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Obituaries & Tributes

609-499-2900
Immediate Need

214 West Front St.
Florence, NJ
609-499-2900
Click here for Maps & Directions

869 Beverly Rd.
Burlington, NJ
609-386-4567
Click here for Maps & Directions

41 Main St.
Southampton, NJ
609-859-9200
Click here for Maps & Directions

Our Services

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Frequently Asked Questions

We are happy to answer any and all questions which come our way – and we hear some over and over again. Those are the ones we’ve included in this section of the website.

However, if you’re question isn’t listed, don’t hesitate to email us. If yours is an urgent need, please call.

1. What is a funeral?
 
2. What is the significance of a funeral service?
 
3. How much does a funeral cost?
 
4. What methods may I use to pay for the funeral?
 
5. Can I make my funeral arrangements before I die?
 
6. How do I make funeral arrangements?
 
7. What is a pre-arranged funeral?
 
8. How do I make funeral arrangements?
 
9. What type of funeral service should I have?
 
10. Can I personalize my funeral service?
 
11. Why should we have a public viewing?
 
12. What should I do if a death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend?
 
13. What should I do if a death occurs while away from home?
 
14. What has to be done when a family member passes away while on a trip out of town?
 
15. What has to be done when a death occurs in one city and the funeral service will be held in another city?
 
16. If our loved one is being transferred to another city for a funeral service and burial, can we also gather family and friends for a local service?
 
17. What happens if I have a problem with how a funeral was handled?
 
18. Why do we need an obituary notice?
 
19. What is included in an obituary?
 
20. What is embalming?
 
21. What is embalming and is it necessary before services are held?
 
22. Is embalming necessary?
 
23. What is involved in cremation?
 
24. Do I need a casket if I choose cremation?
 
25. How can we memorialize cremation?
 
26. Can I have a visitation period and a funeral service if cremation is chosen?
 
27. What can be done with the cremated remains?
 
28. Are the services held before or after cremation?
 
29. Are special cremation containers and caskets available?
 
30. How many types of caskets exist, and why are some more expensive than others?
 
31. Can a funeral home assist me with Social Security benefits and Veteran death benefits?
 

Question #1What is a funeral?
Answer:A funeral is a time when friends and family gather to celebrate a life and mourn the loss of a loved one. They occur in cultures and societies around the world, and have deep personal and social significance. We know a funeral is the starting point of the recovery process and the first step toward healing.

Question #2What is the significance of a funeral service?
Answer:From the beginning of recorded history, societies have honored those who die with a ceremony. In the beginning, the purpose of the ritual was to send the deceased on his or her journey into the afterlife.

Today, however, many experts agree that the benefits of a service are for those who remain behind. A "closure" of sorts must occur to help survivors adjust to their loss and recognize that a death has occurred. A funeral service provides the opportunity for friends and family to celebrate the life that was lived and allows the healing process to begin.

Question #3How much does a funeral cost?
Answer:The cost of a funeral depends entirely on your wishes for the funeral. Funeral costs are made up of professional services, charges for transporting the body and presentation of the body, casket costs, vehicle charges, and fees for the doctor, minister, or cremation. Personalizing a funeral is also a factor in the cost. While we have many options to help you memorialize your loved one in a meaningful way, those options all have costs attached.

Question #4What methods may I use to pay for the funeral?
Answer:Funeral costs may be paid by cash, check, VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover or an assignment of verified insurance benefits. Many families choose easy payment plans available through preplanning. This important decision can limit or eliminate the financial burden when the death of a loved one occurs.

Question #5Can I make my funeral arrangements before I die?
Answer:Yes, preplanning is one of the most caring things you can do for your family or loved ones. It provides them with a clear picture of your final wishes and relieves them from having to worry about how you would really prefer to be remembered. These plans may be as simple or as elaborate as you choose - and keep in mind that making personal and meaningful plans does not have to mean added expense. You can comfortably prefund your arrangements to alleviate placing future financial burdens on your family. The preplanning process allows you to plan at your own pace, equipped with facts and ample information, so that you feel comfortable about the choices you make. Oftentimes, making arrangements in advance also guarantees a service and funeral at today's prices, free from inflation. We can assist you with your prearrangement needs. You can also visit www.simplicityplan.com for more information.

Question #6How do I make funeral arrangements?
Answer:You can call a funeral director to make an appointment or plan it online. We offer this service free of charge, and without obligation.

