Is embalming required?

      Embalming is not required.  Embalming is necessary, however, for certain arrangements, such as a funeral with a viewing.  Direct cremation and immediate burial are types of services that may not require embalming.

How much does Social Security pay toward funeral expenses?

      Social Security pays a $255.00 death benefit to a surviving spouse or dependent child.  Funeral Directors file a Statement of Death Form SSA-721 to the Social Security Administration at death.  There is not a death benefit for a person that is single or divorced at death.  The local phone number for Social Security is 662-328-5112 or call 1-800-772-1213 for general information and services.

What is the first step if death occurs locally or out of town?

      Hospital staff, nursing home staff, hospice nurses, coroners, and medical examiners are all trained to assist with contacting funeral directors.  The funeral director will then start to take charge of the initial arrangements.

Does the funeral home help with contacting the Veterans Administration?

      Normally, funeral directors only need discharge papers (DD-214) to contact the appropriate branch of service for military services.  This also allows funeral directors to file for VA burial benefits, application for standard government headstone or marker, and application for United States flag forms.  Contact the VA at 1-800-827-1000 for more information.

Is the opening and closing of the grave charge included in the cost of the funeral?

      This charge is not part of the funeral home's charge for services.  In most cases, this charge is included in the cash advance section of the statement of funeral goods and services as a convenience to the family.  Funeral homes also offer to include other cash advance items such as certified death certificates, clergy honorariums, and hairdresser fees.

If cremation is chosen, can there still be a visitation and funeral?

      Yes.  Cremation is a form of disposition just like burial.  Families often choose to have a viewing or funeral before cremation.  Families also have memorial services at a funeral home, church, home, or graveside.  The cremains may or may not be present for memorial services.  Funeral directors have a selection of urns.

Are all caskets waterproof?

      No.  All hardwood caskets are not protective.  Most metal caskets are protective.  Rental caskets are also available.  This allows a family to have a viewing and or funeral before cremation.

What should be brought to the funeral home when making arrangements?

      Families should bring clothes (including underclothes), vital statistics such as social security and date of birth, and all related paperwork such as insurance, veterans, and cemetery papers.

How long does it take to receive a certified death certificate?

      Once the funeral home has received the original certificate from a doctor or coroner, a week to ten days in Mississippi.  It normally takes longer if death occurs out of state.

Is a vault required at the cemetery?

      Most cemeteries where we live do not require an outer container.  Funeral directors will inform the family when an outer container requirement, or other requirement, is necessary.  The word vault is used to describe an outer container that is waterproof by an air seal or top seal.  There are other outer containers that do pass cemetery requirements that are not considered a vault, such as a concrete box or metal grave liner.

Does your funeral home offer a payment plan?

      No.  Gunter & Peel does not offer an at-need payment plan.  In certain circumstances, when proof of payment is definite, we do extend terms.  Gunter & Peel is willing to wait and help with the filing of insurance policies.  Pre-arrangement is the recommended payment plan at Gunter & Peel.  This payment plan guarantees a frozen cost for the funeral which allows the recipient to receive an inflation proof payment at no tax or interest.

How do flowers make it to the cemetery?

      Florists deliver flowers to the funeral home.  The directors at Gunter & Peel place and arrange the flowers for the visitation and funeral.  The funeral home staff is also responsible for transporting and arranging flowers for church services.  Before the committal service takes place at the graveside, the flowers are arranged once again at the graveside before the family arrives.

Are limousines made available for the family?

      At Gunter & Peel, we do not offer limousines as part of our standard services.  We do, however, have access to limousine services if a request is made by a family.

Can a pre-arrangement be transferred to your funeral home?

      We do welcome pre-arrangement transfer.  We do, however, recognize that it may be too inconvenient for all involved not to transfer certain pre-arrangements.  Bring your policies or arrangements to a funeral professional at Gunter & Peel for an assessment of your policies or pre-arrangements.