, a public or private viewing, coordination and execution of a SendOff event, and onsite support during the life celebration, starts at $8,395. Also included:
• Transfer of deceased to funeral home
• Embalming and restorative arts
• Cosmetology, dressing, casketing, and other body preparation
• Coordination with venue, catering company, etc., and streamlined invoicing
• Funeral coach and service vehicle for flower delivery
• Placement of casket and other memorabilia
• Graveside committal and burial oversight
• SendOff event set-up, direction of visitors, and event-day supervision
This full-service burial package does not include the cost of a casket or third-party charges pertaining to event venue, catering, etc.
Immediate burial
Our immediate burial package without a public memorial includes a proportionate share of our basic services of funeral director and staff, transfer of deceased to our facility, sheltering and care of the body until burial, and transportation of the deceased to the cemetery. Cost for these services starts at $4,185. (Does not include the cost of a casket.)
For more information about pricing, view our General Price List or contact SendOff for a detailed estimate.
Embalming
The embalming process slows the decomposition of a human body after death by replacing bodily fluids with chemicals and it must be performed by licensed funeral professionals. The use of embalming became popular in the United States during the Civil War as embalming was a way to preserve soldiers’ bodies for transportation back home. Today, most people choose to embalm the deceased to preserve appearances for open-casket viewing or for religious reasons.
If the deceased is being buried locally (the body doesn’t have to cross state lines) and within a specific time period, embalming is not a necessity.
A few things to consider:
If you’d like to have a public, open-casket viewing, embalming may be required.
Some religions prohibit embalming. We suggest talking to your religious leader to ensure you’re making a decision that aligns with any religious requirements.
What if the Deceased Didn’t Make Their Wishes Known?
If your loved one didn't express their wishes or document them in any way, consider the following:
Their religious affiliation and practices
Any specific comments about burial or cremation preferences (e.g. “Bury me in this outfit.” or “Put this on my gravestone.”)
Mention of a preferred cemetery or burial alongside family members
Your family's desire to visit a specific location
Type of disposition that will bring you and others the greatest amount of peace
Planning Ahead
Ensure your end-of-life wishes are documented in a legal, notarized document, and share them with your family. SendOff can guide you through the pre-planning process and connect you with the necessary resources, providing peace of mind for you and your family.
If you’ve experienced a death and require immediate support, or you want to start the conversation on pre-planning, call SendOff at 612-236-0141.