Question #7What is a pre-arranged funeral?
Answer:A pre-arranged funeral is a funeral arrangement made prior to death. You can pre-arrange your own funeral or you can pre-arrange a funeral for a loved one. Pre-arrangement is a way for you to make sure your life is celebrated in a way that is meaningful to you. It also relieves your loved ones of the burden of arranging a funeral for you.

Question #8How do I make funeral arrangements?
Answer:You can call a funeral director to make an appointment or plan it online. We offer this service free of charge.

Question #9What type of funeral service should I have?
Answer:The answer to that question is very personal – how would you like it to be? A funeral service can be open to the public or accessible by invitation only. You can choose a large service or a small one. And, if you’re deeply religious, you can follow the liturgy of your faith.

Perhaps you want something completely out-of-the-ordinary, and that’s possible too. Our funeral directors are trained to provide you with support and guidance to help you plan a funeral that truly reflects your needs and desires.

Question #10Can I personalize my funeral service?
Answer:In a word, yes. We believe that each funeral should reflect the life of the deceased – and no two people are the same. We invite – no, we encourage –you to let us know exactly how you want you or your loved one to be remembered, and we will do our best to create a ceremony that will truly celebrate the life lived.

Question #11Why should we have a public viewing?
Answer:Not every tradition encourages a public viewing, but we believe that they serve a purpose. In making a viewing part of your funeral service, you provide a certain amount of closure to all in attendance. This isn’t just our opinion; studies show that viewing the body helps everyone recognize the reality of death which is an important stepping stone in the grieving process.

Question #12What should I do if a death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend?
Answer:It’s simple: call us. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you need immediate assistance, one of our funeral directors will be there.

Question #13What should I do if a death occurs while away from home?
Answer:It’s comforting to know that our funeral directors can help you no matter where a death has occurred.  We’ll take care of everything from bringing your loved one back home; to helping you arrange the service. All you need to do is call us. We’ll take care of the rest.

Question #14What has to be done when a family member passes away while on a trip out of town?
Answer:When a family member passes away while out of town, contact your local funeral arranger. The arranger can assist you in selecting an out-of-town funeral arranger, who will handle all the necessary details in the distant city, state or country. Working together, the two funeral arrangers will gather all the necessary information to allow for the transfer of your family member back to your local area.

Question #15What has to be done when a death occurs in one city and the funeral service will be held in another city?
Answer:A death that occurs away from your loved one’s hometown may be an unusual experience for you and your family. However, funeral arrangers are trained and experienced in handling the details necessary when this happens. The local funeral arranger can assist you in selecting a funeral home in the city where the services are to be held and will help coordinate the transportation of your loved one to the care of a funeral arranger in that city.

Question #16If our loved one is being transferred to another city for a funeral service and burial, can we also gather family and friends for a local service?
Answer:Yes. The funeral arranger can work with the family to organize a time and place either before or after the transfer for family and friends to gather to celebrate special memories of the decedent and to support each other during the time of loss.

Question #17What happens if I have a problem with how a funeral was handled?
Answer:If you’re not satisfied with how we attempt to resolve the issue, then you can reach out to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and/or our state licensing board.

Consumer Response Center, Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC  20580

www.ftc.gov

1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357).

Question #18Why do we need an obituary notice?
Answer:An obituary notice is helpful for friends and family of the deceased. It informs them that a death has occurred and gives them information about the service.  Obituaries can be placed in newspapers and online.

Question #19What is included in an obituary?
Answer:"Funeral arrangements are being made by the funeral home and will be announced at a later date."

You may wish to add additional details, such as the names of any children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, parents, other close relatives or special friends. You may wish to write about the deceased’s life, accomplishments and legacy. You may suggest preferred charities for memorial contributions and let people know if you would rather not receive flowers.

Question #20What is embalming?
Answer:Embalming is the temporary disinfection, preservation, and restoration of the body. During the embalming process, the body is washed and dressed and cosmetics are applied.

Question #21What is embalming and is it necessary before services are held?
Answer:Embalming is the temporary preservation of a person’s remains using a chemical process. This procedure allows family and friends an opportunity to say their good-byes. We require embalming when a public viewing is planned as part of the service.

Question #22Is embalming necessary?
Answer:If the body has to be transported to a country that requires embalming, then yes, it is necessary. Otherwise the decision is up to you. Some religious traditions forbid embalming. If your religion allows it, we recommend embalming if there is a long wait before burial or cremation.

