Helpful answers to your cremation questions

• What does a traditional funeral cost? And does it include everything?
  The average cost of a traditional funeral is $6,862.00. General items not included are: The gravesite, grave vault, opening and closing fees, memorial marker, and other related expenses.
• How does Cremation cost compare with typical burial?
  The total costs of a full body burial are about 6-8 times more expensive than a Neptune Society affordable cremation plan.
• If I die overseas, what happens to me? Am I covered if I have a plan?
  
  At Neptune Society, we urge planning for the unanticipated as well as the anticipated. Whether the deceased is brought "home," or distant death arrangements are made, we are ready to help you.
  
  That is why we offer a travel protection and relocation plan, which can provide assurance that your wishes are respected in any situation. It's a Smart Investment to make.
• How does your plan work?
  
  A Call is all it takes to begin the process. We immediately send professionally trained personnel to the place of death to transport the deceased to a climate controlled holding facility for proper care and storage.
  
  By calling us first, we not only safeguard the privacy and dignity of the loved one, but also protect you from additional charges associated with other providers. Additionally, we will also notify the family members you have identified.
• How will I be Cremated?
  
  Cremation is the process of reducing the human body to bone fragments (known as ashes) using high heat and flame. The deceased is placed in a cremation chamber in a combustible container.
  
  All organic matter is consumed by heat and evaporation within approximately 2 hours.
  
  After the cremated remains are removed from the cremation chamber, any large bone fragments are then removed and processed further to reduce their size to uniform particles (ashes).
• Do all religions approve of cremation?
  Most religions in the United States permit Cremation; it is best to consult your religious advisor if you have any questions.
• Is embalming required?
  No. Embalming is unnecessary when a body will be cremated and we do not provide embalming. The decedent is placed in a refrigerated holding facility.
• Is cremation smart and environmentally friendly?
  Yes, Choosing a green cremation shows you are committed to a clean, natural environment that helps preserve the planet's ever-shrinking wilderness and nature preserves, it is a smart decision to make.
  
  A traditional funeral has the body laid out on an embalmers table, bled-out then filled with noxious chemicals. After the viewing, the body is put into a casket made of metal or lacquered wood lined with satin and decorated with brass hinges and handles.
  
  All of those chemicals are plunged into the earth, preventing natural decomposition and leeching toxins into the ground.
  
  For those people who have dedicated their lives to reducing their negative impact on the earth, this can be a less-than-desirable ending.
• Can my family view my body without embalming?
  Yes, the immediate family members can view the deceased prior to cremation in our viewing room.
• Can my ashes be separated for family members?
  Yes, as long as there are separate Urns to put the ashes in.
• What guarantee is there that my family receives my cremated ashes?
  
  We adhere to the strictest identification guidelines in the industry to minimize the possible chance of human error.
  
  To reassure our clients, the entire cremation process is monitored by closed circuit video. Additionally, a numbered metal disc is assigned to the deceased and accompanies the body throughout the cremation process.
  
  The disc stays with the ashes as they are placed in a temporary container, awaiting final disposition by us or by the family.
• What if I have an artificial arm or a pacemaker?
  
  Our licensed personnel and technicians will remove these prior to cremation and return them to the family or dispose of them at the familys request.
• What about jewelry and gold teeth during cremation?
  
  We suggest that no jewelry be cremated with the remains. Jewelry may be placed into the urn after the cremation takes place if requested.
  
  Upon written authorization, we will cremate jewelry. The gold teeth generally oxidize at high temperatures and there will be no gold available after the cremation process.
• What happens if I am an Organ Donor?
  
  We coordinate with all Tissue Banks, however, most organ donations take place at the medical facility in which the death occurs and the hospital arranges for the donation.
• What is Pre-Need?
  Arrangements made before death.
• What is At-Need?
  Arrangements made after death.
• Are Cremation Services popular?
  
  Cremation services are expected to account for approximately 39.03% of all death services in 2010, and 58.89% in 2025.
• How does cremation compare to traditional funeral homes?
  
  We believe that the popularity and acceptance of cremation services will increase in the future for two reasons.
  
  1) The difference in costs between a traditional burial funeral versus affordable Cremation plans.
  
  2) A shift in consumer attitude towards cremation and the perception of value.
  
  3) People being Cremated today is on the rise, up to almost 40%.
  
  4) Cremation is the Smart decision today when it comes to pre-planning..
• Is there a weight limit?
  
  Your weight at time of death determines if there are additional charges. Ask our Family Services Representatives for more information.
• How can I be sure if my funds will be safe?
  
  Your money is placed into a State required trust fund and held and invested according to State law for future need. Trust fund reports are filed with each State where we do business.
• Can I assign my Life Insurance Policy to you for payment?
  
  Yes, You may assign your life insurance policy to pay for cremation services; however, this will not guarantee the price of your pre-need plan with Neptune Society in the future.
  
  The price guarantee is a very important aspect of our specially designed plans. If a plan is set up with installment payments and death occurs with a balance owing, your insurance benefit can then be assigned to pay the remaining balance due.
  
  If you do not have a pre-arranged plan with Neptune Society, you may at time of death use the insurance policy to pay for the at-need services at prices in effect at that time.
• I am a Veteran; can my ashes be buried at Arlington National Cemetery?
  All United States Veterans are entitled to a burial, or have their ashes interred in any National Cemetery that has available space at no charge.
  
  Currently, the Veterans Administration operates 125 national cemeteries, of which 65 are open for new casket interments and 21 are open to accept cremated remains only.
  
  Burial options are limited to those available at a specific cemetery but may include in-ground casket, or interment of cremated remains in a columbarium, in ground or in a scatter garden.
  
  The government runs these programs and benefits may change at any time.
• I served in the Navy; can my ashes be scattered at sea?
  
  Generally, the cremated remains are scattered at sea on a weekly basis. These common scatterings are not open to family members. Family members however, may request for an additional charge this optional burial at sea service. This is a Formal Sea Service priced a la carte.
• Can I use my veteran's benefits if I choose cremation?
  
  Through the Veterans administration, veterans may also be eligible for the following benefits: $300 reimbursement towards your cremation service, free headstones or markers in granite, marble or bronze, presidential memorial certificates.
• Can I use my social security benefits if I choose cremation?
  
  Social security may award benefits to survivors of deceased workers who were covered and fit certain guidelines. Someone has to complete the forms and submit them for benefits, which may not be paid for several months.
• What is the Memorial Reef? Can I be buried there and how?
  
  The Memorial Reef is an awe-inspiring, affordable and smart Memorialization option that is a fitting alternative to traditional burial. An enduring habitat for marine life, the Reef is also a reaffirmation of life after life.
  
  The Neptune Memorial Reef, is a unique man made reef that resembles the legendary Lost City, located just three miles off the coast of Key Biscayne, Florida. The Neptune Memorial Reef is 16 acres in circumference and 40 feet below the surface of the Ocean. The Reef houses the cremated remains of hundreds of people who wanted to forever be a part of the renewal of life.
• What is the process to be buried in the Memorial Reef?
  
  1) Cremated remains are carefully mixed with non-porous cement, sand and water in a mold of your choice.
  
  2) On the day of placement our experienced team of divers takes the formed mold by boat to the reef, carefully completing the process by inserting it into its final location within the reef structure. This can be done with or without the family's participation.
  
  3) When the mold is hardened, a bronze plaque with the name and life dates is fixed to the outside.