Question #23What is involved in cremation?
Answer:The casket or container is placed in the cremation chamber where the temperature reaches 1,400-1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. After approximately 2.5 hours, all organic material is consumed by heat and evaporation, and the bone fragments are left behind. These are known as the cremated remains, which are then carefully removed from the chamber and processed into fine particles to be placed in a container or urn for the family.

Question #24Do I need a casket if I choose cremation?
Answer:No, you do not need to purchase a traditional casket. But, for sanitary reasons, crematories usually require a combustible, leak-proof, covered container. Commonly, a relatively-inexpensive cardboard cremation container is all you need to purchase. However there are other, more elegant options available as well. Visit our online cremation container showroom to explore your options.

Question #25How can we memorialize cremation?
Answer:There are many ways to memorialize a decedent after cremation. One option is burial of the urn, marked with a bronze memorial or sculpture. There are also memorialization options available, including keepsake urns, columbarium niches and cremation benches. We can review with you all the choices available to meet the needs of your family or the wishes of your loved one.

Question #26Can I have a visitation period and a funeral service if cremation is chosen?
Answer:By all means, yes. We encourage families to have a gathering – whether it’s a simple visitation, or a more elaborate funeral or memorial service – to support the bereaved and begin to mend the social fabric, torn by the loss of a member of the community.

Question #27What can be done with the cremated remains?
Answer:The cremated remains can be interred in a cemetery plot or retained by a family member -- usually in an urn, scattered on private property or at a place that was important to the deceased. The cremated remains can be scattered at sea, or the skies above a special, well-loved place. You can also incorporate the remains into an artificial reef, to be lowered onto the sea floor. There, your loved one provides sanctuary for sea life for years to come.

There are also elegant ways to memorialize a loved one using small amounts of the cremated remains, including art glass, oil paintings, and man-made diamonds. Or you can take a small amount of the cremated remains to include in a piece of cremation jewelry. Please view our online cremation keepsakes and jewelry selection for inspiration.

Question #28Are the services held before or after cremation?
Answer:Services, or gatherings as they are more commonly being called, are held at the discretion of the family. The service or gathering is a place and time for family and friends to come together to celebrate special memories of the decedent and to support each other during this time of loss. Many choose to have a traditional service first, followed by the cremation. Others may have a memorial service at some point before and/or after the cremation.

Question #29Are special cremation containers and caskets available?
Answer:We offer a wide variety of cremation containers including caskets, alternative containers and urns to meet each family's needs. A cremation casket is a special casket constructed from materials that are environmentally friendly. It appears very similar to burial caskets and may be used for visitation and/or a funeral ceremony or gathering. It is cremated with the decedent. There are also a variety of alternative containers from which to choose.

Question #30How many types of caskets exist, and why are some more expensive than others?
Answer:Caskets are made of either metal (bronze, copper or steel) or wood, and are available in a variety of styles and colors. Prices vary, depending on the exterior and interior materials used. Bronze, a semi-precious metal, is more expensive than steel. Mahogany, a rare hardwood, is more expensive than the readily available softwood pine. There is also the option of adding personal touches to most caskets.

Question #31Can a funeral home assist me with Social Security benefits and Veteran death benefits?
Answer:Yes. In fact, our staff is trained to complete all necessary paperwork to begin the benefits process and will follow through to ensure that the benefits are secured in a timely manner.

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Proudly Serving the Communities of Florence, Roebling, Columbus, Mansfield, Fieldsboro, Springfield, Bordentown, Burlington, Beverly, Willingboro, Edgewater Park, Southampton, Tabernacle, Shamong, Medford, Lumberton, Mt. Holly, Westampton, Eastampton, Hainesport, Pemberton, and Browns Mills and throughout Southern and Central New Jersey
609-499-2900 Dennison Funeral Home - Florence
214 West Front St.
Florence, NJ 08518
Email: dennisonfh@yahoo.com
609-386-4567 Dennison-McGee Funeral Home - Burlington
869 Beverly Rd.
Burlington, NJ 08016
Email: dennisonfh@yahoo.com
609-859-9200 Dennison Funeral Home - Southampton
41 Main St.
Southampton, NJ 08088
Email: dennisonfh@yahoo.com
609-499-2900 Dennison Funeral Homes
214 West Front St.
Florence, NJ 08518
Email: dennisonfh@yahoo.com
609-499-2900 Dennison Funeral Homes
214 West Front St.
Florence, NJ 08518
Email: dennisonfh@yahoo.com